Emily, listen, weve got a problem. Mum needs a hand: the balcony windows need washing she cant manage them alone and we have to stock up groceries for a week, a decent list. Can you go today?
James strode into the kitchen in his wellworn joggers and a crumpled Tshirt, exuding that relaxed Sundaymorning vibe. He paused at the tap, filling his glass with water, barely noticing Emily. She sat at the small table by the window, sipping her coffee slowly. Sunlight dappled the tablecloth in intricate patterns, yet her eyes were fixed somewhere inside.
It wasnt the first time a request like this had been made. It started with harmless errands: Emily, could you pass mum the bread? Can you pop over with her medication? Then it escalated to regular trips across town with heavy bags, deepcleaning at the motherinlaws house, and even minor repairs that Margaret, the motherinlaw, claimed only a young, spry person could handle. James never seemed to show up for his own mother. He always had something elsetiredness, a lack of desire, an excuse. Well, youre free, hed say, and Emily would sigh and drive. She hauled, washed, fixed, and listened patiently to Mums complaints about her health, the rising cost of living, noisy neighbours, and the fact that poor Jamie was always the one left to do everything.
James, Emily said, her voice unnervingly calm but edged with steel, Ive already told you. Im your wife, not a personal assistant for your mum, and certainly not your freehandmaid. If Margaret needs helpespecially this serious sortwhy dont you go yourself? Its your day off, isnt it? Or have you forgotten?
James blinked, bewildered. Usually these talks ended with Emily relenting after a few more pleas.
Uh I thought you he stammered, frowning. Its not hard! Womens workclean the windows, buy the groceries Youre better at that than I am.
Emily twisted her mouth into a thin grin that promised trouble.
Womens work? she echoed sarcastically. So lugging fivekilogram sacks of potatoes up to the seventh floor, then scrubbing grime from the panes is now exclusively a female duty? And youll stay at home, conserving your strength, so you can lounge on the sofa later?
The tension in the room thickened. James slammed his glass onto the countertop, his face flushing.
What are you starting again? I just asked! You know Mum is alone, getting on, its hard for her! Instead of helping youre throwing tantrums!
Tantrums? Emily raised an eyebrow. You call my refusal to be your errandboy a tantrum? Listen closely.
What else?
Im your wife, not a girl on a shopping list! If your mum needs help, you yourself must go and pitch in! Shes your mother, James. If she truly struggles, its your duty as a son to assist. Are you suggesting a son should dump all that onto his wife? Im not asking you to help my motherher problems are mine, and Ill handle them. So, love, grab the list, a rag, a bucket, and head to mums. Use my gloves if you dont have your own. I have my own tasks. No more of these requests will be accepted. Clear?
James stared at her as if she were an alien. The usual compromise crumbled. Emily had always yielded. Now she was cold, decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.
You understand what youre saying? This is disrespect to my mother! he shouted, stepping forward.
Emily didnt flinch.
No, James. Its respect for yourself. Basic selfrespect. If you cant see that, thats your problem.
She rose, walked calmly around the table, and left the kitchen, leaving him alone amid the sunspotted floor, shattered comfort, and a sudden realization that life was no longer that easy.
James followed her into the sitting room where Emily had deliberately settled with a book. He halted in the doorway, fists clenched, his face burning with anger.
So you just decided to refuse outright? he spat. You think you can ignore my pleas? My mother? Is that how a wife should act?
Emily lowered the book slowly.
Do you think its normal, James, to push a sons responsibilities onto his wife? she asked, voice even. You speak of your mother, yet forget shes yours. She has a sonan adult, healthy, with a day off. Why does he send you instead of helping himself, while you plan a lazy day on the couch?
Because it never bothered anyone before! James erupted, stepping sharply forward. You always helped, and everything was fine! What changed? Did you get a crown, or start thinking youre special?
The change is that I cant do it any longer, Emily replied, her tone devoid of anger, only deep, longheld fatigue. Im tired of being the convenient helper for both of you, not a whole person. Im exhausted when my time, energy, and wishes are ignored. You say you always agreed. Have you ever considered what it costs me? How many times have I sacrificed my plans, my rest, even my health, just to please you and your mother?
James sneered, waving his hand as if shooing a fly.
Here we go again with the martyr act! No one forced you. You chose it, so it must have been comfortable for you!
Emilys smile was bitter. I chose it because I wanted peace in the family, hoping youd notice how much I do. You took it for granted, as if I were obligated to serve all your relatives. And you know whats odd? My own mother never asked you to come and help with windows or the cottage. She knows we have our own life. Your mother, however, treats me like a free resource she can tap whenever she wishes.
Dont compare them! James roared, his face twisted with rage. My mother always looked out for us! And now, when she asks for help, you act like this is selfishness!
Who will think of me if I dont? Emily met his gaze, unflinching, confidence replacing guilt. You? The one who never notices how I look after your mothers endless demands? Or Margaret, who after a cleanup starts bragging about a neighbours daughterinlaw baking pies daily? No, James. This chapter is over. I will no longer be the rug everyone walks over, hiding behind duty and help to justify exploitation.
The room crackled. James felt his control slipping. His accustomed authority, his right to dictate, was disintegrating before his eyes. He had grown used to Emilys soft compliance. Now she stood, eyes icy, voice firm, shattering his expectations.
Youre ungrateful! he gasped. Were here for you, and you you value nothing! You dont care about our feelings!
Feelings? Emily laughed, but there was no mirth. When was the last time you asked about mine, James? When I trudged back after a whole day at your mums and you just said, All right. Done? Good job. My needs? A simple moment of attention? Never. Its easier to have a wife who silently obeys every command.
