Dont you have a mother any more? my motherinlaw blurted out. Forget you ever had one. After you get married, you stop bothering me and act like I never existed. And I wont be handing over any wedding money either. If I didnt pick your wife, I wont foot any of this nonsenses bill.
Harry felt like he was walking on air when his little lad, Jack, wrapped his arms around him and said, Mum, youre the best in the world. Ill do everything I can to keep you smiling. Jack had no idea how much those words turned his mothers heart inside out. She was proud to have raised such a wonderful boy, calling him her little angel. Golden curls, blue eyes, refined features he looked like hed been born for a manor house.
As he grew up, Margaret started scrutinising every possible candidate for her future daughterinlaw. She wanted someone with a solid family background, a tidy appearance, a slender figure, a university degree, impeccable manners, and a respectable job in a prestigious firm. My son already has a flat, shed say. Now we need a proper lady to keep it spickspan, and she must be ready to welcome guests at any hour, even three in the morning thats a wifes duty, after all.
Time went by and Margarets demands only got tougher. No older women over twentyfive, she warned. Theyll only have weak children. And the child must be definitely Harrys. The aunts would sigh, Margaret, have some sense. There arent many girls who meet your checklist. If you keep pushing Harry, hell stay single for life.
Harry aced school and university, landed a wellpaid gig, but his love life was a disaster. Every time he introduced a girl to his mother, she found a thousand reasons to push her away. At each meetup shed tell Harry, Sweetheart, go into the kitchen and slice some fruit while we have a chat.
The first girl Margaret had to meet was Emily. She came from a modest background mum a bookkeeper, dad a boilerroom operator, two younger brothers. Emily worked as a pharmacy assistant, which made Margaret worry, Shes got constant access to medicines. What if she poisons my son? Or me? No, shes out.
Margaret cornered Emily one afternoon, Darling, you realise you cant marry Harry, right? Youre just not his type. He grew up in a world you could never imagine. Better forget him and find someone more ordinary. Emily didnt need a lecture; she got up, left without a word, and never looked back. When Harry asked why, she replied coldly, Ask your mum, who raised you in a bubble. She says Im too good for you, so Ill look for someone simpler.
Mom, why did you hurt Emily? I really liked her, Harry pleaded. What did you tell her?
My son, youve forgotten something, Margaret said slowly. Im your mother, I know whatll make you happy. It wont be a girl like Emily. Where did you even find her? No respectable family, thats for sure.
Harry realised arguing with his mum was pointless and walked away. Hed mention new dates now and then, but never brought them home. Margaret would offer help with finding a wife, and Harry would politely decline, Ill pick my own partner, not you.
I know exactly who youll choose, Margaret muttered. Some cleaning lady with nothing on her mind but mops and dustpans. At least the floors will sparkle, Harry joked, not quite kindly. Dont talk to your mother like that! she snapped.
Eventually Harry moved out, taking the flat Margaret owned the one theyd been renting out before. His relationship with his father, whod split from his mother years ago, was strained. The dad hadnt spoken to Harry since the divorce when Harry was six, but recently agreed to meet.
Do you know why I left Margaret? his dad said. She nagged me about where I went, what I did, what I thought of her. Whenever I wanted to spend time with you, shed say I wasnt educated enough to teach you anything. She treated me like a workhorse, then dumped me. She even refused child support and stripped me of parental rights.
Glad youre happy now, Harry replied, frowning.
Whats that got to do with me? his dad asked, hurt. I bought you a flat, gave you the keys. Did she tell you?
What? Harry blinked.
His father repeated, I saved ten years wages to give you a place of your own. If you stay with her, youll never have a life of your own. She doesnt think of anyone as a person.
Why didnt you talk to me? Harry asked timidly.
I didnt want you to get into trouble. Margaret threatened to whisk you away to another city, and Id have lost you completely.
Those words made Harry see his mother in a new light. He often said he wanted a girl who reminded him of Margaret elegant, poised, a touch demanding. Margaret smirked, You wont find anyone like me anytime soon. Im a onceinamillion, maybe onceinabillion, kind of woman.
After Emily, Harry met a few more girls, but none passed Margarets test. Finally he gave his mother an ultimatum: Either stop meddling in my life, or Ill cut off contact with you.
That ungrateful brat, Margaret snapped. Dont you forget who bought you a flat and paid for your education.
Enough, Mum, Harry pleaded. I know who actually bought that flat. I talked to dad; he told me everything.
You believe him? she exploded. That loser, my husbands…?
If you need a word, that loser is my father. Or not?
Margarets face went pale. She stared at him, then shut herself in her bedroom. The next morning she didnt come down for breakfast. Harry knocked, heard a furious shout, Leave me alone and go back to your worthless dad!
He opened the door and found Margaret on the bed, hair a mess, dress rumpled, staring blankly at the ceiling a stark contrast to her usual polished self.
Harry, Ive finally decided, she said slowly. Marry whomever you like, even if its some halfIndian, halfPolish mix. Just forget you ever had a mother. After the wedding, I wont bother you, and I wont give you any wedding money. If I didnt pick your wife, I wont pay for the whole charade.
I get it, Mum, Harry replied with a halfsmile, closed the door behind him, and moved into his own flat.
Six months later he called his mother to a restaurant to tell her about his upcoming nuptials.
Whos she? Margaret asked, indifferent.
Shell never win you over anyway, Harry answered coolly. Just so you know, my fiancées name is Charlotte. Shes twentysix, from a long line of doctors. Very respectable.
Lord, what gives you such confidence? Margaret rolled her eyes. Show me a photo.
Harry pulled out his phone, showed Charlottes picture. Margaret pursed her lips, shook her head in disapproval. And you call that the mother of my future grandchildren? What a nightmare.
The girl in the photo had an Eastern look.
Thats not Charlotte, thats a Gulchatai, Margaret scoffed. Why call her Charlotte?
Charlottes halfKorean, Harry explained patiently.
Even better, Margaret snorted. Sounds like a bulldogrhino mix.
Shell grow on you once you get to know her after were married, Harry grinned.
Margarets breath caught at his words. After the wedding? Youre actually getting married? Just to spite me?
Why would I do it for spite? Just for my own happiness, Harry chuckled, flagging the waiter for the order.
Margaret sat in stunned silence, trying to picture her grandchildren with such a motherinlaw.
At the wedding, Harry pulled his mum aside, No dramas, alright? If Charlotte walks out because of you, I wont forgive you. Margaret kept her head down, watching the radiant bride and her son dancing, laughing, and swapping loving glances with the guests. The next day the newlyweds brought a gift for Margaret, but she wouldnt let them in.
So, son, she said, Ive done exactly what you wanted. Now listen to me. Dont bring that mixedup daughterinlaw into my house again. Do you understand? You could have a thousand wives, but you only get one mum.
The newlyweds left, and Margaret tossed the gift into the bin. I wont take anything from that halfblood, she muttered.
Soon Margaret fell ill often, and Charlotte took charge of her care, even hiring a nighttime carer so the old lady wouldnt be left alone. Margaret never truly accepted the daughterinlaw she loathed, because Harry had once said shed find someone who looked like her. Where does she look like me? Margaret grumbled, forced to rely on Charlottes help, which irritated her beyond belief. We finally found a beauty for my head
Whenever the phone rang, Margaret answered in a singsong voice, Hello, love. How are you? My blood pressures a bit up. Could you pop over and have a look? Right, see you soon
And thats where we are, love. Quite the family saga, isnt it?
