Youre not family, snapped the motherinlaw, scooping the meat back into the pot.
Mabel froze beside the hob, a plate clutched in her hands. A thin gravy from the stew her motherinlaw, Agnes Harper, had just ladled over lingered on the rim. Bits of beef disappeared into the saucepan one after another as if Agnes were counting each piece out loud.
Excuse me? Mabel asked, halfexpecting the kitchen walls to answer.
Whats so shocking? Agnes replied, wiping her hands on her apron before turning to her daughterinlaw. We never invited you in. Youve barged in yourself.
The kitchen was so quiet you could hear the soup simmering. Mabel set her plate down, brushed a stray lock from her forehead, and felt her hands tremble.
Agnes Harper, I dont understand. Victor and I have been married five years! We have a daughter.
And what of it? the old woman snapped. Our little Liza is our blood, thats all. Youll stay an outsider.
The kitchen door swung open and Victor trudged in, hair in disarray, shirt untucked clearly hed napped on the sofa after a long shift.
Whats happening here? he asked, scanning his wife and mother. Why are you shouting?
Were not shouting, Agnes said calmly. Just having a chat. Im explaining to your wife how one behaves in this house.
Victor narrowed his eyes at Mabel, who stood pale, lips pressed tight.
Mum, what did you just say?
I said whats true. The meat isnt for everyone. The familys big, the cuts are few.
A lump rose in Mabels throat. That was it. Five years shed believed shed become part of the clan, five years of trying to please the motherinlaw, swallowing her barbs, hoping the relationship would thaw.
Victor, Im going home, she whispered to him. To my mothers.
Home? Your home is here now, snaped Agnes. Do you think you can come and go as you please?
Please, Mum, Victor stepped toward Mabel. Whats happened?
Mabel stayed silent. How could she explain to her husband that his mother had just made it crystal clear she was a stranger, that even a plate of stew was too much?
Ill collect Liza, she said instead of answering. Then take her to my Mum for the weekend.
Why bother? the motherinlaw huffed. Grandmas right next door, why haul a child away?
Grandma thinks her mother isnt family either, Mabel replied quietly. Maybe the grandchildren will find a better spot.
She turned and headed for the kitchen exit. Victor caught her wrist.
Lennox, wait! Explain properly whats going on.
Mabel spun around. Victor stared, bewildered, while Agnes pretended to stir the soup.
Ask Mum, Mabel said. Shell tell you better.
Threeyearold Lottie was busy with her dolls. Spotting her mother, she ran over, beaming.
Mum! Look, Im feeding Kitty!
Good job, love, Mabel crouched and hugged her. Do you want some food?
I do! Grandma said therell be stew today!
It will, sunshine. Well go eat at Grandmas, Martha, Mabel promised.
Your Mums? Lottie squealed. Yay! And Dad coming?
No, Daddy stays home.
Mabel started packing Lotties things dresses, tights, toys everything needed for a few days. As she folded, Victor peeked in.
Lenny, whats this about a nursery? What nonsense is this?
A nursery? Mabel sat up, eyeing him. Your mother told me Im not family! She took my food away! Is that nonsense?
Your mother was a bit harsh, but shell forget tomorrow, Victor muttered.
I wont forget, Victor! This isnt the first time.
Come off it! Mums just tired. Works a nightmare, thats why she snapped.
Mabel laughed, a bitter laugh.
Five years of her being tired, and it always lands on me.
Dont mind it, Victor said, rubbing his neck, a gesture Mabel knew all too well.
Ignore being called a stranger in my own home? Really, Victor?
Victor paced, hand on his head. Lenny, where are you off to? Were a family. We have a child.
Thats why Im leaving. I dont want Lottie hearing her mum being put down.
Whos putting you down? Mum was just voicing an opinion.
Opinion? Mabel halted her packing, staring at Victor. She took my food! She called me a stranger! Thats an opinion?
Well maybe she was blunt. But you know mums carried us all these years. Dad died early; she raised us and my brother alone. Shes used to running the show.
And now Im supposed to endure her control forever?
Victor sat on the edge of the bed, took Mabels hands.
Lenny, lets not fight. Ill talk to my mum, sort it out.
What will you say? That Im a person too? That I have feelings?
