Youre done with your mother! shouted the motherinlaw.
Forget you ever had a mother. After youre married, youll stop bothering me and act as if I never existed. I wont even give you any wedding money. If I didnt pick your wife, I wont foot the bill for this charade.
Theresa felt a surge of happiness whenever her little boy, Sam, wrapped his arms around her and said,
Mum, youre the best in the world. Ill do everything to keep you smiling.
Sam had no idea how his simple words turned his mothers heart inside out. She was proud to have raised such a wonderful child, an angel she liked to call him. His golden curls, blue eyes and flawless features seemed aristocratic. As he grew, Theresa used his appearance as a yardstick for any prospective daughterinlaw. She demanded a spotless pedigree, impeccable looks, a slender figure, a university degree, flawless manners, a respectable job in a prestigious firm, and a wellconnected social circle.
My son already has a flat in Manchester. Now we need a lady who can keep it immaculate and be ready to welcome guests at any hour, even three in the morning. Thats her duty as a wife and housekeeper.
Time passed, and Theresas demands only hardened.
No older woman over twentyfive. Shed only bear a frail child. And we must be certain the child is Sams.
Theresa, have a little mercy, relatives would beg. No girl today meets those standards. If you want Sam to marry soon and have children, let go of your endless meddling. Otherwise hell stay a bachelor forever.
Sam graduated with top marks from school and university, landed a wellpaid job in a London finance firm, yet his love life was a mess. Every time he introduced a potential partner to his mother, she invented a thousand reasons to reject her.
At each meeting shed tell Sam,
Sam, could you slice some fruit in the kitchen while we chat?
The first woman Theresa encountered was Emily. Emily came from a modest background: a mother who worked as an accountant, a father who was a furnace operator, and two younger brothers. Emily was a pharmacy assistant, which made Theresa uneasy.
So she has constant access to medicines. What if she poisoned my son? Or me? she muttered. And her family are labourers; we cant have that.
Sweetheart, you understand you cant marry Sam, dont you? Theresa snapped when she was alone with Emily. Youre too different. He grew up in a world youve never known. Find someone more ordinary.
Emily left without a word, not even saying goodbye to Sam. When he asked why, she replied coldly,
Ask your mother, who raised you in those special circumstances. She says Im too good for you, and you should look for someone simpler.
Mum, why did you hurt Emily? I really like her. What did you say?
Son, youve forgotten something, Theresa said slowly. I am your mother and I know best who can make you happy. But not Emily, definitely not her. Where did you even find such a lowborn girl? It seems theres no one from a respectable family left.
Sam realized arguing with his mother was futile and walked away. He sometimes mentioned meeting new women but never brought them home. Occasionally Theresa offered to help him start a family, but he politely declined,
Ill choose my own wife.
I know who youll pick, Theresa muttered. Youll bring home a cleaner who knows nothing but mops and dusters.
At least the floors will shine, Sam joked darkly.
Dont talk to me like that! she snapped.
Sam retreated to his room. Eventually he moved out of his mothers house into the flat she owned, which they had been renting out together.
His father, who had separated from his mother years ago, had been out of touch since Sam was six. Recently, the father agreed to meet.
You know why I left Theresa? She never gave me any freedom. She monitored my every move, where I went, what I said about her. When I tried to spend time with you, shed accuse me of being uneducated, of not being able to teach you anything. Why did she even want children with me? I was just a producer, a means to an end. I eventually thought, why waste my life on a madwoman who never cared for me? I left, she refused alimony and even stripped me of parental rights.
And youre happy now? Sam frowned.
Why do you ask? his father replied, hurt. I bought you a flat and gave you the keys. Did she tell you?
What? Sam was stunned.
I saved for ten years to give you a place of your own. Do not ever stay with her, or youll have no life of your own. She doesnt value anyone as a person.
Why didnt you talk to me before? Sam asked tentatively.
I didnt want you to get into trouble. Theresa threatened to take you to another city, and Id never see you again. So I watched from a distance.
