Youre no family of ours, said the mother-in-law, sliding the meat from her daughter-in-laws plate back into the pot.
Emily froze by the stove, the plate still in her hands. Gravy from the stew Margaret had just made clung to the porcelain. Piece by piece, the meat vanished into the pot, as if her mother-in-law were counting each morsel.
Sorry? Emily asked, barely believing her ears.
Whats not clear? Margaret wiped her hands on her apron and turned. We never accepted you into this family. You forced your way in.
The kitchen fell so silent, the bubbling soup on the stove sounded deafening. Emily set the plate down and brushed a loose strand of hair from her forehead. Her hands trembled.
Margaret, I dont understand. Victor and I have been married five years! We have a daughter
So what? her mother-in-law cut in. Lucys our blood, thats true. But you? Youll always be an outsider.
The kitchen door swung open, and Victor walked in, his hair dishevelled, shirt half-unbuttonedclearly just woken from a nap after work.
Whats going on? he asked, glancing between his wife and mother. Why are you shouting?
Were not shouting, Margaret answered coolly. Just talking. Explaining to your wife how things work in this house.
Victor frowned at Emily. She stood pale-lipped, silent.
Mum, what did you say?
The truth. That the meat isnt for everyone. Big family, small portions.
Emily felt a lump rise in her throat. So that was it. Five years thinking she belonged. Five years bending over backwards for her mother-in-law, enduring her jabs, hoping time would soften her.
Vic, Im going home, she said quietly. To Mums.
What do you mean, home? Margaret scoffed. Your home is here now. Or do you think you can come and go as you please?
Mum, enough, Victor stepped toward Emily. What happened?
Emily stayed quiet. How could she explain that his mother had just made it clearshe was nothing here? That even a plate of stew was too much to spare?
Ill pack Lucys things, she said instead. Well stay at Mums for the weekend.
Why on earth? Margaret huffed. Her grandmothers right here. Why drag the child somewhere else?
Her grandmother thinks her mother isnt family, Emily murmured. Maybe her granddaughter deserves better too.
She turned to leave. Victor grabbed her wrist.
Em, wait! Explain properly. What happened?
Emily looked back. Her husband stared at her, bewildered, while Margaret stood by the stove, pretending to stir the soup.
Ask your mother, Emily said. Shell tell you better.
In the nursery, three-year-old Lucy was playing with her dolls. She ran to Emily the moment she saw her.
Mummy! Look, Im feeding Katie!
Good job, sweetheart, Emily crouched to hug her. Are you hungry?
Yes! Granny said theres stew tonight!
There is, love. But were going to eat at Grandma Susans.
Your mum? Lucy beamed. Yay! Is Daddy coming?
No, Daddys staying home.
Emily began packing Lucys bagdresses, tights, toys, everything theyd need for a few days. As she folded clothes, Victor appeared in the doorway.
Em, this is ridiculous. Youre leaving over nothing.
Ridiculous? Emily straightened. Your mother just told me Im not family! Took food off my plate! Thats nothing?
She says things! You know how she is. Shell forget by tomorrow.
But I wont, Vic! This isnt the first time.
Oh, come off it! Mums just tired. Works been hard, she snapped.
Emily laughed, bitter.
Tired? Five years of being tired? And Im always the one she snaps at.
Then ignore her!
Ignore being called a stranger in my own home? Vic, listen to yourself!
Victor rubbed his necka nervous habit.
Em, where will you go? Were family. We have a child.
Thats why Im leaving. I wont let Lucy hear her mother being belittled.
Whos belittling you? Mum just voiced her opinion.
Her opinion? Emily stopped packing. Vic, she took food from me! Said I dont belong! Thats an opinion?
Well maybe it was harsh. But she raised us alone after Dad died. Shes used to controlling things.
So I suffer her control forever?
Victor sat on the bed and took her hands.
Em, lets not fight. Ill talk to her.
What will you say? That Im human? That I have feelings?
Yeah. Ill tell her to back off.
Emily shook her head.
Vic, its not about rudeness. Its that shell never accept me. And you know it.
She just needs time
Five years isnt enough? How much longer?
From the kitchen, Margaret called:
Vic! Dinners ready!
Victor stood.
Lets eat. Well talk after.
No thanks. Ive lost my appetite.
He lingered, then left. Emily heard murmurs from the kitchenvoices rising, falling.
She dialled her mother.
Mum? Its me. Can we stay with you a few days?
Of course, love. Whats wrong?
Ill explain later. Were coming now.
Alright. Ive made stewplenty for everyone.
Emily smiled faintly. Her mother always said plenty for everyone. Never counted portions.
Lucy chattered excitedly on the bus, babbling about her dolls and tomorrows plans.
Mummy, why isnt Daddy coming? she asked as they neared the house.
Daddys working, sweetheart. Hell visit later.
Susan met them at the door, beaming. Soft-spoken and kind, she was everything Margaret wasnt.
Ive missed you! She scooped Lucy up. Look how big youve grown!
Granny, do you have new stories?
Of course! Well read after dinner.
At the table, Susan ladled stew into bowls. Eat up, love. Youve lost weight. Arent they feeding you?
They are, Mum. Just no appetite lately.
Well, youre home now. Home heals.
Home. Emily glanced aroundthe cozy kitchen with gingham curtains, the old china cabinet, photos on the walls. Here, no one called her an outsider.
Later, after Lucy slept, they sat with tea.
Tell me what happened, Susan said.
Emily recounted the kitchen scene, the stew, Margarets words. Susan listened, nodding occasionally.
And how did Vic react?
