A week on her own would have softened her, like fresh cotton, but when she saw what had happened in that time, she froze the moment she stepped over the threshold.
Emma had been acting a stranger to herself lately. Cracks were appearing in her marriage, and she felt trapped in a torment she didnt know how to escape. It all began with the little things, as it always does.
After work, Jack started snapping at her with venomous remarks. His jokes turned sour, each word cutting deeper than a slap. Day after day his behaviour grew worse, and even on his days off he gave her no respite.
Look at you, you look like an old hag! he sneered, never looking up from his phone. Other blokes have wives who look like proper ladies, and mines a shrivelled prune!
It was true that Emma seemed older than her years. Her job was hard and relentless, and it left its marks on her face. Hearing those words from her own husband hurt the most. She toiled for the family, earning twice as much as Jack, so he had no excuse to complain.
Jack spent his money however he liked, without asking anyone else: Where I want, thats where I spend! No kids to save for!
Emma put up with that too. They managed to get by. They werent officially married, but they lived as a couple and werent in any rush to tie the knot. Still, Jacks mother, Margaret, had long called Emma a daughterinlaw, and Emma treated her as a motherinlaw.
Margaret proved to be meddlesome and never satisfied. She constantly stuck her nose into the young couples affairs, and most of the nagging fell on Emma.
The pair lived in a detached house on the outskirts of Birmingham. Though they were in a town, the garden required constant attention. Often Emma would ask Jack for help:
I just cant keep up Im at the office from dawn till dusk!
And whats it to me? Jack would reply. Its your house, youre the one who runs it, so why should I bother?
In fact, in winter the garden was buried under snow until Emma herself took the shovel. In summer the grass grew almost up to the windows. They had to hire someone to tidy things up, and then Emma would finish the work after her shift.
Meanwhile Jack lounged on the sofa, only getting up now and then to check how the chores were progressing.
Emma forgave a lot, but the final straw came after a grueling day at the office. She was exhausted, dragging her feet home, and stopped at the corner shop for a bag of groceries. Her hand throbbed from the weight of the sack.
She hoped Jack would meet her she even called, but he didnt answer. Gasping and wiping sweat from her brow, she heard music drifting from the back yard.
Leaving the bag by the fence, she hurried inside, where a raucous party was in full swing. Inside, resentment and anger swirled tonight she intended to let everything out.
The house was a proper shindig. Loud music rattled the windows, the table was piled with snacks and a roast Emma had prepared earlier so she wouldnt have to fuss in the evening. Jack, ignoring his wife, was dancing with a woman who had clearly overindulged in alcohol and was dressed rather provocatively.
Without saying a word, Emma slipped through the room and switched off the music.
Jack blinked, his eyes clouded, and asked, What are you doing?
I was about to ask you the same thing! Whats going on? Whos that lady?
His partner kept moving as if nothing had changed.
Whats it to you? Jack huffed. Just an old schoolmate, thats all. Or am I not allowed to relax in my own house?
If you remember, you once said this is my home and you have no right in it. So clear this up now, usher your guest out, and then well talk.
I wont! Jack tried to stand, but he swayed.
By now Emma was disgusted. He was no longer a man in her eyes, just a burden. Living with him out of fear of being alone? No thank you.
She seized the woman by the arm and led her to the gate. Time for you to go!
Turning back, she asked Jack, Are you staying or are you leaving yourself?
He shrugged, snatched a salad and a bottle from the table, staggered to the door and shouted, Live without me, you drama queen, and call me when youve had enough!
From the kitchen Margaret wailed, clutching her head. My skull is about to split!
Mother, dont shout! Emma tossed me out because I didnt meet her at the door, Jack lied, knowing his mum would side with him.
Whats there to meet? she asked, surprised.
Who knows! She always finds something to pick at: this, that! Im fed up! Maybe Im tired from work too? Do you think its easy for me? Why should I help out in someone elses house?
Exactly! Margaret encouraged. Let her sort out the house, claim her share, then ask. Shes getting bigheaded, wants me to welcome her! Shes perfectly healthy, she can manage herself!
I told her! And she took offense!
Let her be offended! Dont give in! Nothing to concede! She wants to marry, shell endure. Shes not a little girl to get a nose in the air!
What am I supposed to do now? Jack asked, hanging his head.
Patience, son, his mother said. Shell crawl back, begging to come home. A week alone will make her see what shes done. Dont give in when she returns, demand registration. Otherwise shell be left without you.
Emmas brother, Tom, was listening, nodding in time with his mothers words.
Youre right, Mum! I wont put up with her whims! Who does she think she is, ordering me around? Im no servant; Im a grown man, my own master!
Following his mothers advice, Jack decided to act. He didnt show up at the house, didnt call Emma, and waited exactly one week.
Margaret, however, wasnt any easier. She kept pulling at him, demanding this and that. When he tried to push back, she reminded him of the oldschool discipline: a firm rap on his back with a wooden stick.
Youre not at your wifes, youre at your mothers! No work, no lunch!
She warned him not to argue.
At last, after those seven days, Jack gathered his courage to return. Im heading back, Mum. Ill see how shes coping without me. Shell be crawling on her knees, begging for me!
Go, go! Dont quit! Speak clearly youll only get back on your own terms!
He left the house with his chin up, shoulders straight, steps confident, as if ready to prove who was boss.
He reached the gate, stepped into the yard and stopped dead.
Something was off.
The garden was immaculate, the grass trimmed like a ruler, the windows sparkling, the flowerbeds neat, the paths spotless, no hint of overgrowth.
Even the gate was new not the squeaky old one, but a sturdy, polished one.
Jack fumbled for his key, but it no longer fit. After a moment he knocked decisively on the door.
Inside, footsteps halted, then the door swung open.
But it wasnt Emma, the weary woman with dark circles. Standing there was a freshfaced, smiling woman, eyes bright with mischief.
I thought youd be here alone, suffering Well, at least you could have given me a ring!
Why would I? Emma replied softly, tilting her head playfully.
Why? A husband disappears for a week and you dont even call?
I have no husband, she said calmly.
Where will he appear from? Emma laughed. There was once a visitor, but he was a dud. No point recalling him!
Jack went crimson. Is that you talking about me?! Youll get a slap and a different tone! I should have raised you better! I always felt sorry for you!
He stepped forward, but Emma didnt flinch.
A tall man emerged from the doorway, laid a hand on Emmas shoulder and said firmly, Hey, mate, off you go. And do it quietly.
Whos that? A lover? Jack blustered. If you chase him off Ill forgive you and come back! I wont even hit!
Then something odd happened. Time seemed to wobble; Jack, whod just been standing, was now sprinting as if chased by demons, with a mysterious force pushing him faster.
Emma stood on the steps laughing until tears streamed, watching her older brother hurl Jack out of the yard. He flew toward the gate, Tom giving him a couple of solid kicks.
As soon as Jack hit the threshold, Tom slammed the gate shut and turned to his sister:
Em, dont you ever think about taking that fool back! I cant understand how you ever put up with him!
Emma sighed deeply. I was a fool, thats why I stayed. I kept hoping hed change.
You cant change a bloke like that. If you need a hand around the house, call me, Ill help. Let him know hes not welcome here again.
And if he doesnt get it?
Then Ill explain again, Tom winked, and together they went inside.
Inside, the guests were still cheering, watching the drama through the window.
Heres to the birthday girl! someone shouted.
To the namesake! echoed back, glasses clinking.
Emma smiled. It felt wonderful to have a brother like Tom caring, strong, and always there.
