Emily, has James already told you? the motherinlaw said, her voice echoing like a hallway clock. Listen! There will be up to twenty guests, so well start the preparations at dusk. Ill be there early, around six oclock.
At night? Emily repeated, skeptical, as if the sun were a stranger. I never agreed to that.
Hold on, Im not finished. James already sent me a grocery list; he promised to buy everything.
James had always been the man who rescued his older sister, Sarah. By the time she turned thirty, shed married twice and divorced twice, each time blaming the man for being the wrong one. Their mother, Margaret, had been lecturing her son since childhood:
A sister needs a brothers help.
So James helped. With money when Sarah was temporarily out of work, with repairs in her rented flat, with endless shuttles of boxes after yet another split.
And then he married.
Emily, his wife, had endured at first. But when Sarah, for the fifth time this year, asked for a few days to borrow their car because it had once again given up, Emily said softly but firmly:
James, isnt it enough? We need the car this weekend too. I thought we had plans
Whats the problem? We cant walk?
No. You cant walk to my parents cottage. Theyve gathered two buckets of cucumbers for us. I thought you heard me say that.
Right I heard something, but you know Sarahs situation is urgent.
Again? What exactly?
Im not sure, James muttered, but she needs more.
No, James. This time it ends! Either you refuse your sister, or you buy me a car. Im tired of the tram when you could drive me where I need to go.
James paused, about to call Sarah to turn her down, when Margaret swooped in like a stormcloud:
Are you going to abandon your sister for your wife? Shes alone! Who else will help her but you?
And James, despite the quarrels, helped again. Days passed without a word between them, and James finally snapped:
Why are you silent? Upset?
Really? It took you three days to notice? Emily snapped.
I just cant understand what exactly?
Emily laughed at the confusion:
Seriously? You dont get it? Your little sister took you away for the whole weekend because she needed to get to a friends cottage. I thought youd just give her a lift, but you ended up staying two days. Does that bother you?
What could bother me? A few drinks, her ex showing up, we chatted normally. I had to mark the occasion. Why should I have driven like a fool? It would have been ugly.
You could have at least called.
You could have tried too, James tossed back.
I did! Your phone was off. Imagine that! I was on edge, not knowing where my husband was. And he simply decided to take a break from me, Emily wailed, her voice cracking like glass.
Stop making stories up, James waved his hand, as if the phone ringing was a distant wind.
James stepped onto the balcony, finally answering the call where the world seemed to tilt. He knew his wife would never forgive another chat with his sister.
Hi, brother! Sarah chirped through the line. My anniversary is in two weeks! Thirty years! You get me?
James glanced at Emily, who was pouring soup as if it were rain.
So what do you want? he asked.
You always understand me! Sarah giggled. I want to celebrate at your place! Your living room is huge. Mines a cramped rental, and the landlady will scream. A restaurant is too costly.
Maybe a café? Ill add whatever you need.
Are you out of your mind?! Sarah snapped. Its an anniversary! You want me to pay for a venue when you have your own flat? And youll still have to chip in. Im not a millionaires daughter.
Let me talk to Emily first. Its her flat too. Maybe she has other plans.
Too late! Sarah cut him off. Ive already told everyone the partys at yours. Clear the flat for the whole day, okay? Mum says shell handle the cooking.
James sighed, covering his face with his hand, while his mind scrambled for an escape. The phone buzzed again, this time a message from his mother:
Sarah said to draft a menu. Heres the list of dishes. We need to buy the ingredients. Ask Emily to help. She can also assist with cooking.
Meanwhile, Emily, unaware of Sarahs looming jubilee, settled into her armchair with the remote, ready for her favourite series. When James entered, eyes downcast, she instantly sensed the shift.
So what now? she asked calmly, pausing the show.
Emily, listen Sarah anniversary, you know. Thirty years. Its a date. She wants to celebrate.
Emily lifted her head.
Let her celebrate then. Are we going to forbid it?
James scratched his scalp.
Its not that. She wants to celebrate at our place.
What?! Emily stood, her chair clattering. Wait, at our flat?
Yes, but just for one evening. She says the restaurant is pricey, and her home is too cramped
And what? You agreed?
I said Id talk to you first! But Sarah has already invited everyone. Mum is already planning the menu
Emily closed her eyes, inhaled deeply.
James, are you even an adult? Or just a conduit for Sarahs wishes?
What are you starting?
Im starting? Emily said, her voice dripping irony, flashing her phone. And nobody even called me? This is my flat, not a transit hub for your relatives. Sarah wants a party in my house, I have to help her, and assist your mum and no one asked me!
At that moment Emilys phone rang.
Ah, the cherry on the cake, she hissed. Your mum, she waved the phone in front of James.