His fathers words made Sam look at his mother differently. She had always been the best to him, and he often said he wanted a partner who reminded him of her. Theresa smiled condescendingly, thinking hed never find anyone like herone in a million, if not a billion.
After Emily, Sam met several other women, but none satisfied Theresa. Finally, Sam set a condition for his mother:
Either you stop meddling in my life, or Ill cut off contact with you.
You ungrateful brat, Theresa snapped. Who do you think youre talking to? I bought you a home, paid for your education. How dare you?
Mum, stop, Sam pleaded. I know who really paid for that flat. I spoke with Dad; he told me everything.
And you believe him? his mother exploded. Not my own son, but some loser?
If you must know, that loser is my father.
Theresas face turned pale. She stared at him with disdain and shut herself in her room. The next morning she didnt come down for breakfast. Sam knocked, hearing a furious shout from inside:
Leave me alone and go back to your worthless dad!
Mum, why are you like this? Sam entered her bedroom. She lay on the bed, hair tangled, dress rumpled, staring blankly at the ceiling. It was a stark contrast to her usual immaculate appearance, fresh perfume and perfectly styled outfits.
You know, son, Ive figured something out, she said slowly. Marry whomever you like, even a Papuan with a penguinnose hybrid. Just forget you ever had a mother. After the wedding, stop bothering me and pretend I never existed. I wont even give you any wedding money. If I didnt choose your wife, I wont pay for this farce.
Got it, Mum, Sam replied with a mock bow, gently closing the door behind him. That very day he moved into the flat he now owned.
Six months later Sam invited his mother to a restaurant to announce his upcoming marriage.
And who is she? Theresa asked indifferently.
Whoever she is, you wont like her, Sam answered coolly. I just want you to know my fiancées name is Lily. Shes twentysix, from a long line of doctors. A very respectable girl.
Lord, where did you get such confidence in her worthiness? his mother rolled her eyes. Show me a photo.
Sam pulled out his phone and displayed Lilys picture. Theresa pursed her lips and shook her head disapprovingly.
And this is the future mother of my grandchildren? What a fright!
The woman in the photo had an unmistakably Asian look.
Thats not Lily, its a girl named Gulnaz, isnt it? Why call her Lily?
Lily is half Korean, Sam explained patiently.
Even better, Theresa scoffed. Like a bulldogrhino mix.
Youll like her once you get to know her after the wedding, Sam smiled.
Theresas breath caught at his words.
After the wedding?! Youre really getting married? Just to spite me?
Why would I do that? For my own happiness, Sam grinned, calling over a waitress to place an order.
Theresa sat in shock, trying to picture what her grandchildren would look like with such a mother. The mental image was unsettling.
At the wedding, Sam approached his mother and said firmly,
No drama, please. If Lily leaves me because of you, Ill never forgive you, understand?
Theresa had to keep quiet, sitting as low as the grass. She watched the radiant bride, glowing with genuine joy, as Sam and Lily exchanged vows, received congratulations, danced, and shared loving glances. The next day the newlyweds brought a treat for Theresa, but she refused to let them in.
Listen, son, Ive obeyed all your wishes. Now hear mine. Dont bring that halfbreed into my house again. Do you understand? You may have a thousand wives, but you only have one mother.
The couple left, and Theresa tossed the gift into the bin.
I wont take anything from this mixedblood woman, she muttered angrily.
After that, Theresas health began to fail. Lily, ever the caring daughterinlaw, took charge of her care, arranging night and day carers so the elderly woman wouldnt be left alone. Theresa never managed to accept Lily, still raging about the comparison.
You said youd find someone like me, where is the likeness? Theresa complained, realizing she now depended on Lilys help, which irritated her beyond measure.
When the phone rang, Lily answered in a gentle voice,
Hello, dear. My blood pressures a bit jumpy. Could you pop over and check on me?
Theresa, forced to swallow her pride, agreed.
In the end, the strife between mother and son taught an essential truth: love cannot be owned or controlled, and trying to shape anothers happiness only breeds bitterness. True peace comes from respecting each others choices and letting relationships grow naturally.
