5
446words
The next morning.
My mother-in-law acted as if nothing had happened,and so did I.I suppressed the emotions in my heart and acted as usual.
My mother-in-law's eyes were red,and there was still a faint mark of the slap on her face from last night.She avoided meeting my gaze.
I knew that she needed care and comfort the most at this time.
I tentatively walked over."Mom,didn't you sleep well?"
"It's okay,"she didn't want to say more.It should be that the threatening words my father-in-law said last night had taken effect.After all,although his words were harsh,he wasn't wrong.My mother-in-law had no income.Without relying on him,she had no ability to survive at all.
I took the work from her hands."Mom,I'm fine.There are some things I can do myself,though not as well as you.You're really good at handling household affairs.The aunt in the building next door goes out to work as a housekeeper for others and earns six or seven thousand dollars a month.That's almost as much as Dad's pension."
Hearing me say this,my mother-in-law suddenly became interested."Are you serious?I can earn so much money just by doing housework?"
"Of course.So you see how much you've contributed to our family.What's more,I don't think the aunt in the building next door is as quick at doing things as you,"I said casually,glancing at my mother-in-law.I saw that the movement of her hands picking vegetables slowed down,as if she was thinking about something.
"Um...Amanda,where do they find such jobs as you mentioned?"
My mother-in-law seemed to be interested in what I said.
"Just at the nearby agency.But Mom,you don't really want to go out to work,do you?You can just stay at home.Dad's pension is quite a lot each month,isn't it enough for you to spend?Although if you go out to work,you can earn your own money and spend it as you like,but after all,working outside is not as free as at home.You're getting old,and what if the employer says something harsh and you can't stand it?"
"What can't I stand?Can they say something worse than your dad?"She thought of what happened last night and seemed to be furious again.
"What's wrong with Dad?"I deliberately asked,so that my mother-in-law would think I didn't hear the conversation last night.
My mother-in-law looked at me,but her eyes dodged a little.I guessed that she felt somewhat guilty towards me.
"Amanda,I was just asking casually.Don't think too much.I have to take good care of you.These words are just something between us—don't tell your dad."
"Mom,I know.We're just chatting,"I said.
In the afternoon,I watched from upstairs as my mother-in-law slipped out quietly,and she was heading in the direction of the agency I had told her about in the morning.
