THIRD VOICE IN OUR MARRIAGE   Almost A Complete Disaster… 

Yes, Mommy. I hear you. Don’t worry, I’ll talk to her. Talk to me about what? Mom just said we should postpone visiting your parents this weekend. Your mother said we should postpone visiting my parents? She only advised. She said we have many expenses this month. But we already agreed. I know, but she has a point.

Do I have a point, too? Mom said you should fry the pepper longer. It removes the sour taste. Your mother tasted this food from her house? No. Your mother is saying through you. only trying to help. Help who? Me, or control us? This is too early for drama. This house is nice, but the arrangement is not good.

 Kelvin and I chose it together. Kelvin has never known how to arrange a home. I did everything for him. Mommy. I was just telling Nora how to make this place better. That’s good, Nora. You should listen. Mom has good taste. Nora, when are you giving us a child? Mommy.

 What? I asked a simple question. Mama, we are trusting God. Trusting God is good, but Kelvin is my only son. In our time, women knew what marriage meant. Excuse me. You see? Too emotional. Why did you walk out like that? You heard what your mother said. She didn’t mean it badly. She asked about my womb at the dining table.

She’s concerned. And you were silent. you want me to do? Embarrass my mother? So, protecting me would embarrass her? I am your wife. And she is my mother. Sometimes it feels like you married me and kept your loyalty somewhere else. You look tired.

 I’m tired of competing with a woman I’m supposed to respect. decides what we eat, where we go, how I dress, how I speak, even we can control when nobody can say no. I don’t want to disrespect his mother. Setting boundaries is not disrespect. Yes, Mommy. I told Nora. Your mother again? She raised me. She knows me.

 Does she know your wife? A man who cannot leave his mother emotionally will struggle to cleave to his wife properly. It’s not like that. Maybe not to you. But ask Nora. Can’t we move it? She said she hasn’t been feeling well. Again, I’m disappearing, Kelvin, and you don’t notice. That is not fair.

 What is not fair is being a wife who needs appointment to be heard, while your mother has direct access to your heart every day. Call her. Tell her we are visiting my parents as planned. Nora. I see. I am going to stop begging for a place I should already have. What are you doing? Going to Ada’s place. Because of this small issue? Small? Please don’t go.

 Why? [singing] Because people will ask questions. That is what you are worried about? Not that your wife is hurt. People. Goodnight, Kelvin. She left the house? Just for one night. That is how it starts. A wife who leaves today will abandon you tomorrow. She was wife does not run to our opinions.

into my marriage. I carried you for nine months. Now, because of a woman you met yesterday, I am outside. Please come home. To what? To us. Which us? Me and you, or me, you, and your mother? I don’t want to lose you. Losing me started when I stopped feeling chosen. I’ll come tomorrow.

But we need to talk properly. Okay. And Kelvin, no third voice. Nora speak first. I feel alone in my marriage. His emotional loyalty is divided. But respect does not mean surrendering my place as his wife. A mother can advise, but a husband and wife must decide. Kelvin, do you hear Nora as your partner, or as someone challenging your mother? Maybe as someone challenging my mother.

 Then you are defending a courtroom no one asked you to open. What has your wife said now? Mom, please don’t call her like she’s a problem. I love you and I will always respect you, but my marriage cannot continue like this. With you deciding things that should be between Nora and me. I advise because I care.

 So, I should keep quiet and watch you make mistakes. I raised you alone after your father died. I know, Mom. I am grateful. But gratitude cannot mean I never grow up. Nora is not taking me from you. But you are not feeling a third person to fight marriage. I will always be your son. And Nora? She is my wife.

  I spoke to my mother. I set boundaries. But one conversation with her does not fix years of making you feel unseen. I am sorry. For making you feel like my mother’s opinion mattered more than me with you. That is the first time I I heard you late, but I heard you. I don’t want to fight your mother.

 You shouldn’t have to. I have withdrawn so much that part of me doesn’t know how to come back. Then I won’t drag you. I’ll show up until your heart believes me again. Words are easy. Then watch my actions. Nora. Yes, Mama. I may have spoken too much in things that were not mine to control.

 I thought I was protecting my son. Mama, but I never wanted to take Kelvin from you. I forgive you, Mama, but we will need time. Time is for you. It’s Mom. My son, are you people coming on Saturday? Mom, let me discuss with Nora first, and we’ll get back to you. Okay. We’ll hear from you. That sounded simple.

 It should have been simple all along. Do you think we’ll be okay? I think we’ll heal if we keep protecting what is ours. And if another voice comes? We listen with wisdom. Then we decide as one. That is all I wanted. I know. I’m sorry it took me so long.