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

“You’re no family of ours,” said the mother-in-law, moving the meat from her daughter-in-laws plate back into the pot.

Helen froze by the stove, holding her plate. A bit of gravy from the stew Ruth had just made still lingered on it. The pieces of meat vanished one by one into the pot, as if her mother-in-law were counting them out.

“Excuse me?” Helen asked, not believing her ears.

“Whats hard to understand?” Ruth wiped her hands on her apron and turned to face her. “We never welcomed you into this family. You forced your way in.”

The kitchen fell so silent that the bubbling of the soup on the hob was the only sound. Helen set her plate on the table and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. Her hands trembled.

“Ruth, I dont understand. Vic and I have been married five years! We have a daughter”

“What of it?” Ruth cut her off. “Lily is our bloodthats true. But you? Youll always be an outsider.”

The kitchen door creaked open, and Victor walked in, his hair tousled, shirt half-unbuttonedclearly hed been napping on the sofa after work.

“Whats going on?” he asked, glancing between his wife and mother. “Why are you shouting?”

“Were not shouting,” Ruth said calmly. “Just talking. Explaining to your wife how things work in this house.”

Victor frowned and looked at Helen. She stood pale-lipped, fists clenched.

“Mum, what did you say?”

“The truth. That meat isnt for everyone. Big family, small portions.”

Helen felt a lump rise in her throat. So that was it. Five years shed thought she was part of this family. Five years bending over backward for her mother-in-law, enduring her jabs and nitpicking, hoping time would smooth things over.

“Vic, Im going home,” she said softly. “To Mums.”

“What do you mean, *home*?” Ruth snapped. “This is your home now. Or do you think you can come and go as you please?”

“Mum, stop,” Victor stepped toward Helen. “What happened?”

Helen stayed silent. How could she explain that his mother had just made it clear she meant nothing here? That even a plate of stew was too much to spare for her?

“Ill pack Lilys things,” she said instead. “Well stay with Mum for the weekend.”

“And why would you do that?” Ruth huffed. “Her grandmothers right here. Why drag the child around?”

“Her grandmother thinks her mother isnt family,” Helen said quietly. “Maybe her granddaughter belongs somewhere else too.”

She turned to leave the kitchen. Victor grabbed her wrist.

“Wait! Just tell me whats going on.”

Helen turned back. Her husband looked bewildered, while Ruth stood by the stove, pretending to stir the soup.

“Ask your mother,” Helen said. “Shell explain it better.”

In the nursery, three-year-old Lily was playing with dolls. She beamed when she saw her mum.

“Mummy! Look, Im feeding Katie!”

“Well done, sweetheart.” Helen knelt and hugged her. “Are you hungry?”

“Yes! Grandma said theres stew tonight.”

“There is, darling. But were going to have dinner at Nanas instead.”

“Nanas?” Lily clapped. “Yay! Is Daddy coming?”

“No, Daddys staying home.”

Helen began packing Lilys clothes, toys, whatever theyd need for a few days. As she folded a dress, Victor appeared in the doorway.

“Come on, Helen. This is ridiculous. Over some nonsense?”

“Ridiculous?” She straightened up. “Your mother just told me Im not family! Took food from my plate! Thats *nonsense*?”

“She says things! You know how she is. Shell forget by tomorrow.”

“I wont forget, Vic! This isnt the first time.”

“Oh, give it a rest! Shes just tired. Stressed at work, took it out on you.”

Helen laughed, bitter.

“Tired? Five years of being tired? And always taking it out on me?”

“Just ignore her!”

“Ignore being called a stranger in my own home? Listen to yourself!”

Victor rubbed his necka familiar gesture when he was stuck for words.

“Where will you go? Were family. We have a child.”

“Thats why Im leaving. I wont let Lily hear her mother being treated like this.”

“Treated like what? Mum just spoke her mind.”

“Spoke her mind?” Helen stopped packing. “She took food from me, Vic! Said I dont belong! Thats *just her mind*?”

“Well maybe it came out harsh. But she raised us alone after Dad died. Shes used to controlling things.”

“And Im supposed to live with that forever?”

Victor sat on the bed and took her hands.

“Lets not fight. Ill talk to Mum, sort it out.”

“Sort *what*? That Im a person? That I have feelings?”

“Yes! Ill tell her to back off.”

Helen shook her head.

“Its not about her being rude. She doesnt *accept* me. And youve always known.”

“She just needs time”

“Five years wasnt enough? How much longer?”

From the kitchen, Ruth called:

“Victor! Dinners ready!”

He stood.

“Come on, lets eat. Well talk after.”

“No thanks. Ive lost my appetite.”

He hesitated, then left. Helen 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 happened?”

“Ill explain later. Were on our way.”

“Alright. Ive made soupplenty for everyone.”

Helen smiled faintly. Her mother always said *plenty for everyone*. Never counted portions.

Lily chattered happily on the bus about her dolls and plans for tomorrow.

“Mummy, why didnt Daddy come?” she asked as they reached her grandmothers house.

“Daddys working, sweetheart. Hell visit soon.”

Her mother greeted them warmly. Eileen was everything Ruth wasntkind, gentle, always ready to help.

“Ive missed you!” She scooped Lily up. “Look how big you are!”

“Nana, do you have new stories?”

“Of course! Well read after dinner.”

At the table, Eileen ladled soup into bowls.

“Eat up. Helen, youve lost weight. Arent they feeding you?”

“They do. Just havent been hungry.”

“You will be. Nothing like home.”

*Home.* Helen looked aroundthe cozy kitchen, the old china cabinet, photos on the walls. Here, no one called her a stranger.

After dinner, once Lily was asleep, they talked over tea.

“Tell me what happened,” Eileen said.

Helen didthe words, the stew, Ruths cruelty. Eileen listened quietly.

“How did Vic react?”

“Same as always. Said she was tired, that I should let it go.”

“I see.” Eileen stirred her tea. “And how do *you* feel?”

“Exhausted. Five years trying, and she still hates me. Criticises everythinghow I cook, clean, raise Lily.”

“Does Vic ever stand up for you?”

“Never. He just says she worries about Lily.”

Eileen set her cup down.

“Are you happy in this marriage?”

The question caught Helen off guard. She stared out the window.

“I dont know. I used to be. Now I feel like an outsider in my own family.”

“Why didnt you tell me sooner?”

“I thought it would pass. That shed accept me.”

“Seems she hasnt.”

Rain tapped against the window.

“Mum when you married Dad, how did Grandma treat you?”

Eileen smiled.

“Your gran? Called me *daughter* from day one. Said she had two nowme and Aunt Joan.”

“Why?”

“Because she saw I loved her son. And he loved me. Where theres love, theres room for everyone.”

Helen wondereddid Vic love her? Truly? Or was it just habit?

The phone rang. Victors name flashed.

“Helen? Where are you?” His voice was tense.

“At Mums. Like I said.”

“When are you coming home?”

“I dont know. Maybe Sunday.”

“What do you mean? You work Monday.”

“I took leave. Said I was ill.”

A pause.

“Stop sulking. Come home. Well talk.”

“About *what*? Your mother treating me like dirt?”

“Oh, get over it! Shes just like that. Needs time.”

“Five years wasnt enough