Kate, has Thomas already told you? the motherinlaw asked, sounding a bit conspiratorial. Listen, were expecting up to twenty guests, so well start the prep in the evening. Ill get there early, around six.
In the evening? Kate replied, skeptical. No, I never agreed to that.
Hold on, Im not done yet. Ive already sent Thomas a shopping list; he promised to pick everything up.
Thomas had always been the goto for his older sister, Lucy. By the time she hit thirty shed been married twice and divorced twice, and each time she blamed the man just the wrong one. Their mother, Martha Hart, had been telling her son since childhood:
A sister needs help.
And Thomas did help. Money when Lucy was temporarily out of work, fixing up her rented flat, hauling her stuff after another split.
Then he got married.
Kate, his wife, put up with it at first. But when Lucy asked for the car for a few days for the fifth time in a year because her own kept breaking down, Kate finally said, gently but firmly:
Thomas, isnt it enough? We need the car this weekend too. I thought we had plans
Whats the problem? Cant we walk?
No. You cant walk to my parents cottage. Theyve put aside two buckets of cucumbers for us. I thought you heard me when I mentioned it.
Yeah I heard something, but you know Lucy has an urgent situation.
Again? What kind?
Im not sure, Thomas muttered, but she needs it more.
No, Thomas. This time it ends here! Either you say no to your sister, or you buy me a car. Im fed up taking the bus when you could drive me wherever I need to go.
Thomas paused, about to call Lucy to refuse, when Martha cut in:
Youd ditch your sister for your wife? Shes alone! Who else will help her but you?
So Thomas went back to his old routine, despite the spats with Kate. One day they didnt speak for a few days, and Thomas finally cracked:
Why are you silent? Upset?
Really? It took you three days to realise? Kate snapped.
I just cant understand what exactly?
Kate laughed at his confusion:
Seriously? You dont get it? Your 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 there for two days. Does that bother you at all?
Whats there to worry about? A few drinks, her ex showed up, we talked, I thought I should mark the occasion. Why would I have to drive? Thatd be rude.
You couldve at least called.
You couldve called too, Thomas shot back.
I did! Your phone was off. Can you imagine? I was a bundle of nerves, not knowing where my husband was. And he just decides to take a break from me, Kate vented.
Stop making things up, Thomas waved off, gesturing as if his phone was ringing.
He stepped onto the balcony, finally answering. He knew his wife wouldnt appreciate another chat with his sister.
Hi, brother! Lucy chirped on the line. My anniversary is in two weeks! Thirty years! You get it, right?
Thomas stole a glance at Kate, who was ladling soup.
So what do you want? he asked.
You always read me like a book! Lucy giggled. I want to celebrate at your place! Youve got a big living room. My rented flat is tiny and the landlords always on my case. A restaurant is pricey.
How about the café? Ill chip in whatever you need.
Are you out of your mind?! Lucy fumed. Its an anniversary! You expect me to foot the bill for a venue when youve got your own flat? And youll have to add to the cost anyway. Im not a millionaires daughter.
Let me talk to Kate first. Its her flat too. Maybe shes got plans.
Too late! Lucy cut him off. Ive already told everyone the partys at yours. Clear the flat for the whole day, alright? Mum says shell do the cooking.
Thomas sighed, covering his face with his hand, trying to think of a way out. The phone buzzed again, this time a message from his mother:
Lucy said to sort the menu. Heres the list. We still need the groceries. Ask Kate to help, and she can pitch in with the cooking.
Meanwhile Kate, clueless about Lucys upcoming bash, settled into her armchair with her phone, ready to watch her favourite series. When Thomas entered the room, eyes lowered, she sensed something was up.
So what now? she asked calmly, pausing the show.
Kate, listen Lucy anniversary, you know, thirty years. Its a date. She wants to celebrate.
Kate lifted her head.
Fine, let her celebrate. Are we banning her?
Thomas scratched the back of his neck.
Its not that. She wants to do it at our place.
What?! Kate sprang up. Our flat?
Yeah, but just for one evening. She says restaurants are expensive and her flat is cramped
And? Youre on board?
I said Id talk to you first! But Lucys already invited everyone. Mums already planning the menu
Kate closed her eyes, took a deep breath.
Thomas, are you a grownup or just a messenger for Lucys wishes?
What are you starting?
Im starting, Kate said, holding up his phone with a hint of irony. And what, nobody even called me? This is my flat, not a transit hub for your relatives. Lucy wants a party here, Ive got to help her, your mums also involved, and nobody bothered to ask me!
Just then Kates phone rang.
Ah, the cherry on top, she murmured, waving the handset. Your mum, she showed it to Thomas.