Like always. Said she was tired, that I should ignore it.
I see. Susan stirred her tea. And how do you feel?
Exhausted, Mum. Five years trying, and she still wont accept me.
Give me examples.
Emily sighed.
The cookings wrong, the cleanings wrong, how I raise Lucys wrong. When Lucy was ill last month, she said I was a bad mother.
And Vic?
Vic stays quiet. Or says shes just worried about Lucy.
Susan set her cup down.
Love, are you happy in this marriage?
The question startled Emily. She gazed out at the evening lights.
I dont know, Mum. I was. Now I feel like a guest in my own family.
Why didnt you tell me sooner?
I thought itd pass. That shed get used to me.
She hasnt.
They sipped tea in silence. Rain tapped the window.
Mum when you married Dad, how did Grandma take it?
Susan smiled.
Your Gran Mary? Called me daughter from day one. Said, Now Ive got two girls. Treated me better than her own daughter, truth be told.
Why?
Because she saw I loved her son. And he loved me. Where theres love, theres room for everyone.
Emily wondereddid Victor love her? Truly? Or was it just habit?
Her phone rang. Victors name flashed.
Em? Where are you?
At Mums. Like I said.
When are you coming back?
Dont know. Maybe Sunday.
What do you mean? Youve got work tomorrow.
I called in sick.
A pause.
Em, enough drama. Come home. Well talk properly.
Talk about what, Vic? Your mother treating me like I dont matter?
Oh, grow up! Mums just Mum. She needs time.
Five years wasnt enough?
Em, dont make this harder. Were family.
Youve got one family. Turns out Ive got none.
She hung up. Susan handed her a tissue.
Cry, love. It helps.
But no tears came. Just hollow relief, like shrugging off a weight.
The next morning, Susan went to the market. Emily stayed with Lucyplaying, reading, molding clay. Lucy was thrilledGrandma Susan allowed everything Granny Margaret forbade.
Mummy, why arent we home? Lucy asked at lunch.
Were visiting Grandma.
How long?
Not sure, sweetheart.
Will Daddy come?
Emily studied her daughterso young, yet sensing something amiss.
Daddys working. But he loves us.
Does Granny love us too?
Emily exhaled.
She loves you. Youre her grandchild.
And you?
Emily hesitated. How explain adult cruelty to a three-year-old?
Lets play hide-and-seek, she said instead.
Lucy clapped and ran off.
That evening, Victor called again.
Em, Mum wants to apologize.
Really?
Yeah. She realizes she was wrong.
What exactly does she realize?
Well that it wasnt nice. That youre family.
Emily shook her head.
Vic, shes apologizing because you made her. Not because she means it.
What difference does it make? Shes saying sorry.
All the difference. Itll happen again.
It wont. I set her straight.
What did you say?
Victor hesitated.
That youre my wife. That she has to respect you.
Has to? On orders?
Em, why twist it? Im on your side!
Then why wait five years? Why let her belittle me?
I didnt let
You did, Vic! Your silence let her!
In the background, Margarets voice:
Tell her I made soup! Her favourite, with dumplings!
Emily shut her eyes. Even now, her mother-in-law couldnt just apologize. Had to flaunt fake care.
Vic, I need time.
Time for what? Come home tomorrow.
It wont fix everything, Emily whispered. I cant live like this anymore.
Like what?
Where Im not respected. Where Lucy grows up in this tension.
Em, what are you saying?
That I need to think. About us. Our marriage. The future.
Silence. Then:
Are you leaving me?
I dont know. Maybe.
Because of Mum?
Not because of Mum, Vic. Because of you. Because you never stood up for me. Not once in five years.
She hung up and turned off her phone. Her hands shook, but her mind felt clearer.
Susan returned with groceries.
Help me unpack, she said. Got extra mincewell make Lucys favourite meatballs.
Emily silently helped. There was plentyenough for everyone, and then some.
Mum what matters most in a family?
Susan pondered.
Love, I suppose. And respect. Without those, its not a family.
And if ones missing?
Then its just misery.
Emily nodded. Her mother always had a way with simple truths.
That night, they watched cartoons with Lucy nestled between them. Warm. Peaceful.
Mummy, are we going home tomorrow? Lucy asked sleepily.
Maybe, Emily said. Do you want to?
Not really. Its nicer here. Grandmas kind.
Children sensed more than adults realized.
The next morning, the doorbell rang. Victor stood there, flowers in hand.
Hi, he said awkwardly. Can I come in?
Susan let him in and put the kettle on. Lucy squealed and hugged him.
Daddy! You came!
Course I did, princess. Missed you.
Victor sat beside Emily.
Em, Ive been thinking. Youre right. I shouldve defended you.
What now?
Now it changes. I promise.
How?
He pulled keys from his pocket.
Rented us a flat. For a month, to start. Well try living alone.
Emily stared.
Seriously?
Dead serious. Mum fought it, but I stood firm. Told her my family comes first.
What did she say?
Plenty. Doesnt matter anymore.
Emily took the keys. Small, ordinaryyet they meant freedom. A chance without Margarets shadow.
Vic, what if it doesnt work? Moneys tight.
Itll work. Ill take extra shifts.
Susan brought tea.
Vic, hungry?
Thanks, Susan. Starving.
She laid the tableequal portions, no favourites.
Well, she said, sitting, shall we toast to your new place?
Emily looked at Victor, her mother, then Lucy carefully buttering her toast.
Yes, she said. We will.
Tomorrow, theyd see the flat. Theirsrented, but theirs. Where no one counted meat portions or divided people into kin and strangers.
Where thered always be room at the table.
