Enough, dear guestshave you had your fill? Are you satisfied? Did I serve you well? Julia Thompson asked, rising to the head of the long dining table.
Indeed, sister, said Bernard, with a satisfied grin. Youre as brilliant as ever!
Totally agree! chimed Natalie, his sister. We learned to cook together with Mum, yet I never manage something as tasty as this. No wonder I always ask you to handle the food at my celebrations!
Mom, whispered Emma, and Im still stuck in the gym for ages, but I just cant stop!
Mom, Ill send my wife over so you can teach her a thing or two, Andrew joked.
Thats why I married you, Victor declared, letting out a hearty belch. Excuse us!
Consider it done, then! Julia beamed. She paused, the smile fading from her face, and announced, Everyone, out of my house!
It was the last dinner she would ever prepare for them, the final time she would bend over backwards. I never want to see or hear from you again! she shouted, snatching the massive salad bowl from the table and hurling it to the floor with a crash.
Enough, you little brats! The dancings over, she snarled, a harsh grin twisting her lips. I wont let anyone ride me any longerespecially not you!
A heavy silence settled over the room, the guests stunned. No one expected such a reaction from Juliaalways calm, helpful, obedient.
Are you serious? Victor demanded, only to receive a swift slap from his wife.
Call an ambulance, shes having a fit! Natalie exclaimed.
Julia lifted the empty wine decanter, eyes flashing. Whoever reaches for the phone will get a piece of me! And why are you all frozen? Get up, runmy insatiable little gremlins!
Julia! Bernard barked. As your older brother, I tell you to calm down and pull yourself together.
No! Julia replied, smiling wildly. Im done serving you! I wont cater, I wont run around for anyone who cant do things themselves. Thats enough!
Whats wrong with you? Victor asked, rubbing his reddening cheek. Everything was fine!
I didnt gather you all for nothing, Julia said, sinking into her chair and leaning back. Your arrogance has crossed every linealready for ages! Your last stunt showed just how bold youve become, and I wont have you in my life any longer.
It wasnt us, Andrew muttered. Exactly, dear son!
***
People say a life should be lived rightly, but what does right really mean? Everyone seems to have their own answer.
Julia had spent fortyfive years convinced she was living correctly. She could hardly find fault with herself. The third child in her family, with one older brother and a younger sister, she pleased her parents, adored her brother, and got on with her sister. She finished school, found work, never reached for the stars, but never settled for less either.
She married, had two children, was a faithful and loving wife, never quarreled without cause, and a good mother. She raised her kids, educated them, and sent them out into the world. Even as an adult she kept close ties with her brother and sisterhelping, celebrating, sharing troubles, and sharing joys. People called her kind, caring, smart, and understanding. Thats why she believed shed lived rightlyuntil, at fortyfive, she felt utterly abandoned at the bleakest moment.
***
The results are in, Ms. Thompson, the doctor said after lunch. No contraindications. Shall we schedule the operation?
Of course, doctor, Julia replied, her voice heavy. The decisions already made.
I understand, the doctor noted, seeing her dejection, but we must be cautious
Book it, Julia waved her hand. The sooner we start, the sooner we finish.
Very well, the doctor noted in her notes. Youll have dinner tonight, nothing tomorrow, and the operation the day after.
He turned to the next patient, a woman named Catherine. Your results need further review, he said.
Alright, Dr. OLeary, Catherine replied.
When the doctor left, Catherine asked, Why so gloomy, Julia? Scared of the surgery?
Its part of it, Julia nodded, glancing at her phone. My husband, she trailed off.
Catherine chuckled. Hell probably be off singing somewhere, thinking the kids will be with their mother while he throws a party. Hell sort it out later, I guess. Maybe even skip it altogether.
According to his last voicemail, hes already grown tall, Julia pursed her lips. He knows I have an operation! He should at least show some support. Instead, hes out with his mates, drinking.
Ah, men, Catherine sighed. Theyre like catsalways chasing mice.
Its still hurtful, Julia said. Uterus removal is serious. A little encouragement would have meant the world. I told him I was terrified and needed his support, yet after I left, he sent two short texts and then went silent.
Catherine, a decade younger, lacked the experience to comfort her, so the conversation faded.
Julia skipped dinner, taking nothing with her, knowing she would need to fast before the operation. She lay quietly, staring at the ceiling, recalling the time her coworker Vasili broke his leg twice. Shed visited him daily, bringing homecooked meals and clean clothes, staying until midnight before finally getting home. When he was released, she took leave to helplike a squirrel in a wheel, never stopping.
She never refused her husband helpcarrying water, feeding him from a spoon, washing, shaving, petting the cat.
Why does he treat me like this? Julia asked when Catherine returned from her own dinner.
Not just yours, Catherine smiled. Theyre all the sameconsumers. Do they teach them at school how to sit on a ladys lap?
Ive been pushing for three years at work, finding betterpaying jobs through contacts. He never liked any of it. He only started working when I threatened divorce and alimony!
My husband works, Julia said.
Your husbands a different breed, Catherine gestured. Theyre all exploiters. If you dont leash them early, theyll sit on your neck, swipe your shoes, and run off. Thats what Ive learned.
Julia began to realise her husband was like butter on toastsoft, smooth, and completely dependent on her.
Am I overreacting? she asked. Is my anxiety about the surgery making me think worse?