Kate, has Thomas already told you? the motherinlaw interjected again. Look, therell be up to twenty people. Well start cooking in the evening. Ill be there around six the night before.
In the evening? Kate laughed skeptically. No, I never signed up for that.
Hold on, Im not done. Thomas already has the shopping list, he promised to buy everything.
Suppose Kate tossed back. And the money? Where will we get it?
Thomas promised to help, Martha replied curtly.
Right. So you want to turn my flat into a restaurant and we foot the bill?
Lucy isnt a stranger! Its just one day, some chopping, salads, sandwiches Youre the lady of the house!
Martha Hart, Kate interrupted, I just found out about this party. I never gave permission for Lucys birthday to be in my flat.
What, my flat? You and Thomas are a married couple. Everythings joint! the motherinlaw snapped.
Dont say that. If the flat belonged to Thomas, you wouldnt say it like that. Then Id just be a dependent.
Stop the nonsense. Thats it, conversations over. We need to buy everything by Friday, Martha said, hanging up.
What was that? Kate asked Thomas after the brief beeps.
Enough playing the victim! Thomas finally blurted. Youve been told youre wrong. Admit it and stop digging in.
Kate was stunned. She rose, opened the wardrobe, and silently pulled out a large gym bag. She slipped into the bedroom, opened the chest of drawers, and methodically folded Thomass Tshirts and jeans.
Meanwhile Thomas, feeling triumphant, slammed the fridge open, grabbed a bottle of lager, banged the doors, and plopped down in front of the TV as if nothing had changed.
He thought Kate would just cool off and everything would go back to normal. A little grumble, a sigh, then peace. He even flicked on the football, assuming Kate would pop in and call him to dinner. He was wrong.
Half an hour later Kate stood in the hallway, a shopping bag in one hand and the overstuffed gym bag in the other. Thomas left the lounge to head for the fridge, only to find his wife waiting.
Whats this now? he muttered. What kind of drama have you staged?
Kate looked at him coldly:
This isnt drama, Thomas. Its the end. Im done being a shadow in my own life, a footnote in your flat, a backdrop for your mums and sisters whims. If you want to be the good son and brother, go back to your mum. Help her plan the party. Im sure shell gladly give you a corner of her living room.
Youre serious? he took a step toward her. Im not going back.
Absolutely serious, Kate nodded. I dont want you returning. Ive tolerated enough that I now even question myself. But Ive had my fill. If you cant learn to respect me in three years, things will only get worse.
Kate you cant just tear everything apart! Not now!
You cant rebuild whats already collapsed.
Thomas smirked, still not grasping that Kate had made up her mind.
And, Kate added, all your shirts and jeans are right here. No need to thank me. Pack them up and get out now.
He tried to say something, but Kate opened the front door. Thomas stood there, anger flaring, cheeks hot, lips pressed tight. He still hoped Kate would relent, but her calm only drove him madder.
Well, then! he shouted. Think youll find anyone better? Good luck hunting for a man like me!
Kate huffed and stepped back:
A man like you? Youll have to look far thank heavens.
Youll regret this! Thomas yelled, pawing at the bag. Youll be on your knees when you realise nobody even wants to talk to you! Without me youre nobody!
If nobody means a person who lives in their own flat, works, doesnt cater to a husbands relatives and refuses to put up with rudeness, then Im happy being nobody.
Thomas left, and Kate was left alone. She breathed deeply, went to the window, pulled the curtain aside, and watched as her ex shoved the bag into the boot of a taxi.
Months slipped by.
The divorce was messy. Thomas tried to paint Kate as greedy and materialistic. The biggest fight was over the car they bought together. He insisted hed paid for it alone; Kate argued shed been the one driving it.
Your Honour, I paid for the whole car, registration in my name! he declared. My wife contributed nothing!
Kate calmly opened a folder, laid out bank statements, transfer receipts, copies of invoices, even the downpayment agreement shed signed.
Im not claiming his share, but I wont give up mine, she said evenly.
The judge sided with fairness.
Thomas didnt like it. Hed already considered the car his, and now hed have to sell it and split the proceeds. He left the courtroom fuming.
At home his motherinlaw was waiting with a tirade.
Are you an idiot? she shouted. You gave her everything! The car! The flat! And you didnt even get a decent solicitor!
On top of that, Thomas had taken out a loan to foot Lucys anniversary dinner at a restaurant, because hed helped her with the flat. Now he was left with a tiny cosy corner in his motherinlaws spare room.
Kate, for the first time in ages, slept peacefully. She decided she was still young enough to move on from men like Thomas. Good men were out there; she just needed to spot the right ones when the time came.
