If I had known better, I would not have trusted a gift that Varna had given me. When I look back, it is easy to see the signs: her smile, which was unduly nice when she gave me the package, and the gleam in her eyes, which was not quite kind.
But what options do I have? Do you agree that these were merely shoes? Beautiful red leather shoes with a firm heel, which are just what I’m looking for. My mother-in-law seemed to be making an effort for the first time.
Putting on a fake smile, I said, “They are absolutely stunning,” as Toren smiled alongside me. “You are very kind, Varna.”
It was dismissed by her. “Well, I’ve observed that you constantly wear shoes that are so… simple. I believed that you deserved something beautiful after such a long time…”
Her sweet tone, as it often is, concealed the stab that was intended to be taken. That being said, I smiled and nodded, as I usually do. That is what you do in order to maintain the status quo, right? What happens when your spouse has feelings for his mother and you are attempting to be a better person?
It wasn’t the first time she had made a jab at me. During the Christmas meal, she inquired of Toren if he recalled how his former girlfriend, Lirien, had prepared “the best roast she ever made.” Or the time she showed up to our anniversary party filled with old picture albums of Toren’s youth and remained for a considerable amount of time. Every visit seemed like a test, with me fulfilling the role of the ambassador to a queen who was unfriendly and unwelcoming.
Following heated situations, Toren would comment, “She’s just stuck in her ways,” referring to himself. Let her have some time. Even after we had been married for more than a year, her attitude continued to deteriorate.
Because I was going to be in Chicago for business, I kept the shoes in their box for a week without touching them. As I was packing, Toren was sitting on our bed, looking through his phone.
What he said was, “Wear Mom’s shoes.” “Show her that you care about them.”
I ran my fingers across the supple leather. Perhaps I will do it.
He continued by glancing up and said, “You know, she’s trying.” It is possible that this is her method of settling things.
But if only I had relied on my instincts rather than his optimism.
It was at the airport that the drama began. It seemed like there was something wrong with my left shoe, similar to a bulge, but when I investigated, it was empty; all that was there was clean leather and the scent of new shoes.
“Is everything all right?” An irritated individual was standing behind me in the security line, and he checked his watch.
“Fine,” I murmured as I put the sneaker back on by sliding it on. “It’s just a new dress.”
However, it was not satisfactory. With each stride, the pressure that was being exerted on my foot increased, as if something was pressing up on it. The moment I arrived at the conveyor belt, I was already in a limping state. Taking off the shoes for the Transportation Security Administration was a relief.
The expression on the officer’s face said everything before he even spoke. There was something that caused him to sit up, his eyes narrowing as he looked at his computer. He had been scanning with a boring routine.
“The lady, could you please move over?”
My stomach dropped to the floor. “What’s the matter?”
He indicated the X-ray, which showed that a shadowy figure was concealed in my left shoe. “We need to see whether this is true. Please take off the insole.
At the same time that he grabbed his bag, the man who was working the line gave me a dubious look. During the passage, a mother brought her child closer to her. As I sat there, my face was burning, and my hands were trembling as I pulled at the insole.
“Do you require assistance?” After putting on gloves, a female cop suddenly appeared.
I stutteringly said, “I don’t get it.” It was my mother-in-law who gave them to me as a present. The very first time I’ve worn them.”
With a tearing sound, the insole broke away from its position. A little plastic box with substance that was greenish-brown in color was concealed inside a pocket that had been cut into the sole of the shoe.
The officer’s expression tightened up. “Would you be able to explain…”
They do not belong to me. As far as I can tell, the shoes are, but they were a present. It was a mystery to me—” My voice was shattered. The next day, I will be giving a talk in Chicago.
“We’ll put it to the test,” he stated. Say, “Wait here.”
Twenty minutes seemed like an eternity to me. Although I was sitting in a hard chair, I was imaging headlines that read, “Marketing Manager Caught Smuggling.” I was watching passengers pass by. Even though I considered phoning Toren, I couldn’t bring myself to convey this to him. For Varna, what would he have to say?
The eyes of the senior officer were kind, yet his voice was commanding. “There is no evidence of drug use,” he said. “However, you are not permitted to bring this on the aircraft, just in case. This might have been a very severe situation.”
My eyes welled up with emotions as I said, “Yes, sir.” “I am truly ashamed.”
In the process of delivering me the item, he cautioned me, “Be careful what you carry.”
I had the intention of throwing it away, but I threw it into a locker at the airport before racing to get to my flight.
When I was in Chicago, my thoughts were always racing. Why would Varna act in such a manner? What was the purpose of her endeavor? It felt like every notion was more insane than the one before it, yet they all led to the same conclusion: my mother-in-law had set me up.
When I got back to my house, I brought the package to a laboratory. I was quite aback by the answers. Mugwort is. It is yarrow. The wort of St. John? A short investigation revealed that these plants were used in traditional folk charms, with the purpose of driving people away, severing relationships, or “protecting” someone from those who were not desired.
In an attempt to remove me from her son’s life, Varna had cast a curse.
The next evening, after supper, I confronted Toren. I was speaking to him as he was loading the dishes and humming.
There is a need for us to discuss your mother.
With soap suds on his hands, he turned around. It’s “What’s up?”
I explained everything to him, even the names of the plants and the airport. Every syllable he said caused his face to darken, and his jaw to clench.
I said, “She has never wanted me to be here.” “The evidence is clear. Toren, I might have been jailed for the simple reason that she is unable to bear the fact that you chose me.
It seemed as if he needed some time to reflect as he carefully dried his hands. “I knew she had a hard time dealing with you, but this…” The man gave a head shake. I cannot go any farther. It is not something that can be forgiven.
“What are our options?”
When he looked at me, he had distress in his eyes but also determination. “I’m going to call her today. If she does not apologize and confess what she did, then she will not be allowed to remain here.
“There’s no need for you to—” said Tor.
Yes, I am. Taking my hand, he maintained a firm grasp. “Zeryn, she has gone off the deep end. She attempted to do you harm and to make you seem to be a criminal. I have a lot of affection for my mother, but I won’t allow her to destroy us. “You are also a member of my family, and she must understand that.”
As I brought myself closer to him, I could feel his heartbeat on my face. A reminder that even the most beautiful presents may conceal the most heinous of intentions, the shoes were stored away in the closet.
I knew that we would confront this challenge together, and that we would emerge stronger as a result of it. It’s be that this is what drives Varna crazy: every attempt to disentangle us simply serves to bring us closer together.
One day, perhaps she will realize that there is place in Toren’s heart for both of us alike. We will maintain our distance until then, and I will give her presents some serious consideration.
