«Every Trouble Has a Single Source»
«George, are you having a laugh? Off to your mums again?»
«What do you expect me to do? Leave her freezing with no power or water?» he snapped, rummaging through his backpack. «Would you do that to your parents?»
«You know mine wouldnt put me in this position. They respect that I have a family and dont drag me into their dramas. But your mum» began Emily.
«Give it a rest. You know I have to help her,» George cut her off, waving a hand dismissively.
«I *do* know. But it still stings. Not because the boys will forget their fathers name, but because you wont even try to teach her independence. She made this messlet her sort it. Choose where your family is: there in the village, or here.»
Emily turned and marched to the bedroom. Half a minute later, the front door clicked shut. George was gone. She was alone again, left with their sons, whom shed promised a family day out in the park.
Once more, their father had slipped away. Once more, everything fell on Emily.
…Two years ago, it had all been different. She remembered the day vividly. Theyd visited her parents, bringing along MargaretGeorges motherso she wouldnt be lonely. She got on well enough with her in-laws, so no one minded.
As they sipped tea under the pergola, Margaret had a «brilliant» idea that flipped Emilys life upside down.
«Oh, its lovely here!» Margaret sighed, breathing deep. «I ought to move to the countryside. Perfect at my age. Peace, quiet, fresh air…»
Emilys mother smirked, thinking it was just wistful chatter.
«Its nice *visiting*,» her mother said bluntly. «But living here without a man in the house? No. Its not a holiday. Somethings always breaking. And no offence, love, but youre not cut out for it.»
Margaret pursed her lips, though there was nothing to take offence at. She wasnt lazy, just perpetually exhausted, even when shed done nothing.
«Oh, Im not after a farm! Just a little garden. Flowers, maybe a tree for shade. The grandkids would love ita paddling pool, grass to run on, not breathing in exhaust fumes.»
«Flowers need tending too. You can barely keep up in your flat, and thats just hoovering and wiping surfaces,» Emilys mother pointed out.
«You think we do this for fun?» her father chuckled. «A house is a money pit. Boiler breaks, roof leaks, fence collapses. And Margaretyoud be on your own.»
«Ill manage. Im not alone,» Margaret said stubbornly, glancing at George.
Emily raised an eyebrow but stayed silent. Arguing with her mother-in-law was like convincing a starving goat to ignore cabbage.
Margaret didnt argue further that day, just smiled like the Mona Lisa. Six months later, she was proudly leading them through her new cottage, inhaling the scent of roses from next doors garden. The place *was* nicemodern, comfortable.
«See? And you doubted me. Im never setting foot in that city again!» she declared.
But the bliss didnt last. First, Margaret asked George to help with redecorating. It dragged on for months, with him visiting every weekend. Emily grumbled but endured, trusting it would end.
Then the fence was painted, the walls paperedbut the list grew.
First, the power cut left Margaret without electricityor waterfor two days. George rushed over with bottled water and sedatives.
«My whole lifes on hold! No AC, no showerthis heats unbearable!» she wailed.
Next, she took in a stray dog, «just for a bit.» The poor thing had kidney issues. No vet in the village, so George drove it to the city.
«My boys poorly! But hes a good guard dog,» Margaret cooed.
Emily scrubbed dog sick from the car seats. Then came the special dietno pet shops nearby, so George delivered the food.
«I cant abandon Mum with a sick dog! You know how soft-hearted she is,» he defended.
«Soft-hearted for animals, not people,» Emily muttered.
George spent every free moment there, sometimes staying over midweek.
«Youll all be asleep by the time I get back,» hed say. «Ill leave early for work from hers.»
Emily waited for relief, but the crises piled upleaking roof, blocked septic tank, snow, overgrown grass. Margaret refused to lift a finger or even call a handyman.
«What if theyre crooks? Georgie, *you* find someone trustworthy and supervise.»
Emilys patience snapped when the power went out againthis time in late autumn. Briefly, but Margaret panicked.
«Em, Im buying Mum a generator tomorrow,» George announced casually.
She stiffened.
«With *our* money?»
«Well yes. You know shes tight after buying the cottage. Just her pension now.»
«Perfect. So were funding her dream home too. George, when does it *end*?»
He grimaced.
«Come off it. Shell freeze otherwise.»
Emily rolled her eyes but swallowed her words.
Now, alone in their bedroom, she considered divorce. He was never home anyway. But life wasnt *bad*… No, divorce was too extreme. She needed another way to stay sane.
And she found it.
…A week later, Emily rose early and dressed quietly. George stirred as she grabbed her keys.
«Where are you off to?» he mumbled.
«My parents.»
«What? I promised Mum Id prune her hedges today.»
«You didnt check with me. My parents need help too.»
«But theres two of them!»
«Age catches up. New rule: one weekend for your mum, one for mine.» She paused in the doorway. «Ohto-do lists on the fridge. Dont forget the boys homework. And make them pizza for lunch; they asked.»
She left, feeling his stare but not looking back. For the first time in ages, she wasnt rushing.
The «help» was symbolictidying upstairs, then lazing in the garden, reading, reminiscing over lunch. Shed forgotten what it was like to eat without the chorus of *»Mum!»*
Maybe there was no perfect fix. Maybe Margaret would never sell up or lift a finger herself. But now, Emily would safeguard this sliver of peace. A small victory, but hers.
