Miguel and I had been together for seven years. From the day we got married, I agreed to live with my mother-in-law, Doña Carmen. She had a stroke and couldn’t move on one side. She needed aid with every meal and snooze. I thought it would be easy at first since she was my mother-in-law and I was her daughter-in-law, so it was my job to take care of her.
But I never thought this weight would linger so long. The saddest thing was that my husband, Miguel, was the one who should have told me.
Miguel worked all day and was on his phone all night. He would often say, “You take better care of Mom than I do.” It will harm her more if I try. I never held that against him.
I thought it was just how things worked: the wife did the housework and the husband brought home the money. But then I learned that Miguel wasn’t only at work; he was with someone else.
I got a message one day that stated, “I’m coming over again tonight.” It’s a million times better to be with you than at home. I didn’t scream, weep, or make a fuss.
I just said quietly, “What about your mom?” You haven’t paid any attention to her in years. Miguel didn’t utter a word. The next day, he left. I knew exactly where he was.
I looked at Doña Carmen, the woman who had told me that I wasn’t “worthy of being her daughter-in-law” and who had criticized everything I did, from the food I ate to the naps I took. I wanted to quit everything. But then I remembered that a person should always have some pride.
A week later, I called Miguel. “Are you available?” I’ll bring your mom over so you can take care of her.
I put her prescriptions, hospital papers, and an old medical notebook in a fabric bag. That night, I put her in a wheelchair and said softly, “Mom, I’m going to take you to Miguel’s house for a few days.” Staying in the same place all the time is boring. Her eyes shone like a child’s as she nodded.
I rang the doorbell of the tiny apartment. Miguel opened the door, and the other woman appeared behind him wearing a silk nightgown and bright red lipstick. I pulled Doña Carmen into the living room, prepared the bed, and put the medicine bag on the table.
The place smelt like perfume, yet it was dark and frigid. Miguel stammered, “What are you doing?”
I grinned a little. “Do you remember? Your mom is your mom. I’m only your daughter-in-law. For seven years, I took care of her. That’s long enough. The woman behind him grew pale and still had a tablespoon of yogurt that she hadn’t eaten.
I moved to the side slowly, as if I had been preparing to do so for a long time. “Here are her medical records, prescriptions, diapers, pads, and cream for her sores.” I’ve put down all the doses in the notepad.
I put the notebook on the table and got ready to leave. Miguel’s voice got louder. “Are you going to leave my mom?” “This is mean!”
I stopped and said in a calm, quiet voice, “You didn’t pay attention to her for seven years.” What else could that be except mean? I took care of her as she was my own family, not because of you, but because she is a mother. I’m leaving now, not because I want to get back at you, but because I’ve done my part as a person.
I smiled at the other woman and looked her in the eyes. “Love him fully if you love him. Everything comes with your affection.
Then I put the house deed on the table. “The house is exclusively in my name. I’m not taking anything. He just took her clothes. But if you ever need money to take care of Mom, I’ll still help.
I reached over and stroked my mother-in-law’s hair one last time. “Mom, do the right thing here.” I’ll come back to see you if you’re sad.
Doña Carmen smiled, but her voice was shaky. “Yes, come see me when you get home.”
I exited and closed the door behind me. The room was silent and smelled like a blend of scents and faint massage oil. I slept soundly that night and didn’t experience any dreams. The next morning, I got up early, took my son to breakfast, and started over without crying or getting angry.
