The Other Mother‑in‑Law…

The second motherinlaw

When Sarah stepped into the flat, the pair of her motherinlaws shoes were propped in the hallway, a silent warning that there would be no quiet respite that day.

Eleanor Whitaker emerged from the kitchen, her expression as severe as a barristers in a courtroom.

Back again with that useless old woman? she demanded. And the house, the husband, the childeverythings gone, I suppose. Good thing Im here, otherwise theyd be sitting there starving.

MrsWhitaker, James knew Id be late, Sarah retorted. Ive already cooked dinner; he only needs to warm it up. He could manage without your meddling.

In the ten years shed been married to James, Sarah had learned that her motherinlaw was never satisfied, and she treated her tirades like a radio that droned from dawn till duskheard but never heeded.

It had not always been easy. Eleanor had become Sarahs second motherinlaw. The first, Margaret Hargreaves, had been a model of discretion. She never intruded on her sons household, never offered unaskedfor counsel, and never imposed herself.

Yet when help was required, she was invariably present. Sarah remembered Margaret staying up with threemonthold Evelyn, who could not tell night from day, and the way she would whisk the little girl off for a walk, then tell Sarah, Just lie down and rest. James will come back and cook his own supper.

When Evelyn turned five, a tragic accident at Jamess factory left him dead, and Sarah became a widow.

Margaret, who had lost her only son, did not abandon her daughterinlaw and grandchild. For the first three months after the disaster they all lived under one roof, supporting each other as best they could.

Sarah suggested that Margaret continue to stay with her, but the elder lady moved into her own flat.

Sarah, youre only twentyeight, Margaret said. Youre still young; youll find happiness again. Why should I be a burden in your home?

Sarah left James three years later, yet she never left Margaret. Her own parents lived far away, so the first motherinlaw had become almost a mother to her, while Evelyn never heard the voice of a true grandmother.

Thus Eleanor Whitakers habit of treating the flat as if she owned it shocked Sarah. After the first visit, Eleanor insisted that James explain to his mother that she was merely a guest and that any future visits must be arranged in advance.

When Eleanor proclaimed that she wanted to help out of pure goodwill, Sarah replied:

Im no longer eighteen. Even when I left home to study, I was already independent.

After seven years of marriage, I dont need you to teach me to cook or clean. I can teach plenty myself.

Ill come over, MrsWhitaker, and pat the corners with a clean ragconsider me your inspector.

James had always stood by his wife, and whenever his mother overstepped, he dealt with her himself.

In short, Sarah taught the second motherinlaw to stay out of how she ran her household and raised her children. So, a year after remarrying, when Sarah became a mother again, Eleanors counsel stayed far away. Still, the older woman longed to interfere.

The trouble was that Eleanor had a friend who constantly regaled her with stories of how she raised the younger sons wife. Eleanor, eager to share similar anecdotes, found little to brag about. Her sole peculiarity was a constant complaint to Sarah about her visits to Margaret and the help she gave her.

It would be nice if that old lady were a close relative! she would say. When Evelyn was a baby I sent her to the country house for the summerI was even glad.

Now the girl is at school, and Sarah shuttles back and forth. Years have gone by, and she drops by two or three times a week, she told her friend.

In the last year Sarah visited her first motherinlaw more often. Eleanor called Margaret old, even though the two women were merely seven years apart.

Age does not heal, and illness does not beautify; Margaret grew seriously ill. Sarah visited her both in hospital and at home.

Youre spending the familys money on a stranger, the motherinlaw chided.

Dont worry, MrsWhitaker, Sarah replied. Margaret sold her cottage when she fell ill, so she has funds for treatment and wont need to borrow from you.

When Margarets condition deteriorated, Sarah hired a carer and took leave to spend half a day with her while James was at work and Evelyn at school.

Even so, Margaret passed away after a short time.

Then Eleanor showed great interest in the inheritance of the first motherinlaw.

The cottage was sold, but she didnt spend all the proceeds in a year. She also has a decent pensionsurely there are savings, Eleanor mused.

The twobedroom flat will surely go to the heirs, she added, though Sarah said nothing, fearing the answer.

Instead she asked her son, whose reply offered little comfort.

Whose will is it? Of course its for Evelynshes the rightful granddaughter.

And you, Sarahwhy did you rush to the old woman? the mother asked, astonished. Imagine the tears!

Dont worry about me, Sarah told her. I knew long ago that Margaret would leave everything to Evelyn. I even took her to the solicitor a year ago.

Why did you circle around her when you knew nothing would fall from your side? Eleanor wondered. Let Evelyn look after her.

Id explain, but Im afraid you wouldnt understand, Sarah replied.

In due course the estate was settled; Evelyn received all the documents for the flat and the cash contribution.

It was decided that while the girl studied and lived in halls, the flat would be let out and the rent paid into her account.

When Evelyn finished university, she could decide whether to return to her hometown and settle there, or stay in the regional centre, sell the flat and buy a new one.

When Eleanor heard the flat would be rented, she suggested, Why let strangers live there? Theyll only spoil it. Let my daughter, Kitty, stay instead.

Thirtyfiveyearold Kitty was Eleanors younger daughter, still living with her mother. She was attractive, wellshaped, educated, and held a steady job. Romances came and went, but none led to marriage.

Eleanor, of course, fretted over her daughter.

Why cant Kitty find happiness? Look at Sarahwidow with a child, yet she managed to snag my James! the woman thought.

She believed that if Kitty owned a flat, she could secure a husband.

Its only Evelyns flat now, she reasoned. In three or four years anything could happenperhaps Evelyn will find a husband with a house, and then we could persuade her to give it to Kitty. But Ill keep that to myself for now.

What a disappointment when Evelyn refused to let Kitty move in!

She wont pay as much as other tenants, Evelyn said. Im planning to take a mortgage in the future. Maybe Ill move to the capital after university, so let the money accumulate.

Greedy, yourethinking only of yourself, the motherinlaw snapped at Sarah. Both of you only think of your own interests. If Kitty had a flat, she might have married by now.

Mother, you have a threebedroom flat yourself. Sell it, buy a onebedroom for yourself and give Kitty one, James suggested.

How clever you are, the mother retorted, that threebedroom is mine; you have no claim. Why should I downsize in my old age? Ive lived in this flat my whole life and Im not moving.

This isnt clever, James, its you, Sarah interjected. You wont sacrifice your own flat for your own daughter, yet you open your mouth for a stranger.

Thus Kitty remained with her mother. Evelyn kept letting her flat while studying, then sold it and bought a new one in the regional centre.

She visited the capital once a week. As they say, Its lovely where youre not.

What do you think of all this? Leave a comment and give a like.