I woke to a clatter and saw my motherinlaw rummaging through my nightstand.
Enough, Mum! Daniels voice echoed through the flat. Were adults, well sort it ourselves!
Eleanor stood by the stove, a ladle clenched in her hand. Daniel and his mother had been quarreling for what felt like twenty minutes, and there was no end in sight.
Im your mother, Margaret Whitaker announced from the centre of the kitchen, arms crossed over her chest. And I have the right to know where youre spending your money!
Mum, Im thirtyfive, I have a wife and a child! What does it matter how much I earn or where I put it?
Because somethings odd! Yesterday I visited, the fridge was empty! Eleanor must have forgotten the shop again!
Eleanor shivered at the sound of her own name and turned to the intruder.
Mrs Whitaker, the fridge isnt empty. I simply havent had time to go to the market yet; I was planning to this evening.
Evening? Margaret sneered. You sit at home all day and cant even buy basic provisions!
Im not at home, Im on maternity leave! Little Lucy is only eight months old!
In my day we stayed at home too, but the house was spotless and I made a stew for my husband every night!
Daniel brushed his hand across his face.
Mum, please. Dont start again.
Im not starting, Im speaking the truth! Look at her dishevelled, in a dressing gown until lunch!
Eleanor felt a blush rise. She was indeed in a loose gown, hair tied in a careless bun, but wasnt that expected? She had fed the baby, washed the laundry, hung the sheets, cooked breakfast. Shed had no time for herself.
Mrs Whitaker, perhaps you should go home? You surely have things to do.
My business is watching my son! I didnt raise him any other way!
Mum, thats enough! Go! Daniel seized her elbow. Please, stop making this harder.
Margaret snapped her hand free, grabbed her bag from the table.
Fine, Im leaving! But remember, Daniel, I see whats happening in this house, and sooner or later youll have to sort it out yourself!
She slammed the door shut with a loud bang. Daniel stood in the kitchen, breathing heavily.
Sorry, Ann, he said wearily. Shes been blowing up my phone since dawn and then turned up unannounced.
Its fine, Eleanor replied, returning to the stove. Im used to it by now.
But you cant get used to a motherinlaw who has been meddling since the first day of the wedding. She criticised everything how Eleanor cooked, how she cleaned, how she dressed, how she raised the child. She arrived without warning, inspected the fridge, peeked into cupboards.
Daniel tried to defend his wife, but only feebly. He couldnt outright push his own mother away. And Eleanor endured. What else could she do?
They had been married four years. Theyd met at the accounts department of a factory in Manchester. Daniel was a department head, Eleanor a junior accountant. He courted her with roses and dinners out. She fell in love, truly, for the first time.
The motherinlaw had disliked her from the start. At their first meeting shed examined Eleanor from head to toe and said, Well, Daniel chose a modest one. Id hoped for someone else. Eleanor never learned who that someone else was.
After the wedding the nitpicking began. Margaret turned up with inspections, finding dust in corners, soup that wasnt salty enough, dishes left unwashed. She lectured on how to love a husband, how to run a home.
At first Daniel intervened, then grew accustomed. Hed wave a hand and mutter, Thats mum for you, cant help it.
But how can you ignore it when the motherinlaw calls every day? Whats for dinner? What are you feeding your husband? Why does he look exhausted? She implied Eleanor was a bad wife, not caring for her man.
When Eleanor became pregnant, the scrutiny intensified. Margaret monitored every move: what she ate, which vitamins she took, how often she visited the doctor. After Lucys birth the motherinlaw practically moved in, arriving daily to demonstrate how to swaddle, how to bottlefeed, how to rock the baby.
Eleanor endured for Daniels sake, for the family, but her strength was waning.
One night, when Lucy finally fell asleep, Eleanor lay down next to Daniel on the sofa.
Dan, its hard, she confessed. Your mother has no sense of boundaries.
I know, he wrapped his arms around her. But what can I do? She lives alone, shes lonely.
Loneliness isnt an excuse to intrude.
Were not strangers to her. Im her son.
And I am who?
Daniel sighed.
Ann, lets not argue. Im exhausted.
Eleanor fell silent. He was tired, but she was also spent a whole day with a baby, cooking, cleaning, laundry, then Margarets accusations. Yet Daniel could not see it; his work and stress left little room.
She got up, went to the kitchen, finished the cold supper, washed the dishes, checked Lucy she slept peacefully, snuffling. She returned to the bedroom. Daniel was already asleep. She lay beside him, pulling the blanket up, eyes closing, but sleep would not come. Thoughts of the motherinlaw swirled, of her sharp words, of the certainty she would be back tomorrow.