Emily, has James told you? the motherinlaw crooned again. Look! Up to twenty people. Well start cooking at dusk. Ill be there around six, the night before.
Evening? Emily smiled skeptically. No, I didnt sign up for that.
Hold on, Im not done. James already has the shopping list; he promised to buy everything.
Suppose Emily shot back. And the money? Where will we get it?
James promised to help, Margaret replied shortly.
So you want to turn my flat into a restaurant and expect us to foot the bill? Emily could no longer hold back.
Sarah isnt a stranger! Can you not spare one day, slice some veg, make salads, sandwiches Youre the lady of the house!
Margaret, Emily interjected, I just learned about the party. I didnt give permission for Sarahs birthday in my flat.
You keep saying my flat. You and James are married. Everythings shared! the motherinlaw snapped.
Dont say that. If the flat were Jamess, youd speak differently. Then Id be, excuse me, just a kept woman.
Stop the nonsense. Thats it, conversation over. By Friday we need to buy everything, Margaret declared and hung up.
What was that? Emily asked James, hearing the short beeps.
Enough with the victim act! James finally shouted. Youve been told youre wrong. Admit your mistake and stop fighting.
Emily was stunned. She rose, slipped into the wardrobe and silently retrieved a large gym bag. She then went to the bedroom, opened the chest of drawers and began, methodically, folding Jamess Tshirts and jeans.
Meanwhile James, feeling triumphant, flung open the fridge, grabbed a pint of lager, slammed the door shut, and plumped himself onto the sofa in front of the telly as if nothing had changed.
He imagined Emily would cool off, and life would return to normal. A little sulk, a little grumble, then peace. He even turned the football on, expecting Emily to wander in and call him to dinner. He was wrong.
Half an hour later Emily stood in the hallway with a shopping bag, the gym bag now stuffed to the brim with his belongings. James left the lounge heading for the fridge, but stopped dead at the sight of his wife.
Whats this now? he muttered. What kind of theatre is this?
Emily looked at him, ice in her eyes:
This isnt theatre, James. Its the end. I will no longer be a shadow in my own life, a servant in my own flat, a backdrop for your mothers and sisters whims. If you want to be a good son and brother, go back to your mother. Prepare for the party together. Im sure shell gladly give you a corner in her drawingroom.
Are you serious? he stepped toward her. I wont go back.
Absolutely serious, Emily nodded. I dont want you returning. Ive tolerated enough to start questioning myself. But Ive had my fill. If you cant learn to respect me in three years, nothing will improve.
Emily you cant just tear everything apart! All at once!
You cant destroy whats already collapsed.
James sneered, still not grasping that Emily had made her final decision.
And thats that, Emily added, all your shirts and jeans are right here. No thanks needed. Pack up and leave now.
He opened his mouth, but Emily unlocked the front door. James stood, his cheeks flushed, lips clenched. He still hoped Emily would relent, but her calm was a sharper blade.
Well, good luck! he flung. Think youll find anyone better? There are plenty out there!
Emily huffed and took a step back:
People like you are indeed hard to find. Thank God.
Youll regret this! James shouted, lunging for the bag. Youll crawl on your knees when you realise no one wants to talk to you! Without me youre nobody!
If nobody means a person who lives in their own flat, works, doesnt cater to aging inlaws, and wont tolerate rudeness, then Im happy being nobody.
James left, and Emily stayed alone. She breathed deeply, walked to the window, pulled the curtain aside, and watched as her exhusband shoved the bag into a taxi boot with his foot.
Months slipped by.
The divorce was bitter. James tried to paint Emily as greedy and materialistic. The biggest battle was over the car bought during the marriage. He claimed hed paid for it outright, while Emily argued shed only been a passenger.
Your Honour, I paid every penny, the car is in my name! he declared confidently. My wife contributed not a single cent!
Emily calmly spread a folder of documents, laying bank statements, transfer receipts, and the signed deposit agreement on the table.
Im not claiming his share, but I wont give up mine either, she said evenly.
Justice sided with fairness.
James hated the verdict. Hed already considered the car his. Now hed have to sell it and split the proceeds. He left the courtroom with a face twisted by rage.
At home, no support awaited, only a storm of accusations.
Are you a fool? Margaret shouted. You gave her everything! The car! The flat! Why didnt you even hire a proper solicitor!
On top of that, James had taken out a loan to fund Sarahs anniversary at a restaurant, because hed set her up with the flat. Now he lived in a tiny corner of Margarets spare bedroom.
Emily, for the first time in ages, slept peacefully. She decided she was still young enough to walk away from men like James. Good men were out there; the key was to recognise who was who, and when.
