Youve got no mother left! my motherinlaw snapped at me. Forget you ever had a mum. After you get married, youll stop bothering me, act as if I never existed, and I wont even cough up a penny for the wedding. If I didnt pick your bride, I wont foot the bill for this whole charade.
Sam felt on top of the world whenever his little son, Tommy, clung to his leg and said, Mum, youre the best ever. Ill do everything I can to keep you smiling. He had no idea how those words turned his mothers heart inside out. She was proud as a peacock to have raised such a wonderful lad, calling him her little angel. Golden curls, blue eyes, a perfectly chiseled little face he oozed aristocratic charm. As he grew, his mum used that pride to set an everhigher bar for any future daughterinlaw. She demanded a spotless pedigree, a wellkept appearance, a trim figure, a university degree, impeccable manners, and a respectable job in a topclass firm, preferably with a decent salary and the right social connections.
The flats already mine, shed say, so we need a proper lady to keep it immaculate and be ready to welcome guests at any hour thats a wifes duty, after all. Her expectations only hardened with time. No girls over twentyfive, theyll only produce weak babies. And the child must be Sams, without a doubt.
Mrs. H., youve got to relax, her sisters would warn. We dont have any young women who meet your standards these days. If you want Sam to settle down soon, quit meddling, or youll end up with a lifelong bachelor.
Sam aced school and university, landed a wellpaid role in a finance firm, but his love life was a disaster. Every time he introduced a new girlfriend to his mum, she found a thousand reasons to turn her away. At each meeting shed order, Sam, go fetch us some fruit, and well have a little chat while you work.
The first girl Sam brought home was Annie. She came from a modest background mum a accounts clerk, dad a boilerroom worker, two younger brothers. Annie worked as a pharmacy assistant, which made Maggie (thats what Sams mum now called herself) raise an eyebrow. So she has constant access to medicines. What if she poisons my son? Or me? No way, shes not up to snuff. Plus, her family are labourers we dont need that.
Sweetheart, you cant marry Sam, Maggie hissed when she and Annie were alone. Youre worlds apart. He grew up in a proper environment; youve never even dreamed of that. Forget him and find someone more ordinary.
Annie didnt need any more explanation. She stood up, left without a word, and didnt even say goodbye to Sam. When he asked why, she shrugged. Ask your mum, who raised you in a bubble. She thinks Im not good enough for her perfect son.
Ma, why did you push Annie away? I liked her, really liked her. What did you tell her?
Sams mother replied slowly, Im your mother, love. I know what will make you happy. Its not some Annie, thats for sure. Where did you even find that sort of? No respectable family came to mind.
Sam realised arguing with his mum was pointless and walked away. Hed sometimes mention a new girlfriend to her, but never brought her home. Maggie would offer to set him up, but Sam politely refused, Thats my future wifes job, not yours. Ill choose myself.
Dont you dare talk to me like that! Maggie would snap. If you bring a cleaning lady into the house, shell only know how to mop and dust.
At least shell polish the floors to a shine, Sam would grin.
Eventually Sam decided to move out. He took the flat Maggie owned theyd been renting it out and set up his own place.
His dad, whod split from Sams mum years ago, hadnt spoken to Sam since the boy was six. Recently, though, he agreed to meet.
I left your mother because she was a controlfreak, the father confessed. She monitored every move, every thought. When I tried to spend time with you, shed yell that I could never teach you anything useful because I didnt have a degree. She treated me like a beast of burden, then dumped me. She refused alimony and stripped me of parental rights.
Happy now? Sam asked, brow furrowed.
Why are you being like this? his dad snapped. I bought you a flat, handed you the keys. Did she tell you?
What? Sam stared.
I saved ten years wages so youd have a roof over your head. If you stay with her, you wont have a life of your own. She doesnt think of anyone but herself.
Why didnt you ever talk to me? Sam asked, unsure.
I didnt want you to get into trouble. Maggie threatened to whisk you away to another town, and Id lose sight of you. So I kept my distance.