A rustle awoke Eleanor. She opened her eyes to a darkened room; the clock read half past five in the morning. What was that noise?
From the bedroom came a soft shuffling, as if someone were riffling through papers or sorting things. Lucy? No, the baby was still in the cot, too young to be moving. Daniel? He lay still, unmoving.
Eleanor propped herself up on her elbow. The sound came from the nightstand in the corner, where she kept underwear, documents, little trinkets.
In the dim light a figure loomed, a woman bending over the open drawer, fingers sifting through the contents.
Eleanor froze, disbelief thick in her throat. Who was this? How had she gotten inside?
The figure turned, and under the streetlight spilling through the curtains, Eleanor recognized Margaret Whitaker.
Her motherinlaw was digging through her nightstand at six oclock, in their bedroom.
Eleanor sat, eyes locked on the intruder, heart hammering. What was happening?
Mrs Whitaker? Eleanor managed. What are you doing?
Margaret snapped the drawer shut, a flash of alarm in her eyes before composure returned.
Oh, I just woke up, she said as if nothing were amiss. Didnt mean to disturb you.
What are you doing in my nightstand? Eleanor asked, rising.
I was looking for a tissue. My nose was blocked, wanted to blow it.
Those are in the kitchen, not here.
I didnt know, Margaret snapped the drawer closed. Thought Id look.
Eleanor stepped closer, staring intently.
How did you get into the flat?
I have a key. Daniel gave it to me when Lucy was born, just in case.
And you chose six in the morning to use it?
Im an early riser. Wanted to help with the granddaughter so you could sleep.
Help by rummaging through my things?
Margaret straightened, a defensive stance taking over.
I wasnt digging! I was looking for tissues!
Which tissues? Youre in my underwear drawer!
Youre out of line, how dare you speak to me like that?
Daniel stirred, eyes fluttering open.
Whats going on? he mumbled.
Ask your mother! Eleanor snapped, voice rising. Shes in my nightstand at six!
Daniel sat up, rubbing his eyes.
Mother? What are you doing here?
I came to help, Margaret pouted. And now Im being accused of theft!
I never said you were a thief! Eleanor retorted. I asked what you were doing in my nightstand!
Looking for tissues! Margaret repeated, louder.
What tissues?! Eleanor cried. Do you think Im an idiot? You came purposely to poke around my stuff!
Lucy wailed from the next room, startled by the shouting. Eleanor scooped her up, soothing the infant.
Shh, love, its all right, she whispered, rocking her.
The argument continued in the bedroom. Daniel questioned his mother, she defended herself. Fragments of dialogue floated past the closed door.
Dan, Im really just trying to help…
Mum, why the nightstand?
I wasnt! Shes making it up!
Eleanor reentered, cradling Lucy.
Dan, Im not imagining. I saw you go through my things. Its true.
Margaret sat on the edge of the bed, pleading. I truly was looking for tissues. I went to the bedside table, didnt find them, opened the drawer. Thats all.
My underwear! In that drawer! What does that have to do with tissues?
I couldnt see in the dark!
Lies! You came here to snoop!
Daniel grabbed his coat.
Enough! Im going to my mothers. Well talk when youve cooled down.
Where are you going? Eleanor asked.
To my mum. Ill ask her what really happened.
Ask her why she was in my nightstand!
Daniel slammed the door. Eleanor was left alone, head in her hands, wondering what had become of her life.
He returned late, around eleven. Eleanor lay in bed, eyes wide, not sleeping.
So? she asked.
He said you misunderstood. She really was looking for tissues, couldnt find them in the kitchen, thought they might be on the nightstand.
Shes lying.
Why would my mother lie?
Eleanor froze, his voice edged with suspicion.
Because she doesnt want to admit she was spying on me!
Why spy?
I dont know! Maybe she thinks Im hiding something from you!
Daniel sat on the bed.
Hiding?
Eleanor stared at him, the room heavy with unsaid words.
Its not my mother, he said. Shes not a stranger.
For me she is.
He stood, the tension snapping.
Fine, Ill take the keys back.
What?
Ill ask her to return them.
Why?
If you ever need them, youll know.
Eleanor felt the world tilt. He left for his mothers flat, the hallway echoing with his steps. She clutched Lucy, the babys soft breathing a thin veil over the night.
The next morning Daniel left for work without a goodbye. Eleanor spent the day drifting, halfasleep, feeding Lucy, washing dishes, pondering the nights intrusion.
What had Margaret been looking for? Money? She never kept cash at home, only a few coins. Papers? Those were in a different drawer.