Exactly. Ill ask her to be nicer.
Mabel shook her head.
Its not about niceness. Its that your mother wont accept me, and you know it.
Your mum just needs time
Five years is a long time! How much more?
From the kitchen came Agness voice.
Victor! Dinners ready! Itll be fine!
Victor stood.
Lets eat properly, then talk, he said.
No, thanks. Ive lost my appetite.
He lingered, then slipped away. Mabel heard the muffled exchange between him and his mother but could make out only snippets raised voices, then soft sighs.
She dialed her own mothers number.
Mum? Can we stay with you for a few days?
Of course, dear. Whats happened?
Well tell you on the road.
Alright. Ive made a big pot of shepherds pie plenty for everyone.
Mabel managed a smile. Her mother always said thered be enough for everyone, never counting portions.
Lottie chattered happily on the coach, babbling about dolls and tomorrows plans.
Mom, why isnt Daddy coming with us? she asked as they neared the house.
Daddy works, love. Hell be back later.
At the door, Evelyn Parker greeted them with a warm smile. She was the polar opposite of Agnes gentle, ready to help.
Oh, Ive missed you both! she lifted Lottie into her arms. My dear granddaughter! Look how youve grown!
Gran, any new bedtime stories?
Plenty! Well read after dinner.
At the table Evelyn ladled generous portions of shepherds pie, humming.
Eat, eat, youre looking a bit skinny, Mabel. Not getting enough food?
Im fed, Mum. Just not feeling hungry.
Tomorrow itll be better. A good home does that.
The house was cosy checkered curtains, an old sideboard with china, family photos on the walls. No one here ever called anyone a stranger.
After dinner, when Lottie was asleep, the women settled with tea.
Tell me whats been happening, Evelyn said, pouring tea into mugs.
Mabel recounted the kitchen showdown, the meat, the motherinlaws words. Evelyn listened, nodding occasionally.
How did Victor react?
He said Mum was just tired, that I should ignore it.
Understandable, Evelyn murmured, stirring sugar. And how do you feel?
Im exhausted. Five years of trying and she still wont accept me. She always finds something to cling to.
Give me examples.
Mabel sighed. I cook the wrong way, clean the wrong way, Im a bad mum when Lottie was ill last month she even told me Im a terrible mother.
What about Victor?
Hes quiet, or says Mum is just worried about the grandchild.
Evelyn set her mug down.
Darling, are you happy in this marriage?
The question caught Mabel offguard. She stared out the window at the evening lights.
I dont know. It used to be fine. Now I feel like a stranger in my own family.
Why didnt you tell me earlier?
I hoped it would pass, that Agnes would grow used to me.
Seems she never did.
They sat in silence, sipping tea as rain began to patter against the panes.
Mum, how did your own mother take you in?
Evelyn smiled. Your grandma Kate called me her daughter from day one. She said, Now I have two daughters. She treated me better than her own sister Zina.
Why?
Because she saw I loved her son, and he loved me. When love is there, theres room for everyone.
Mabel wondered whether Victor truly loved her or was just settled.
Her phone rang Victors name flashed on the screen.
Mabel, where are you? his voice sounded worried.
At Mums. I told you.
When will you be back?
Dont know. Maybe Sunday.
Sunday? You have work tomorrow.
I called in sick. Said I was ill.
A pause.
Mabel, stop this drama, come home. Well talk properly.
Whats there to talk about? That your mother doesnt think Im a person?
She justneeds time.
Five years is a long time.
Dont make it complicated. Were one family.
One family? Mines nonexistent, apparently.
Mabel hung up. Her mother quietly handed her a handkerchief.
Cry if you must. Itll help.
But no tears fell, only a hollow feeling, as if a weight had finally slipped off her shoulders.
The next morning Evelyn went to the market for groceries. Mabel stayed home with Lottie, playing dressup, reading, making playdough. Lottie was delighted Grandma let her do anything she wanted, unlike the other house.
Mom, why arent we at home? Lottie asked over lunch.
Were visiting Grandma Martha.
How long?
I dont know, love.
Will Daddy come?
Mummy says he works, but he loves us.
Mabel looked at her little girl, already sensing something amiss.
Daddy works, but he loves us, she said.