Those words shifted Sams view of his mother. She was still his best mum, and he often said hed look for a partner who reminded him of her in some way. Maggie would smile condescendingly, You wont find anyone like me anytime soon. Im a oneinamillion, maybe a oneinabillion lady.
After Annie, Sam met a string of other girls, but none passed Maggies gauntlet. Finally he gave her an ultimatum: Either you stop meddling in my life, or Ill cut you out completely.
What ungrateful brat, Maggie fumed. Who do you think you are? I bought you a house, paid for your education. How dare you speak to me like that?
Enough, Mum, Sam pleaded. I know who actually bought that flat. I spoke to Dad, he told me everything.
And you believe him? Maggie exploded. Not my own son, but some loser?
That loser is my father, Sam answered. Or not?
Maggies face turned a shade of pink. She gave him a cold stare and shut herself in her room. The next morning she didnt come down for breakfast. Sam knocked, hearing her shout, Leave me alone and go back to your worthless dad!
Mum, why are you like this? Sam opened the door, stepping inside. She lay on the bed, hair in disarray, wrinkled nightdress, staring vacantly at the ceiling a stark contrast to her usual polished appearance and expensive perfume.
Sam, Ive figured something out, she said slowly. Marry whoever you want, I dont care. Even a bloke halfPapua New Guinean, halfPenguin, halfIndian rhino go ahead. Just forget you ever had a mother. After the wedding, dont bother me, act as if I never existed. And I wont give you a penny for the reception. If I didnt pick your bride, I wont pay a cent for this farce.
I get you, Mum, Sam said, bowing playfully and closing the door behind him. That very day he moved into his own flat.
Six months later he called his mum to a nice restaurant, ready to drop the news.
So whos the lucky lady? Maggie asked, nonchalant.
No matter who she is, youll hate her, Sam replied coolly. Just so you know, her names Lily, shes twentysix, from a long line of doctors. Proper sort.
Good heavens, where do you get such confidence? Maggie rolled her eyes. Show me a picture.
Sam pulled out his phone and showed a photo. Maggie pursed her lips, shook her head in disapproval.
And this is the future mother of my grandchildren? What a nightmare. The girl in the picture looked distinctly EastAsian.
Whats her name then? Lily?
Shes halfKorean, Sam explained patiently.
Even better, Maggie snorted. Sounds like a bulldogrhino mix.
Shell grow on you once you get to know her after were married, Sam smiled.
Maggies breath caught at his words. After the wedding?! Youre actually getting married? Just to spite me?
Why would I do that? Because it makes me happy, Sam laughed, flagging a waitress to place the order.
Maggie sat in stunned silence, trying to picture what her grandchildren would look like an image that made her head spin.
At the wedding, Sam walked over to his mum, laying down the law. No drama, okay? If Lily walks out because of you, Ill never forgive you, got it?
Maggie had to keep quiet, like a mouse in a field. She watched as the radiant bride and her beaming son took congratulations, joined in games, and danced the night away, stealing glances at each other. The next morning the newlyweds arrived with a basket of treats for her, but she wouldnt let them in.
So, son, Maggie said, Ive done exactly what you asked. Now listen to me. Dont bring that halfblood back to my house, I dont want to see her. Do you understand? You could have a thousand wives, but youll only ever have one mother.
The couple left, and Maggie tossed the basket into the bin. I wont take anything from that mixedblood, she muttered.
After that, Maggie fell ill often, and Lily took charge of her care. Sometimes Sam hired a nighttime carer so his mother wouldnt be left alone. Maggie never quite accepted Lily, still spitting out, You said youd find someone who looked like me. Wheres the resemblance? Being dependent on Lilys help grated on her nerves.
When the phone rang, Lilys cheerful voice came through: Hello, Lily. How are you? My pressures a bit up, could you drop by? Thanks, love.
And thats where we are a bit of a mess, but at least everyones looking after each other, even if Mums still a bit prickly.
