You’re Not Family,” Said the Mother-in-Law as She Scooped the Meat Back from Her Daughter-in-Law’s Plate into the Pot

**Diary Entry**

I stood frozen by the stove, clutching the plate in my hands. A smear of gravy from the beef stew Mum had just made clung to it. One by one, she plucked the pieces of meat off my plate and back into the pot, as if counting each one.

*”You’re not family,”* she said flatly.

*”Excuse me?”* I barely recognised my own voice.

*”Whats not clear?”* Mum wiped her hands on her apron and turned to me. *”We never accepted you. You forced your way in.”*

The kitchen fell so silent I could hear the soup bubbling on the hob. I set the plate down, brushing a strand of hair from my forehead. My hands trembled.

*”Mum, I dont understand. Tom and I have been married five years! We have a daughter”*

*”So?”* she cut in. *”Emilys our blood, thats true. But you? Youll always be an outsider.”*

The door creaked open, and Tom shuffled in, hair tousled, shirt half-buttonedclearly just woken from a nap.

*”Whats going on?”* He glanced between us. *”Why the shouting?”*

*”Were not shouting,”* Mum said smoothly. *”Just talking. Explaining how things work in this house.”*

Tom frowned at me. I stood there, pale, lips pressed tight.

*”Mum, what did you say?”*

*”The truth. That the meat isnt for everyone. Big family, not enough to go around.”*

A lump rose in my throat. There it was. Five years believing I belonged. Five years biting my tongue, enduring her jabs, hoping time would soften her.

*”Tom, Im going home,”* I whispered. *”To my mums.”*

*”What dyou mean, home?”* Mum scoffed. *”Your home is here now. Or do you think you can come and go as you please?”*

*”Mum, stop,”* Tom stepped toward me. *”What happened?”*

I didnt answer. How could I explain that his mother had just made it clearI was nothing here? That even a plate of stew was too much to spare?

*”Ill pack Emilys things,”* I said instead. *”Take her to my mums for the weekend.”*

*”Why?”* Mum bristled. *”Her grandmothers right here!”*

*”A grandmother who thinks her mum isnt family,”* I said quietly. *”Maybe her granddaughter deserves better too.”*

I turned to leave. Tom grabbed my wrist.

*”Liz, wait! Talk to me properly.”*

I faced him. His confusion was written plain, while Mum stirred the soup, pretending not to listen.

*”Ask your mother,”* I said. *”Shell explain it better.”*

—

In the nursery, three-year-old Emily played with her dolls. She beamed when she saw me.

*”Mummy! Look, Im feeding Rosie!”*

*”Well done, sweetheart.”* I knelt to hug her. *”Are you hungry?”*

*”Yes! Granny said were having stew tonight.”*

*”We are, love. But well have it at Grandma Sues instead.”*

*”Your mummys?”* She clapped. *”Yay! Is Daddy coming?”*

*”No. Daddys staying home.”*

I began stuffing clothes into a bagdresses, tights, toys, enough for days. Tom appeared in the doorway.

*”Liz, this is ridiculous. Over some stupid row?”*

*”Ridiculous?”* I straightened. *”Your mother just told me Im not family! Took food off my plate! Thats stupid to you?”*

*”Mum says things! You know shes got a temper.”*

*”And Im supposed to forget?”*

*”Just ignore her!”*

*”Ignore being called a stranger in my own home? Tom, listen to yourself!”*

He rubbed his neckthat familiar gesture when he was out of his depth.

*”Liz, where will you go? Were family. Weve got Emily.”*

*”Thats why Im leaving. I wont let her hear her mum belittled.”*

*”Whos belittling you? Mum just voiced an opinion!”*

*”An opinion?”* I stopped packing. *”She took food from me, Tom. Said I didnt belong. Is that an opinion?”*

*”Wellshe was blunt. But you know how she is. Dad died young; she raised me and my brother alone. Controls all shes got.”*

*”And Im supposed to live with that forever?”*

Tom sat on the bed, taking my hands. *”Liz, lets not fight. Ill talk to her.”*

*”Whatll you say? That Im human? That I have feelings?”*

*”Yeah. Ill tell her to back off.”*

I shook my head. *”Its not about rudeness, Tom. She doesnt accept me. And youve always known.”*

*”She just needs time”*

*”Five years isnt enough?!”*

Mums voice carried from the kitchen: *”Tom! Dinners ready!”*

He stood. *”Come on, lets eat. Well talk after.”*

*”No thanks. Ive lost my appetite.”*

He lingered, then left. The murmur of his and Mums voices rose and fell.

I dialled my mother. *”Mum? Can we stay a few days?”*

*”Of course, love. Whats wrong?”*

*”Ill explain later. Were leaving now.”*

*”Alright. Ive made a roastplenty to go round.”*

I smiled faintly. Mum never counted portions. Never made anyone feel less.

—

At Grandma Sues, Emily chattered happily. No sharp remarks, no tensionjust warmth.

Tom called that night. *”Liz, where are you?”*

*”At Mums. Like I said.”*

*”When are you coming back?”*

*”I dont know. Maybe Sunday.”*

*”What? Youve got work tomorrow!”*

*”I called in sick.”*

A pause. *”Liz, stop sulking. Come home. Well talk.”*

*”About what? Your mother not seeing me as human?”*

*”Oh, drop it! Shes just her. She needs time.”*

*”Five years wasnt enough?”*

*”Liz, dont make this harder. Were family.”*

*”Your family. Not mine, apparently.”*

I hung up.

—

The next morning, Tom arrived with flowers. *”Ive been thinking,”* he said, holding out keys. *”Ive rented us a flat. Just for a month. Well try living alone.”*

I stared. *”Youre serious?”*

*”Mum fought it, but I stood my ground. Told her my family comes first.”*

I took the keys. Small, ordinarybut they meant freedom. A chance without her interference.

*”Tom, what if it doesnt work? If moneys tight”*

*”Itll work.”*

Mum set the table. *”Shall we toast to your new place?”*

I looked at Tom, then Emily, buttering her bread with gusto.

*”Yes,”* I said. *”We will.”*

Tomorrow, wed see the flat. Ourswhere no one would count portions or divide people into *family* and *outsiders*.

Where thered always be a seat at the table.