An elderly woman’s only son married and moved into her home with his new bride, but when he was sent away by his company for several months, his daughter-in-law forced her to move into the garage.
When Beatrice Fairman’s son Matthew married, he asked his mother if he and his new bride could move in with her into the huge 5-bedroom house in which he’d grown up. Beatrice, who was admittedly lonely and rather liked her new daughter-in-law, Rita, happily agreed.
She never imagined that one day their idyll would turn into a nightmare, with her beloved son vanishing without a trace, and Rita showing her true colors as a vicious shrew and expelling Beatrice from her own home.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
Matthew and Rita moved in right after their honeymoon, and at first, the three lived very happily together. Since both Matthew and Rita worked, Beatrice, who was retired, took charge of the cooking.
Matthew and Rita were more than happy with the situation which allowed them to save up for their own home and live in great comfort. As for Beatrice, she was delighted to have her son with her, and she became great friends with Rita.
Things changed when Matthew was promoted, and his company required that he travel all over the world for weeks at a time. For Rita, Beatrice’s presence meant that she didn’t feel so lonely and isolated.
The two women waited patiently for Matt’s return and Skyped him every day. Then Matt’s company told him that he needed to go to their London subsidiary for the next six months, and the two women were understandably upset.
“Listen, Rita, Mom,” Matt said gently. “I know it’s going to be hard to be apart for so long, but after this, I’ve been promised I will be promoted to head office and there will be no more traveling! You girls keep each other company…”
Rita sobbed and complained, “Matt, we’ve been apart more than we’ve been together since we married!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
Beatrice had to agree with her daughter-in-law. “Matt dear, you know I adore you, but Rita is right,” she said. “It’s you that Rita needs, not me.”
“Mom, come on,” Matt cried angrily. “I need to do this so we can afford our own house! We all need to make sacrifices, and I’m not exactly looking forward to this either!”
Two weeks later, Matt flew off, leaving the two women in his life behind. Rita and Beatrice were sad and they both missed Matt terribly. At first, Matt Skyped with them every night and he looked cheerful and happy, but as time went on, things changed.
Matt’s calls were briefer and he looked tired. Then he stopped calling every day. His calls came three times a week, then twice, then once…And then there came a week when Matt didn’t call.
Bullies exert power over those they consider weak and defenseless.
After the second week without a call, Rita and Beatrice became worried. They tried to call Matt’s phone and his hotel, but he didn’t answer their calls. Finally, Rita called Matt’s boss and asked where he was.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
“Matt?” asked the boss, surprised. “But he left London two weeks ago! He worked like a madman and finished the project in three months. He said he was desperate to go home…”
When Rita hung up the phone, she was pale and her lips were trembling. “Beatrice,” she whispered. “They said he’s come home! They don’t know where he is!”
Rita and Beatrice contacted the airlines who told them Matt had never boarded his flight. Calls to the British police obtained no results. Matt had vanished without a trace.
