“When My Mother-in-Law Announced She’d Be Moving in With Us, Natasha’s Response Left Her Speechless”

Ill have to stay with you for a bit, proclaimed Antonias mother-in-law. Natashas response left her reeling.

Listen, Nat, said Anthony, nervously running his hand through his hair, Mums just landed herself in a bit of a pickle.

Oh really, what sort of pickle? Natasha perched on the armchair, fixing her gaze on her husband. Last week she had her own flat, a job, retirement plans and now poof! shes suddenly desperate for our help?

Anthony let out a long, despairing sigh. He knew the time had come to spill the whole messy truth. But how on earth was he supposed to explain to his wife that his mother had done it again?

It all started with a disastrous phone call three days ago.

Mrs. Geraldine Harper rang her son on a crisp Saturday morning. Her voice sounded wobbly, uncharacteristically meek.

Tony, love, Ive got a bit of a situation.

What sort of situation, Mum?

Well she hesitated. Do you remember I mentioned my neighbour, Mr. Stephen Perkins?

Anthony tensed. Stephen Perkins was the retired swindler whod started courting his mother half a year ago. Anthony had warned her then something fishy about that chap. But Mum never listened.

So, whats up with him?

Tony, Geraldines voice shook, he was a fraud. I I lent him money. A lot of money. Got a written receipt, of course. But now hes vanished. And the receipt, as it turns out, is useless.

Anthony felt a cold wave sweep inside him.

How much money, Mum?

Pretty much everything Id saved, Geraldine whispered. And, well I remortgaged the flat. Thought Id pay it off quick, but now The bank wants immediate repayment, and I havent got a penny.

Mum, how could you?

He said he was launching a business! Promised to pay me back with interest in six months! Geraldine sobbed. I thought I thought wed be getting married soon. Wanted to help.

Mum, calm down. What do we do now?

Tony, Mum sounded more herself suddenly, heres the plan. Ill sell the flat today, pay off the bank, then move in with you two. Plenty of space in your place. Three bedrooms!

Anthony felt a familiar headache brewing.

Mum, technically thats Natashas flat.

Anthony! Geraldine was scandalised. Dont you remember all Ive done for you? And now you tell me your wife your wife! would leave her own mother-in-law on the street?

No ones putting you on the street, Mum.

Well, good! That settles it. Ive sorted the estate agent. By Wednesday everythings wrapped up, and my things arrive Thursday. Youll clear me a room. I dont take up much space.

Mum, I need to discuss this with Natasha first.

Whats to discuss? Her tone suddenly steely. Are you not the man of the house? This is your family! Your responsibility is your mother!

But, technically, Mum, the flat belongs to Natasha

Oh, is that so? Geraldines pride was thoroughly wounded. So what, youre just living off her now? Is that it? Im ashamed of you, Anthony!

Mum, its not that

Well, its all clear, Mum cut him off, frosty now. Ill make final arrangements in the morning. Be there to help with the move!

Short beeps signalled the end of the call.

Anthony stared at his phone and groaned. How was he going to explain all this to Natasha?

Natasha returned from yoga around seven, cheerful and glowing. Anthony was cooking always a sign something serious was brewing.

Whats happened? she asked, hanging up her coat.

Mum rang.

Natashas smile faded a shade. Her relationship with her mother-in-law could, at best, be described as cordially chilly.

What did she want?

Shes well, landed herself in a scrape.

What sort of scrape?

Anthony recounted every detail about Stephen Perkins and the great con. Natasha listened in silence, occasionally shaking her head.

And so? she asked when hed finished.

She wants to move in.

I see. Natasha sat at the table. And what do you think?

I think shes got no other choice.

Really? Natasha raised an eyebrow. What about renting a place? Staying with relatives? Social services for seniors they do exist.

Nat, shes my mum.

And so she has the right to run our lives? Natasha leaned back in her chair. Anthony, lets be blunt: your mum cannot stand me. Four years married and shes never skipped a chance to make me feel a rubbish wife.

Anthony stayed silent. It was the truth arguing was pointless.

Remember at Vickys birthday? Natasha continued. Any respectable housewife would make her own dumplings, not buy them at Tesco! even though Id only just got home at nine!

She didnt mean it badly.

Oh really? Natasha let out a dry laugh. And her remarks about normal wives have babies within two years? Or how she moves my stuff to proper places?

Anthony rubbed his brow. All those tiny incidents added up to a bleak reality.

Nat, its just her way. She has to be in charge.

Exactly! Natasha got up. And you want her in charge in our home? Over our lives?

But where would she go?

Anthony, shes a grown woman. She can figure something out for herself she made this mess. Shell have money from the flat sale she can rent. Or buy something smaller.