James paced like a cornered animal. His usual pressure tactics, accusations, and blame fell flat, only fuelling his frustration.
Fine, he finally rasped, breathing heavily. If you wont play nice, Ill make it ugly. Youll hear my mothers opinion soon enough!
He fished out his phone and dialed quickly. Emily sat composed, a faint scowl painting her features. She knew this movecalling in the heavy artillery of the mother.
A disgruntled voice answered after a few rings.
James, whats the hurry? Im just trying not to get worked up.
Mum, can you believe this? I asked Emily to go to you, clean the windows and get the groceries, like always. She gave me a fit! She says youre my mother, I should go myself, and shes not a girl on a errand list! Can you imagine?
Silence hung heavy. Emily smirked inwardly, aware of how her mother liked to pause dramatically.
What what? Margaret finally replied, feigning surprise. She said that about me?
Yes, Mum, exactly that! James blurted. She says youre my mother, not hers, and I should work for you, not the other way round! Its absurd!
James, dear, the youth today Margarets tone turned plaintive. I thought my daughterinlaw would be like family but she
Hand over the phone, Emily said evenly.
James glanced at her, a smug glint in his eye.
Scared? Want to apologise to Mum?
Hand over the phone, she repeated, her voice now a cold steel that made him shrink. He passed the device, flipping it to speaker.
Good afternoon, Margaret, Emily began, businesslike. I heard your conversation and Id like to clarify.
Emily, love, whats happening with James? Hes upset why are you treating me like this? Were one family, arent we?
Margaret, if you truly need help with physically demanding taskswindow washing, carrying groceriesyou should ask your son. He has the day off, hes healthy, and its his duty as a son to look after his mother. I am his wife, not your housekeeper.
Emily, dear, youre the lady of the house Margaret attempted charm, but irritation seeped through. James is a man, he has other responsibilities. He provides for the family
I also work, Margaret, Emily interjected. My day off is just as valuable. Im not going to perform regular chores for your family for free. If cleaning is a problem, you could hire a cleaning service. Thats a realistic solution.
Cleaning service?! Margaret exhaled sharply. Let strangers into my home? People will gossip! Theyll think their son and daughterinlaw have forgotten me!
Im not worried about gossip, Emily replied firmly. Im concerned with my right to a life and rest of my own. If James feels ashamed to help his mother, thats his issue, not mine.
Silence stretched, broken only by Margarets shallow, ragged breathing.
So thats it? Margaret finally hissed, her voice stripped of any previous softness. You think you can dictate the house now? Fine, Emily I wont let you walk away quietly. If youre against the family, against order, against respect for elders, Ill come myself and sort this out. Well have a serious talk, and youll learn how to behave!
She slammed the receiver down. James shot Emily a triumphant glance, as if to say, Watch me. She simply placed the phone on the table, her resolve unshaken. The storm was just beginning.
Forty minutes later a pounding knock rattled the front doorlike someone trying to drag the whole frame out. James, who had been pacing like a caged tiger, lunged to answer. Emily remained seated, her calm exterior masking an inner tremor, but her determination was iron.
Mum! Finally! You have no idea whats happened here! James shouted from the hallway, his voice raw with righteous fury.
Margaret stormed into the sitting room like a cyclone. Her cheeks flushed, eyes blazing, the scarf halfslipped from her shoulders. Every inch of her screamed battle readiness.
Come here, girl! she snapped at Emily, who rose to meet her. How dare you? How can you command my son? How dare you speak to me like that?
Good afternoon, Margaret, Emily replied, maintaining a veneer of politeness that only inflamed the mother further. Im glad youve arrived. Now we can talk calmly, without misunderstandings.
Talk? Margaret shrieked. I have nothing to discuss with a woman who insults her husbands mother! We welcomed you into the family, and you turn out to be a snake! And where was James when you were spouting this?
He was right there, Mum! Margaret defended, pointing at James. He says I should wash the windows myself! That Im not obliged! Can you imagine?
I didnt just say that, James, Emily corrected evenly. I said the truth. Youre his mother, so its his responsibility to care for you. If you think your wife should do it for you, youre either lazy or not a man at all.
How dare you? Margaret sputtered. My son works! He has no strength! And you sit at home doing nothing!
I also work, Margaret, Emilys voice grew firmer. I earn as much as your son, and my home isnt a freeservice centre for your family. You raised a man who cant make a decision without you. Im tired of being the perpetual helper and scapegoat in this household.
Her words landed like hard slaps. James fell silent, unsure how to react. Margaret trembled with fury.
Ive given him everything! Sleepless nights! And you come here with a prepared meal and still judge me?
Exactly because you gave him everything, he remains a dependent adult, Emily retorted. He should have grown up by now, but you keep him on a short leash. I will no longer be part of this family theatre.
James finally erupted.
Silence! he roared, stepping forward. Youve crossed every line! My mother is sacred. If you dont like it, you can leave! I choose my mother! Shes the only one I have, and there are plenty like you out there!
The words were the final blow. Emily met his stare with a long, cold gaze.
Alright, James, she said softly but firmly. Youve made your choice. I now know who you are. I want nothing to do with you or your mother. Pack your things. Or just go back to her. Its all the same to me. This nightmare is over.
She turned away, signalling the end of the argument. Behind her, the mothers hysterical cries and Jamess angry shouts continued, but Emily no longer heard them. She looked out the window at the dawning day. A massive weight had lifted from her shoulders. Ahead lay uncertainty, but also freedom. Behind her were two people who had lost more than a daughterinlaw or a wifethey had lost the chance at a normal life, trapped forever in their toxic union.