And Grandma Martha loves us?
A heavy sigh escaped her.
She does. Youre her granddaughter, after all.
What about you?
Mabel couldnt find an answer. How do you explain to a threeyearold that adults can be cruel for no reason?
Shall we play hideandseek? she suggested.
Lottie clapped and darted off to hide.
That evening Victor called again.
Lenny, Mum wants to apologise.
Really?
Yes. She realised she was wrong.
What did she realise?
Well that its rude to call you outside the family. You are part of us.
Mabel shook her head, even though Victor couldnt see her.
Victor, shes apologising because you forced her. Not because shes had a change of heart.
Whats the difference?
The difference is whether itll happen again.
It wont. Ive had a serious talk with her.
What did you say?
Victor fell silent.
I told her youre my wife and she must respect you.
Must? As an order?
Mabel, why are you digging? Im on your side!
Then why did you stay silent for five years? Let her put me down?
I didnt let her
You did, Victor! Your silence was permission!
In the background Agness voice floated: Tell her Ive made a soup with meatballs her favourite!
Mabel closed her eyes. Even now the motherinlaw couldnt simply say sorry without adding a side of fauxconcern.
Ill think about it, she said.
What are you thinking about? Come back tomorrow and everything will be fine.
It wont be, she whispered. I cant keep living where Im not respected. I cant raise Lottie in constant tension.
What are you saying?
I need time to think about us, about our marriage, about the future.
Silence stretched, then Victor finally asked:
Are you thinking of a divorce?
I dont know. Maybe.
Because of Mum?
No, because of you. You never stood up for me, not once in five years.
Mabel hung up, turned off the phone. Her hands still trembled, but a strange calm settled over her.
Evelyn returned from the market, bags full of groceries.
Help me unpack? she asked. Got extra meat for extra meatballs Lottie loves them.
Mabel helped, arranging the haul. Indeed there was more than enough meat for everyone.
Mum, what do you think matters most in a family?
Evelyn thought a moment.
Love, I suppose. And respect. Without those, theres no family.
And if ones missing?
Then its not a family, its a burden.
Mabel nodded. Her mother always knew how to boil things down.
Later they watched cartoons with Lottie, who snuggled between her mother and Grandma on the sofa. It was warm, peaceful.
Mom, will we go home tomorrow? Lottie asked before drifting off.
Maybe, Mabel replied. Do you want to?
Not really. Its nicer here, Grandmas kind.
Children sense more than adults realise; Lottie clearly preferred the gentle atmosphere of her grandmothers home.
A knock sounded at the door early the next morning. Victor stood there, a bunch of wildflowers in hand.
Hi, he said, a hint of nervousness in his voice. May I come in?
Evelyn welcomed him, then set about making tea. Lottie ran to hug her dad.
Daddy! Youre here!
Of course, love. I missed you.
Victor dropped onto the sofa beside Mabel.
Lenny, Ive been thinking all night. You were right. I should have protected you.
So what now?
Now things will be different. I promise.
What guarantees?
Victor fished a set of keys from his pocket.
Ive arranged a flat for us. A months rent, just while we sort things out. We can try living apart.
Mabel stared, surprised.
Seriously?
Absolutely. Mum was against it, but I insisted. My family matters more than her opinions.
What did she say?
Lots of shouting, but its irrelevant now.
Mabel took the tiny keys, feeling the weight of a fresh start. Small, ordinary, but they opened a door to a life where no one counted meat portions or labeled people inside or outside.
Victor, what if it doesnt work? What if money runs out?
It will. Ill work more, pick up a side job.
Evelyn entered with a tray.
Tea, Victor? Ready to eat?
Thanks, Evelyn, he replied, smiling.
She set the table, placing plates evenly, giving nobody a special treatment.
So, she said, sitting down, shall we celebrate the new flat?
Mabel looked at Victor, then at Evelyn, then at Lottie, who was carefully spreading butter on toast.
We will, she said. Well definitely celebrate.
The next day theyd go see the new flat theirs, albeit rented, a place where nobody would tally up bits of meat or separate people into ours and theirs.
A place where everyone would have a seat at the table.
What do you think of all this? How would you deal with an overbearing motherinlaw? Do give a like if youve enjoyed the tale.
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