That evening, after Lucy slept, Eleanor inspected the nightstand thoroughly, emptying every compartment, confirming nothing was missing. Yet the feeling of violated space lingered, a ghostly chill.
She called her own mother.
Its not normal, her mother said. You need to put your motherinlaw in her place.
How? Daniel defends her.
Talk seriously to Daniel. Explain this cant continue.
I tried. He thinks Im making it up.
Maybe change the lock? So the key wont work.
Eleanor hesitated. Daniel would object, saying the key was for emergencies.
Im scared itll turn into a big fight, she admitted.
My dear, you have a right to your own space. No one should be rummaging through your things without permission.
She resolved to act. When Daniel came home, she fed him dinner, then sat opposite him.
Dan, we need to talk.
He glanced at his phone.
About your mother.
The nightstand incident.
He sighed.
Weve already covered this.
No, we havent. You just brushed it off.
It was a simple help.
Help by digging through my underwear!
I didnt do that.
I saw it, Daniel. I was halfasleep, but I saw her.
He rubbed his face.
Okay, suppose she did open the drawer. Maybe she really was after tissues.
In a drawer of underthings?
Who knows.
Youre defending her, not me.
Im not defending. I just dont get why youre so worked up.
Its an invasion of my privacy! She entered our home unannounced at dawn and poked around my things!
Its not the first time shes come. You never objected then.
She came in daylight, when we were aware! Not sneaking in at sunrise!
He stood, angry.
Thats enough, Ann. Im tired of this. Mum was trying to help, you made a scene. Lets end it.
No, I want you to take her keys away.
What?
I want the key back, so she can only come when were home and we agree.
Youre joking?
No.
He laughed, a short, bitter chuckle.
Its my mother. She should have access to our granddaughter.
She will, when we let her.
No, I wont let her.
He stared at her, disbelief.
Youre serious about changing the lock?
Yes. To stop her from entering without permission.
Silence stretched. He looked at her, the weight of the question hanging.
You understand what youre asking?
I do. I need my boundaries respected.
He shook his head.
Fine, Ill talk to her.
Later that night, after a long day, Daniel returned, looking pale.
So? Eleanor asked.
He said you misunderstood. She really was looking for tissues, couldnt find them, thought they might be on the nightstand.
Shes lying.
He thinks youre overreacting.
The letter came today, Eleanor said, holding a plain envelope with no return address. She opened it, reading the cramped script:
Ann, Im sorry. I did rummage through your nightstand. I was looking for proof that you were cheating on me. A neighbour said she saw you with a man by the lift. I wanted to protect my son. I was wrong. Youre a good mother, a good wife. Forgive this foolish old woman. Margaret.
She showed Daniel the letter. He read, his face paling.
Mum she really thought I was cheating?
Who did she say she saw?
Probably the electrician. He was checking the meter; we talked on the pavement.
Daniel lowered his head.
Im sorry, he whispered. I should have believed you from the start.
I should have trusted you.
He looked up, eyes heavy.
My mother sometimes overprotects me, fears Ill be fooled.
You think Im a threat?
Your mother thinks I might be, but she crossed my boundaries, digging into my life, and you defended her.
What do I do now?
Its your choice, but I need you to pick a side.
Im on your side, Ann. Always have been.
It wasnt. You chose your mother.
I wont do that again. I promise.
She wanted to believe, but Daniels promises often fell short.
Margaret turned up for Lucys first birthday, quietly, with a modest gift, staying clear of arguments, then left early. Eleanor walked her to the door.
Thank you for the letter, she said. For your honesty.
Forgive me, Margaret took her hand. I was a fool, listening to gossip instead of talking to you.
You didnt trust me from the start.
I was scared of losing my son. Hes my only child. When he married, I felt him slipping away.
He didnt leave. He built a family.
I know now. I just didnt understand then.
They fell silent.
Margaret, lets try anew, Eleanor suggested. Lets try to build something normal.
Margaret nodded, wiping a tear.
Okay. Ill try.
Ill try too.
From then on, Margarets criticism softened. She visited only when invited, helped with Lucy, but no longer imposed herself. Eleanor, in turn, began to include her, ask advice on small things, share news. Trust was still fragile, but respect grew.
Daniel smiled, relieved to see the two most important women in his life finally getting along.
And Eleanor learned that defending ones boundaries, no matter how painful, was essential. Otherwise youre trampled and lose yourself. Yet once the borders are set, healthy, equal relationships can blossom.
The nightstand episode taught her never to stay silent when something felt wrong. Speak up, demand, insist. Only then can you keep yourself and your family intact.
