It was a Saturday. The day before, Allen’s mother had called, saying it was her birthday and insisting our whole family come to dinner at Allen’s younger brother and sister-in-law’s place. It was about an hour’s drive from Allen’s place to his brother’s. We arrived a little after eleven, carrying gifts. The brother and sister-in-law opened the door.
“Brother, sister-in-law, you’re here, come in.” They looked at me a little strangely, but I didn’t think much of it. Not until we got inside and saw who was busy in the kitchen did I understand their odd expressions.
Allen was displeased and demanded of his mother, “Why did you invite her?”
Allen’s mother calmly scooped up a dish, and Samantha took it from her, the two of them emerging from the kitchen like old friends.
Allen’s mother said, “Sam was your wife for over ten years. Is it wrong for me to invite her for a meal?”
Samantha said smugly, “Allen, you can’t forget the old just because you have a new wife. The second son’s wife is pregnant; if I didn’t come to help Mom out, who would?” She glanced meaningfully at me.
I knew Allen’s mother and Susan didn’t get along, and since Susan had set me and Allen up, it was understandable that Allen’s mother might not like me. Not wanting to invite trouble by offering help in the kitchen, I quietly sat on the sofa, switched the TV to a news channel, and instructed Allen, “Allen, go help your mom.”
Allen rolled up his sleeves and headed to the kitchen: “Mom, you rest. I’ll take over from here.”
Allen’s mother hurried after him: “Oh, no need for you, I can manage myself.” Despite her words, she just stood by and watched, offering instructions without actually stopping him.
Samantha, however, was vocal, complaining about Allen’s washing and his onion cutting. When Allen ignored her, she called Leon into the kitchen, trying to pull her son to her side.
Samantha: “Leon, look at the way your dad cooks like this. Would you eat it?”
Leon, initially hoping his mother had something to say to him, was disappointed by her words. He muttered quietly, “I’d eat it. Dad’s cooking is pretty good.”
Samantha, a bit embarrassed, forced a laugh: “This kid, learning to lie already.” Then, as if noticing something, she squeezed Leon’s shoulder and exclaimed dramatically, “Son, have you lost weight?”
This exclamation drew everyone’s attention, even Allen’s. Allen’s mother also came over, pinched Leon’s shoulder, and frowned: “He has lost weight.”
Samantha, triumphant, quickly pulled Leon out and asked her sister-in-law for a scale. Leon obediently let his mother lead him, taking off his shoes and stepping onto the scale as instructed. Seeing the number, Samantha’s face fell: “Oh my, lost almost ten pounds! Mom’s only been gone a short while, and you’ve lost that much! You’re growing, and without proper meals, how will you develop properly? A child without a mother really is like grass!”
Allen had just finished cooking the last dish and was carrying it out. Hearing Samantha’s words, his face darkened: “What nonsense are you talking!”
Samantha’s voice rose: “What nonsense? Eating takeout every day, that’s not nutritious. You don’t care about your son, but I do!”
Allen retorted tensely: “This is an Allen family matter. Mind your own business!”
Samantha exploded: “Mind my own business? Look at my son! Lost that much in just five months! If you were treating him right, would he be like this? Truly, with a stepmother comes a stepfather! Allen, you’re no good either!”
Leon couldn’t stand anyone blaming his father. Enough! he yelled, “I lost weight because I had no living expenses and only ate one meal a day! Not because Dad’s cooking is bad or because of takeout!”
Allen was shocked: “Your mother didn’t give you your living expenses?!”
I had been sitting at the table with Allen’s brother and sister-in-law, quietly (metaphorically) eating and minding my own business. At this, I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Allen was really quite an absent-minded father.
Samantha said stiffly, “You didn’t pay me child support, why should I support him?!”
Allen slammed down his chopsticks in frustration: “Money, money, money! It’s always about money! All my wages from previous years were in your hands, and I didn’t ask for a cent back when we divorced! My only wish for my son was that you treat him well! Even if you didn’t want to pay anymore, you could have at least told me!”
Samantha sneered: “You ignored him for over ten years. I ask you to look after him for a few months, and you’re unhappy?”
Allen shouted, “How did I ignore him?! My money was all with you, how could I be good to him?! You’d scold me for buying him an ice cream! How else was I supposed to be good to him?!”
Samantha felt no wrongdoing. She said, “If you don’t want this son anymore, give me custody!”
Allen naturally refused: “Now you’re taking your anger out on him! If I gave him to you, would you treat him well?! If you have any grievances, take them out on me! Why torment a child?!”
Leon, who had initially tried to eat his meal like me, detached from the drama, couldn’t take it anymore as his parents argued over him, their every word about him.
“Enough! I don’t need either of you to support me!” He ran out.
Samantha cried, aggrieved: “Ungrateful child, who am I fighting for if not for him…”
The brother and sister-in-law, perhaps used to such scenes, neither joined the argument nor offered comfort afterwards. Allen’s mother soothed Samantha’s back: “Sigh, I’m a mother too, I understand. Allen, I told you before, don’t listen to your aunt, don’t listen to your aunt, but you had to. In the end, it’s the child who suffers!”
Allen wanted to say, if his mother hadn’t invited Samantha, they wouldn’t have fought, and the child wouldn’t have stormed off. But if Samantha hadn’t come, he wouldn’t have known Leon was going hungry. In the end, he could only helplessly wipe his face, lower his head, and say to me, “I’m worried about Leon.”
I nodded, put down my (metaphorical) chopsticks, and found a graceful reason to leave. Seeing us leave, Allen’s mother also started wiping her eyes: “Truly, out with the old, in with the new. I raised this son for nothing! A widow raising children alone, it’s not easy!” She had instigated the whole affair, and now she was playing the victim.
The brother and sister-in-law stopped being invisible and gestured for us to go, indicating they’d handle it. I nodded to them, put on my shoes, and left with Allen. The brother and sister-in-law seemed reasonable enough.
Leave a Reply