We had promised to host our motherinlaw for two weeks, barely managing to see our relatives off.
Mom has the right to count on us; shes family, I said.
My mother isnt a stranger, agree, my husband replied. But her whats his name Victor? Valentin?
Victor, I corrected him, Victor Parker. Hes a decent fellow, Ive met him a few times. Quiet, welleducated, used to teach physics.
I shook my head. None of it sat well with me.
The whole mess started from a simple misstep. June Andrews called early one morning while Daniel was away on a work trip. She cheerfully announced that she and her new companion were already in a cab, heading straight to our flat for a twoweek stay. Their upstairs flat had burst a pipe, flooded half the rooms, and now demanded a full renovation.
June, maybe we should wait for Daniel? Hell be back in a couple of days I tried to suggest.
Oh, dear Emma, why wait? she chirped. Were coming, and thats that!
It felt as if an avalanche was about to bury me, and the next hour proved the feeling was justified.
Within an hour the guests were at our doorstep.
Emma, love! June threw her arms around me. Meet Victor. Victor, this is Emma, Daniels wife Ive told you so much about her!
Victor extended a hand, a little uneasy. Pleasure to meet you, Emma. June has spoken highly of you. Hope we wont be too much of a bother. Ill try to be as silent as a mouse.
At that moment our sixyearold daughter Lucy peeked out of the bedroom.
Mum, whats all the noise? Oh, Grandma Junes here!
Lucy, my sunshine! June swooped down to her. Look, Ive brought you a grandpa real grandpa Victor!
Lucy stared at Victor with the impartial curiosity only a child possesses. Why does grandpa have a beard like a circus clown?
Victor burst into a warm, deep laugh. Because sometimes Im a bit mischievous. I dont have a puppet theatre, but I do have this. He rummaged in his bag and produced a brightly illustrated book. Fun Physics for Little Questionasks. Want to try some experiments together?
Lucys face lit up.
The first week I did my best to be a good host. I gave them our bedroom while Daniel and I moved to the sofa in the living room. I tolerated June rearranging everything in the kitchen the way she liked. I kept quiet when Victor claimed the bathroom for forty minutes each morning.
When Daniel returned from his trip, he too felt the pressure at first, but June swiftly smoothed things over. She always knew how to slip into the role of the evercaring motherfigure who had sacrificed everything for her only son. And Daniel fell right back into it.
Emma, just hang on a bit longer, he whispered one evening as we lay on the uncomfortable sofa, listening to Junes booming TV dramas from the next room. Shes trying, cooking, looking after Lucy
Im trying! I muttered into the pillow. I cant even use the bathroom in peace! Victor could pop out of any corner like a devil from a bottle with another fact about digestion!
Daniel said nothing.
Victor turned out to be an early bird. By five a.m. he was already marching into the kitchen, the kettle shrieking, a soft radio playing. The noise was low, but every creak of our old panelheated house echoed. By six June joined him, and they whispered their dayplan over breakfast.
Victor, shall we pop to the market for some cottage cheese? The supermarkets got a new brand of cheese thats practically a science project!
Sure, June. Afterwards maybe a walk in the park the weather looks fine.
Lets bring Lucy along! She needs fresh air, not just her tablet!
Lucy doesnt need to come, I interjected, feeling halfzombified. Shes off school today, and so am I, supposedly.
Did we wake you? June asked, eyes wide with feigned innocence. We were being very quiet!
Three weeks slipped by. One evening I left work early, yearning only for the comfort of the sofa and a long sleep. I turned the key and froze.
On our sofa sat a dignified lady in her sixties, and beside her Victor was hunched over a notebook, pointing at scribbles and talking animatedly.
On the coffee table were two teacups, taken straight from my own wedding set.
Oh, Emma! Victor exclaimed, spotting me. This is Ruth Palmer, my old colleague from university. We havent seen each other in ages! Since you and Daniel are at work, we thought a quiet cup of tea would be fine. No problem, right?
Victor, I started, teeth clenched, you seem to have forgotten a tiny detail. This is my flat. If you want to meet an old friend, a café would have been more appropriate.
Ruth blushed and quickly apologized. I didnt realise youd mind Victor said youd be in the office till evening.
Exactly, I snapped. You assumed that because Im not home, you can do as you please?
June burst out of the kitchen. Emma, why are you shouting? We have guests!
Guests in my house?! I shouted back.
Victor took off his glasses and began delicately polishing the lenses with a handkerchief.
If our presence is that intolerable, a simple hint would have sufficed, he murmured. There are hotels, rented flats
Victor, stop! June pleaded. Emmas just tired, isnt she? Youll apologise to Victor, wont you?
That was the final straw.
Enough! I shouted, grabbed the phone, and dialled Daniel.
Daniel, come home right away. No ones dead, but if you dont get here in an hour, I cant guarantee whatll happen.
Daniel arrived forty minutes later, eyes wide with confusion.
Whats happened? he asked, looking from me to the intruders.
I laid out the whole scene. Daniel listened, his expression darkening with each detail.
Emmas right, June tried to intervene.
Emmas right! Daniel cut in, surprisingly firm. This is our home. You cant bring anyone in without our permission.
But Victor
Victor is a stranger to us. Weve only known him for three weeks. Honestly Daniel paused, choosing his words.
Mother, you promised youd stay only a couple of weeks. Its been three. When will your repairs be finished?
June lowered her gaze. We havent even started. Were saving up
What?! Daniel and I both exclaimed.
Whats the problem? June raised an eyebrow. Were not bothering you! We even help with cooking, and Victor looks after Lucy.
Mother, Daniel said slowly, as if explaining to a child, this cant continue. We never agreed to this.
Youre my son, you cant tell me what to do, she retorted.
You need to find somewhere else to live, Daniel said firmly. If you need, well help you find a temporary flat while you finish the repairs, but you cant stay here any longer.
Youre kicking your own mother out? June shouted.
No, were just asking you to respect our home and our boundaries, Daniel replied. Youve deceived us, and you have a week to look for a new place.
The tension hung heavy, but the decision was clear.
In the days that followed, June and Victor packed their things, and Lucy helped by handing over a few toys. The house finally felt like ours again.
We learned that hospitality must have limits, and that love does not mean surrendering the right to protect ones own space. Respecting boundaries keeps a home a sanctuary, not a battlefield.
