The Mother-in-Law, Football, and a Little Miracle
All through Saturday lunch, Oliver couldn’t sit still—fidgeting in his chair, glancing anxiously at the clock. Finally, he snapped.
“Darling, do you even realise what’s happening today?”
“What’s happening?” replied his wife, Emily, without looking up.
“What do you mean, ‘what’s happening’? It’s Saturday! Have you forgotten?”
“Oliver, why are you so worked up?” She smirked. “I haven’t forgotten anything. I just want a quiet day at home with you and the kids.”
“What about your mum?” he blurted. “She’s not ill, is she?”
“Mum? Why would you think that? She’s perfectly fine.”
“It’s just…” Oliver heaved a dramatic sigh. “Something feels off! Maybe she’s unwell, and you’re not even planning to visit her?”
“Have you lost your mind? We spoke for ages yesterday! She’s absolutely fine.”
“Right… Is that why she’s not here today? Now it all makes sense.”
“Oliver, stop it! You’re clearly up to something.”
“Fine, I’ll admit it,” he said. “There’s a massive match today! Our lads are up against their toughest rivals. I promised the boys I’d be there!”
“Ohhh…” Emily drawled, grinning. “So that’s it. You’re sneaking off to watch football again?”
“It’s not just football! This is practically a historic clash!”
“Yes, yes, I get it,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Since you’re being honest, I’ll tell you something too: I specifically asked Mum not to come today.”
“What? You did it on purpose?” Oliver shot up from his chair, eyes wide. “Why would you do that?”
“Why were you planning to sneak off without telling me?”
“Because I knew my wonderful mother-in-law would keep you busy with chatter, and I’d be free to go!”
“Well, she’s not coming. No freedom for you.”
“But I already promised the lads! This is betrayal!”
“If you made a promise, you can unmake it. Call them and say your wife won’t let you go.”
“That’s not even a word—’unmake’!”
“But it’s a concept,” Emily said calmly. “And one more thing: you’re not going without the kids.”
“What? What kids?”
“Your own, Oliver. Your very beloved, very dear children. Take them to the match with you.”
“But it’s rowdy there! The atmosphere! It’s no place for kids!”
“Why not?”
“Because our lot will probably lose again! The crowd will be furious!”
“Exactly!” Emily nodded smugly. “You just admitted it yourself: your team’s going to flop. So why bother watching them fail?”
“Because… because I believe in miracles, Emily! Maybe today’s the day everything changes! I’m holding out hope that someone will save my Saturday. That any second now, the doorbell will ring… and there she’ll be—my mother-in-law.”
And at that very moment, the doorbell chimed through the flat.
Oliver leapt up as if struck by lightning and bolted for the hallway. A second later, his joyous shout echoed from the entrance:
“Margaret! I knew you wouldn’t let me down! You’re an absolute lifesaver!”
“Don’t flatter me, son-in-law,” came Margaret’s cheerful voice. “We both know you love football far more than me!”
“Mum!” Emily called irritably from the kitchen. “What are you doing here? We had a deal!”
“How could I not come, love?” Margaret said, wrapping an arm around her daughter as she walked into the living room. “It’s such a big game today!”
“Mum, don’t be ridiculous! They’re going to lose—again!”
“But what if a miracle happens? Oliver and I believe in them till the final whistle!”
“Speaking of which, where are my grandkids?” she added.
“Where do you think?” Emily muttered. “Still asleep. They stayed up late with their father watching the last match.”
Margaret looked from her daughter to Oliver and declared sternly:
“It’s high time you signed them up for football lessons. Let them learn what a real game feels like.”
“You’re absolutely right, Margaret,” Oliver nodded. “I’ll sort it out. But first… I’ve got to dash. I’m already late.”
With that, he bolted from the kitchen, grinning as if his team had already won the league.
Sometimes, the greatest victories aren’t on the pitch but in the little compromises that keep a family laughing together.