Shell barely have enough to pay off the mortgage.

Then social services. Or she can find work. Plenty of seventy-year-olds still working these days.

But Nat, really

No, Natasha said firmly. Im not living under the same roof as someone who despises me. Its not about who owns the flat; its about not allowing our house to become a battleground.

Maybe just until she finds something? Anthony ventured.

Temporary? Natasha looked at him with pity. Anthony, do you truly think shell ever look for an alternative? Shes deliberately set things up so theres no way out!

You think she planned it?

What do you think? Natasha went to the window. Seventy, worked as an accountant all her life and doesnt realise you dont hand every penny over to a stranger? She knew very well. She used it as an excuse to move in.

Anthony didnt reply. Deep down, he couldnt ignore the logic.

Anthony, Natasha said gently, turning to him, I love you. But I wont let anyone even your mum wreck our marriage.

He went over and hugged her.

What should I do?

Be a grown man, she replied. Tell your mum: this is your family now. You love her but you make your own life.

She wont understand.

Then thats her problem. Not yours.

The next day Anthony called his mum. It was brutal.

What do you mean youre not ready? Geraldine huffed. Ive sorted everything! The flats sold!

Mum, we can help financially. Well help find a rental, pay the first few months.

Money? Mum scoffed. Ive got my own son, my own family! Why would I need outsiders help?

Mum, its not outsiders Im your son.

Your decision? Her voice was pained. Anthony, I gave you everything! This is how you thank me?

Mum, Im grateful. But Im grown up, I have my own family.

What family! Geraldine exploded. Family means me!

Mum, thats enough.

Oh, enough is it? Now her voice turned to ice. Fine. Youve made your choice. Live as you please. Just remember when things turn sour, I wont even be picking up the phone!

Call ended.

Anthony explained everything to Natasha.

She said I betrayed her, he sighed.

Classic guilt-trip, she replied calmly. Shell adjust. You know, after Dad died, my mum tried the same thing. Sulked when I refused. Now shes grateful shes got her own life, her own friends.

What if she gets sick though?

Then well help. But that doesnt mean she lives here.

The week passed in tense silence. Then one day Anthonys sister Sarah rang.

Anthony, she said anxiously, Mums in hospital. Heart attack.

What?! What happened?

The doctors say its stress. She was fretting about selling the flat. And your row didnt help.

Guilt returned, full force.

How is she?

Shes lying there, whimpering, always asking about you. Keeps saying, Hell regret it when hes burying his mother.

Sarah, thats

I know its a manipulation! Sarah groaned. But I still worry.

That evening Anthony shared the news with Natasha.

Lets go see her, Natasha suggested unexpectedly.

Are you serious?

As a heart attack. She should see we care.

In the ward, Geraldine looked tiny and fragile. When they entered, she turned, ostentatiously, to face the wall.

Mum, Anthony said softly. How are you feeling?

Does it matter to you? she murmured, not looking at him.

Mrs. Harper, Natasha stepped in gently. Can we talk?

Geraldine slowly turned.

Whats there to say?

To acknowledge youre having a tough time. To say we want to help but in the way we can, not the way you demand.

I dont want your pity.

Its not pity, Natasha said patiently. Its love. Well help you find a lovely place, cover the rent. Visit, have you round for Sunday roast. But living together just wont work.

But why? Now, Geraldines voice held none of its usual bite.

We need our space. And you do too. Youre used to running your own home. We have our own routines, our own way.

And if Im not well?

Well come. Anytime, day or night. But it doesnt mean we should all live crammed together.

Geraldine was quiet for a while, then asked softly,

Will you really help me find somewhere nice?

Of course, Natasha nodded.

And youll visit?

Absolutely. And invite you over for all the holidays. Youre going to be granny to our future children.

Geraldines eyes grew watery.

Future children?

Were planning, Natasha grinned.

I thought muttered Geraldine. I thought you didnt want me around at all.

Of course we want you.

Within a month, they helped Geraldine move into a cosy two-bedroom flat near the local park. Helped her settle, introduced her to neighbours. She joined a crochet club, made friends with a fellow sprightly pensioner.

After that, she dropped by once a week. And when Natasha had a daughter a year later, Geraldine became the worlds greatest grandmother.

You know, she said to Natasha one afternoon, its lucky you stood your ground. Id have shriveled up if Id moved in. Now Ive got new hobbies, new friends!

Natasha smiled.

We did the right thing.

As Anthony cradled their little daughter, he thought how important it is to say “no” even to family. Sometimes, only a well-timed “no” can keep love alive.

So, what about you? If a relative tried to solve their problems at your expense, what would you do? Do tell share your stories below!