Mark’s wife taunts me with a secret

By Mother-in-law

Last Sunday, I skipped church to evaluate my performance as a mother-in-law. This appraisal was prompted by Mark’s wife’s accusations that I am evil and self-centred. After replenishing my cup of tea, I was just about to continue my assessment when she called again. "The nerve of this woman," I thought as I answered the phone.

"Yes!" I barked. I wasn’t about to be polite to this troublemaker.

"I know something your children have been keeping a secret from you and your husband for ages," she said.

"There are no secrets in my family. We are open and honest," I bluffed.

I hoped she had not found out about how I dealt with Bintihawa’s teenage pregnancy. But that was 15 years ago and the only people who know what happened are Bintihawa, myself and the doctor, who has since died. And I am positive he took the secret to his grave.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"You are so naÔve."

I was beginning to get agitated. What was she on about?

"If you have something to say, then say it. Stop wasting my time," I snapped. She was obviously enjoying taunting me.

"For someone so nosy, I can’t believe you have never noticed," she said.

"Noticed what?" I asked. She laughed — a really evil cackle like a witch’s.

"Do you really know your children?"

Tormented by son’s wife

I hang up and switched off my phone. I was so worked up, I could not continue my self-appraisal. I went to the kitchen to make breakfast for John. Sunday is the only day I do this, so I try to make it a special meal.

My nerves were on edge and I made a fine mess in the kitchen. I abandoned the task and went to our bedroom to wake John.

He was already awake. As usual, when I asked John, he said he was doing nothing.

Sometimes he baffles me. How can you lie in bed doing nothing? And when he says he is doing nothing, he really means it.

I told him we were not going to church because we were going out for a drive. I could see him trying to suppress a smile — he doesn’t like going to church. He leapt out of bed — well as close to a leap as a 70-year-old can.

I decided we go to Naivasha and come back in the evening. I really felt I needed a vacation, even if it was only for one day.

As we were leaving the house, John’s phone rang. It was Mark’s wife again and she wanted to talk to me. I grabbed the phone and switched it off. John looked puzzled. "Just drive," I ordered.