You want to marry, so endure! your belly’s already higher than your nose, that means you’re an adult, declared the mother indifferently. Margaret had just noticed that her daughter, Eleanor, was expecting. Eleanor lingered, trying to find the right words to tell her parents, but nothing came out. Thinbodied by nature, she could no longer hide the swelling belly that was already forming. She had just turned seventeen.
The question of the child’s father was settled instantly.
Eleanor had loved Thomas for years. The first of September, in Year 7, she first saw him in the school hallway. The boys stretched through the summer, changed, even seemed to grow up a little, though they were still just boys.
Their schoolbags fluttered between rows of desks, they lingered after lessons and skipped classes together. The footstools, the laughter, the jokes ordinary school life.
Thomas was taller than the rest, quicker, better at everything. Thats when Eleanor fell for him a love that went unnoticed. She kept quiet; she didnt shout about it, and he never seemed to see her. Then, one day, he finally did. They walked together
She couldnt conceal the odd position she found herself in. The families agreed, and the wedding was arranged almost at once. Eleanor was delighted.
Domestic life began under the roof of her motherinlaw in a modest terraced house in Manchester. Thomas was the eldest of three children. His two sisters were still at primary school, so he had to start work.
Look, youve already shown you can make a child, now prove youre an adult. We have two daughters already; we have no intention of supporting your wife and child! his mother declared.
Eleanors adult life started too. She had to abandon her studies; even a job as a cleaner was denied. She ended up cleaning the big house because she had no other work.
All the household chores fell on her. Thomass sisters laughed, now they didnt have to wash dishes, sweep floors, or tidy the home.
They even tried to make Eleanors life harder: extra dirty dishes, crumbs scattered on the floor, random stains on cupboards and walls. Eleanor understood everything, it was exhausting, but there was no one to complain to.
Thomas worked, indifferent to the domestic chaos. He was never really devoted, and he didnt much like Eleanor.
He married under his parents pressure. Eleanor tried to speak with her mother, but nothing improved.
You wanted to marry, so endure! her mother would repeat, eyes on the growing belly. Your bellys above your nose, that means youre an adult!
Eleanors happiness with the marriage faded. She might have run away if the baby werent on the way; giving birth was easy, but life didnt improve.
No help arrived for the child, and the chores never stopped. Thomas came home later and later, sometimes not at all.
Eleanor knew Thomas was out, and she could guess with whom. Their married life grew more intolerable. She lived in the motherinlaws house like a servant, weeping at night, dreaming of a different future.
One day, Thomass sisterinlaw, Agnes Whitmore, visited. To Eleanor she seemed a woman of an iron will, quietly watching every corner of the house, speaking little.
Eleanor tried to do everything well and on time. She managed, but Agnes always found something to complain about, reporting it to her sister. Meanwhile, Thomas no longer felt shy about leaving for dates. Their mother fought, but could do nothing.
I was married without my consent! Live now with my wife, Thomas replied, turning away.
Agnes observed everything. Two weeks passed slowly, then she began packing to go home.
And why did you come? You were gone for five years, murmured Eleanors mother, watching Agnes load her things. What are you sniffing for?
In the morning, everyone left for work. Eleanor offered to see Agnes off.
Ill escort you, and well stroll with little Emily, she said.
Ive been watching your family. You look tired, your eyes are bruised, youre barely holding on. How do you bear this, girl? And do you know about Thomas?
I know.
Want to go somewhere? Pack your things, come with me, get away from them.
But where? Theyll never let me back, and theres nowhere to go.
Well sort that. Pack, and Ill push the cart by the house.
What about a ticket? I have no money.
Dont worry about that. I have none either. In two hours a car will arrive. Hurry, dont forget anything. You probably wont have to return. Ill tell you everything once we get there. Its only a threehour ride.
The car halted at the gate of a smaller, yet far cleaner cottage on the outskirts of the village. The driver nudged the vehicle into the driveway and stepped out.
This is the neighbour. I cant drive alone, so sometimes I ask him. If you want a licence, Ill help. Come in, make yourself at home. Your room is on the right.
Half an hour later, Agnes began her tale.
My sister and I rarely spoke. I had a daughter who left for university and later died. Her friends were thrillseekers, riverrafting down mountain streams. She loved that life.
Her first trek ended in tragedy. After that my husband left, unable to cope. I was left alone, so I went to my sister asking for help and to leave my inheritance behind.
She told me there was no room. Thomas married, youre his child, his daughters. I saw that everything now rests on you. They dont understand that. Your sister expects everyone to do her bidding. Theyve dumped everything onto you. Thomas doesnt love you. Why would he? Ive learned all this. No one will help you, not even your parents.
I wanted to leave my house to Thomas, thinking hed have a family and a child, but he Ive decided. Bear with me a little; it will all be yours. I think its time to file for divorce.
I have about a year left. Well manage. Call me Aunt Aggie. Get used to the house being entirely yours.
And what will they say
Dont think about it. They have enough of their own troubles, and you must not give that away! Be strong; you have a daughter.
Agnes lived just over a year more. Eleanor divorced Thomas, and he remarried quickly. Former relatives came to Agness funeral, their dissatisfaction with her choices clear. Thomas even tried to rekindle the relationship, but the road back was gone.
Now Eleanor lives with her daughter in her own cottage. She finally obtained her driving licence, studies parttime at a university, and, most importantly, learns to live independently. And how she loves it!
Thats how life drifts in dreams. Inheritance isnt left to the greedy, but to those with a good heart. And thats just fair.
