UNGRATEFUL

Emily, we’re starving! Enough lying around!her husbands irritated voice cut through the fog of her headache. Her throat burned, her nose was blocked, and her body felt like lead. No wonder shed fallen ill.

All week, the weather had been sweltering, but last evening, sleet had poured down. Spring in England Shed tried to call a cab, but of course, none were available in such weather. Instead, shed squeezed onto a packed bus after waiting half an hour in the cold, then trudged home on foot.

Shed asked David to pick her up.

Em, Tom and I stopped by Mums. Well be late,hed replied.

As usual.

By the time she got home, she was drenched and shivering.

Now, it was 8 AM on a Saturday.

David, could you fetch the thermometer?she rasped.

What? Youre ill?He sounded surprised.What about breakfast?

Could you manage without me?she asked weakly.

What, on our own?David frowned.What about Tom?

Hes ten! And youre a grown man. Make scrambled eggs? Let him help. Ive taught him before.

You taught him to cook?David scoffed.

Yes. Whats wrong with that? Hes always glued to his phone, never lifts a finger.

Youve lost it! Hes a lad! Men shouldnt have to cookthats womens work!David snapped.Fine. Well go to Mums since youre useless. Back tomorrow.

Within minutes, he and Tom were gone.

Emily dragged herself up, found the thermometer, put the kettle on, and wondered: When had things changed? When had David stopped caring for her, even when she was ill? When had the house become her burden alone?

The thermometer beeped: 102.3°F.

She took medicine and collapsed back into bed.

Later, her phone buzzedher mum.

Em, why havent you called? I was worried,Victoria fretted.

Just a bit poorly. Took meds and slept.

A bit? Wheres David? Off with his mum again?

Left with Tom. Didnt want to catch it.

Oh, please! More like didnt want to lift a finger. Men!

Mum

Dont Mum me! I didnt raise you to be a slave. Did you check your temperature?

Yes. High earlier. A bit better now, but exhausted.

Stay put. Dads fetching you. You shouldnt be alone like this.The line went dead.

Emily washed up, packed her laptop, and waited.

When her father saw her, he clutched his chest.

Dad! Whats wrong?she gasped.

Bloody hell, you look like death!He took her bag.Come on. Lean on me, or the windll knock you over.

At her parents, warmth, good food, and care revived her. That evening, she called David to say she wasnt home.

What dyou want?he slurred.Cant bring meds. Had pints with Dad. Oh, Mum wants a word.He handed the phone over.

Emily! A womans duty is to her family! Men need feeding, warming, and peace!her mother-in-law scolded.

Victoria snatched the phone.So men are helpless, then? Cant lift a finger?

Of course not! But thats how men are!

Really? Too busy drinking to care for his wife? Pathetic.Victoria hung up.

Then David texted: *Send money. Short before payday. Spent on Tom.*

*Ive covered rent and food all month,* she replied, stunned.

*Your flat, your problem. Send it now!*

*No. Spent on medicine.*

*Ask your parents then.*

*Ask yours.*

*Shell ask where my wages went!*

*So will I.*

*Im a man! I dont answer to you!*

*Then figure it out.*

He called her ungrateful, selfish, a terrible wife and mother. She muted her phone.

Next morning, David rang again:

Tom and I are staying at Mums. She actually cares, unlike you. Shouldve listened when she said youd be a rubbish mother.

Good riddance,her father said, watching her.

Just divorce. Im done.She poked at her omelette, resolved.

Later, her dad returned with new keys.Changed your locks. Packed their things. Stay here awhile.

Her mother hummed, relieved. Theyd waited for this.

The divorce was swiftno shared children, no joint assets. David had taken Tom to avoid child support, never considering Emilys feelings. The boy had made her life hell, and David had forgotten everythingher flat, her sacrifices, her existence.

Now, he lived with his mum, his spending monitored, his freedom gone.

Emily? She was free.

At 27, after the storm, she bought a carno more waiting in the rain.

And the lesson? Simple: Love yourself first. The rest will follow.