Both can coexist, Catherine replied. The fact you hear no kind words from him is obvious. My own husband calls daily, brings fruit juices, sends sweet texts.
Julia turned away, pulling the blanket over her head.
***
Going hungry for a day, even when you need to, is hard. Julia tried to distract herself with conversation, but after a morning of tests, Catherine only popped in briefly between examinations.
Phone in hand, Julia thought, Relatives will chat to pass the time. Her son Andrew didnt answer; he only sent a message promising to call back. Her daughter Emma missed two calls, then her number became unreachable.
Good kids, Julia murmured, confused.
They dont pick up? Catherine asked, catching her breath.
Imagine! Julia replied. Is it that hard to answer your mother?
Adults? Catherine laughed. They already live separately.
Forget them, mum, Julia said. Youll only see them when you need something. Like fledgling birds that have left the nest, only a gust of wind will carry them back.
My eldest, sixteen, barely notices me now. If they live apart, parents become unnecessaryonly showing up for funerals!
No, thats not true! We have a wonderful relationship, Julia insisted.
So why dont they answer?
Catherine hurried off, leaving Julia to ponder.
It really is that simplejust a minute to call your mother, Julia thought. All their recent visits were just to ask for money, not out of love.
It was a bleak realisation, but Catherine was right: The fledglings have flown. They now lived their own lives, thinking of their parents only when they needed something.
Julia tried calling her husband again. No answer. She left a message, which stayed unread.
Ah, Vasili, Vasili! she muttered. If only youd show up more often!
By evening he finally messaged, Where are our savings? The pay is finished, weve got nothing to live on! Hed actually been paid three days earlier.
Nevertheless! Julia thought, A feast of cake, wine flowing! Yet she didnt reply. If he had at least hinted that he worried about her, she would have said something. Instead, she let him sort it out alone.
Her brother Bernard answered a call but said he was busy and hung up.
Typical, Julia said.
Catherine wasnt there, so Julia got no reaction. She remembered the six months shed lived between two houses after Bernards wife left him, abandoning their children. Julia had cared for those kidsminding the mother, the cook, the cleaner, everythinguntil Bernard found a new partner. Shed also mediated conflicts, as Bernard demanded love for his children while she wanted her own, and their desires clashed.
For a year and a half I tried to keep the peace, and not a word of thanks came. And now hes busy again. When Julia called him later that night, only a short ring and a click.
Thanks for the black list, brother! she thought. He also knew about her upcoming operation. When he asked to take the kids for a month, Julia declined, citing the surgery.
Her sister Natalie gave her just five minutes, barely asking about her health: When will you be back on your feet? My husbands relativesabout ten peopleare coming. Well house them in a hotel, but we need to feed them at home, big time! All hope rests on you!
I dont know, Nat, Julia answered. The operation is serious. Two to three weeks in hospital, then a recovery period. Doctors say up to fifty days.
No, no, sis! This cant wait! You must be ready in three weeks, like a soldier! Its my husbands familymore important than anything else!
Im scared, Julia whispered.
Come on, stop being dramatic! Chopchop, Ive got to run! Natalie snapped.
Julia felt the sting of her sisters words. What if the operation has complications? Who knows? I havent even learned to cook a proper dish in fifty years!
Natalie kept calling on their younger sister to do the cooking for her guestscolleagues, her husbands friends, any celebration. Julia hadnt set foot near the stove for days, yet no one ever invited her to sit at the table.
What, you think? Natalie scolded. It was a strangers party!
Julias preparation for that foreign crowd hadnt been taken into account.
The operation went smoothly, but the hospital kept her for another two weeks. She didnt call anyone, waiting for someone to think of her. No one didno husband, no children, no brother, no sister.
She thought a lot, until she reached a decisive moment.
Julia, what nonsense are you spouting? Bernard shouted. Did they remove a piece of your brain with the uterus?
Now you remembered! Julia laughed. I thought no one would ever recall me!
She rose again to the head of the table.
Listen, my dear relatives! Ive been in the hospital for two weeks, and not a single soul bothered to check on me! No brother who loves me more than his new mother, no sister who has used me as a free cook all my life, no husband who drained both our salary and the savings wed put away for the cottage, no children I gave life tonone even phoned!
A hush fell over the room.
Ive spent my whole life ready to do whatever you needed. When I finally needed a simple gesture of support, you were nowhere! If I could survive that, I can survive anything. But I wont be your errandrunner any longer.
She turned to each of them in turn.
Vasili, our marriage is over. Get out of my flat!
Children, live your lives! If you ever need help, ask your father. Youve lost your mother.
Boris and Natalie, Ill no longer tolerate you. Hire nannies and cooks elsewhere! Thats enough!
Voices rose in protest, Are you mad? How can you say that?
Julia commanded, Everyone, line up! Leave my life for good! I finally want to live for myself, not for you!
With a final shout, Enough! she sat down at the empty table, eyes on the shattered salad bowl.
I went too far with my emotions, she admitted, picking up the broken pieces. But Ill start a new life with a new salad bowl.
And as the quiet settled, Julia realised that the true measure of a life is not how much you give to others, but how much you keep for yourselflearning to set boundaries, to cherish your own worth, and to nurture the self you have long neglected. The lesson was clear: love yourself first, for only then can you truly love anyone else.
