What would you do if your mother-in-law, who is supposed to be “broke,” showed up in a Bentley, dressed in expensive clothing from head to toe, and stated that she was moving in with you? In spite of the fact that I was unable to determine whether I should laugh, cry, or scream, I can tell you that nothing could have adequately prepared me for the cyclone of turmoil that followed.
First, I received a phone call that I had not anticipated receiving.
Marcus responded, “Hey, Sophie,” in a tone that was tense and almost hesitant. It was the kind of tone that gave me the impression that something horrible was going to happen.
“What’s the matter?” While I was setting down my coffee mug, I inquired.
He was hesitant. “I have just finished speaking with my mother on the phone. She is having a difficult time, to put it mildly. She is currently without a place to go because she has lost her place. I told her that she could spend some time with us if she wanted to.
I was on the verge of choking. Hold on. Who is your mother? Are you broke?
The tone of Marcus’s speech became more gentle, as if he was attempting to ease me into it. I agree. Her first reluctance to speak was due to the fact that she had been struggling for a considerable amount of time. It is embarrassing for her, Soph. It’s only that she needs a good location to land.”
I did so by reclined in my chair. What about Vivian? Having trouble making ends meet? Every word I spoke was dripping with skepticism, and I repeated it. When we talk about Vivian, are we talking about the same person who purchased a silk scarf that cost $600 because she was “feeling a little down”? That Vivian is in a financial bind?
Marcus stated, “I am aware that it is difficult to believe.” However, people go through difficult times. He is still a human being.”
Do you know what happened? “Did she tell you?”
It is not. She had no desire to do anything about it. It sounded as though she was upset. I am aware that she is not your favorite person, but she is my mother. Just so you know. Because I couldn’t say no to her.
My temples were stroked by me. It’s not that I’m suggesting that we shouldn’t assist her, Marcus. Nevertheless, don’t you think it’s a little… unexpected? What are the steps that lead someone from promoting Louis Vuitton bags on Instagram to being homeless in the middle of the night?
According to him, “She is proud.” There is no way she will admit how horrible it is.
I did a sigh. Despite the fact that Vivian was his mother, we had never really been close to one another. What am I supposed to say? “That’s fine. Her usage of the guest room is permitted. But Marcus’s…”
“What is it?”
Make a solemn vow to me that you will open your eyes. There is something off about this. Additionally, it is only a transient situation.”
He smiled at me in a very weak way. “I am grateful to you. This is quite significant.
Something about the whole situation continued to bother me even after I hung up the phone. My intuition told me that this was not going to be the straightforward act of generosity that Marcus had anticipated it would be.
On the following day, Vivian arrived, and she did so in the most unbroken manner that was imaginable.
As I peered through the slats, I could hear the sound of an engine outside. It was not the Uber that I had anticipated; rather, it was a sleek black Bentley that roared into our driveway, the sunlight reflecting off of its perfect paint.
The first person to exit the vehicle was the driver, who, with a flourish, opened the rear door. After that, she showed up, and it was Vivian. She walked onto our driveway as if she had just slipped off the set of a movie. Her outfit consisted of a tailored camel trench coat that was belted at the waist, enormous sunglasses, and a quilted Chanel tote bag that hung from her wrist like a precious trophy.
I stood there motionless. Marcus claimed that she had given up everything. It was more like a photoshoot for Vogue than anything else.
When Marcus went outside, she greeted him with a warm smile and wrapped her arms around him. The sound of her cooing was loud enough for the neighbors to hear her. “Oh, my darling boy, you’ve saved me,” she said.
While all was going on, the driver unloaded three big Louis Vuitton suitcases onto the driveway.
Vivian walked right by me and into the house without even having the opportunity to say hello. She looked about the living room as if she were in the process of viewing a rental home and stated, “Ah, this will do.”
It was a forced smile on my face. Welcoming you.
After she entered, Marcus scratched the back of his neck as he followed her in. “Could it be that she… borrowed the car?”
I made a cross with my arms. “Because that’s what people who are broke do, right? Can I borrow a Bentley?
He grimaced in pain. It’s likely that there’s a suitable explanation.
I took a quick look at the suitcases. You mean those? Also borrowed money?
He let forth a feeble groan. “Don’t take it too seriously.”
“Do you overthink things? Your mother has just come in a nice sedan, carrying fashionable baggage, and acting as if she is checking into a spa. Marcus, she is here already. That’s not a problem; that’s what they call brunch in Monaco.
Vivian reappeared before he could possibly respond to her. Sweetheart, where is the location of the guest room?
Marcus indicated the end of the corridor. On the left, the very last door. I will assist you with your bags.
“Oh, don’t make yourself uncomfortable. That is the reason why Tony exists. She made a motion toward the driver, who promptly became docile and started bringing the bags inside.
My tongue was clenched. My warning had been made very plain; Marcus was capable of handling the consequences.
On that particular evening, I called Marcus at his place of employment after Vivian had gone to the guest room.
Is it possible that you are not genuinely questioning this? I inquired about it. You believe she is homeless when she pulls up in a Bentley and is dressed to the nines in luxury clothing, don’t you?
“It’s likely that she purchased that item before things became more difficult. She is not going to sell her possessions because she is proud of them.
An odd clinking could be heard coming from the kitchen just as I was about to get into an argument. After putting the phone down, I went to look into the matter.
Vivian was standing so close to the garbage can that she was shattering each of our dishes one by one and then placing the shattered pieces inside.
Do you know what you’re doing? I made a demand.
She looked at me as if I were the one who was being unreasonable. This set of plates is terrible; they are scratched and inexpensive. The food that Dan consumes ought to be of a higher quality. Do not be concerned; we will get fresh ones.
She exited the room before I had a chance to answer.
I cornered Marcus as soon as he arrived at his house. You are aware of what your mother did just now, right? When she realized that none of the plates we owned were “worthy of you,” she destroyed them all.
It was a grimace. Who knows, maybe she’s only trying to be helpful?
“Can you help? As a result of ruining our dishes?
He avoided looking directly into my eyes and continued, “It’s likely that she wants to replace them with nicer ones.” “She seeks nothing but the very best for me.”
I was attracted to him. It seems to me that Marcus is treating this house as if it were her own personal renovation project. That’s okay with you, is that correct?
He made a shrugs. She’s been through a lot in her life. Permit her to feel at home.
Vivian transformed the guest room and bathroom into a luxurious boutique over the course of the following week as part of her “settling in” process. It started to smell like rosewater, lavender oils, and costly candles when we moved into our new home.
Prada, Gucci, and Chanel were among the brands that were delivered on a daily basis.
I inquired, and she made a gesture with her manicured hand. Just a few orders that I ordered a little time ago.
Exactly. “Orders” totaling thousands of dollars, all while claiming to be in a state of financial ruin.
It was at that point that I made the decision to investigate the situation further.
Vivian’s announcement that she would be meeting a buddy for coffee came about one morning. She departed in the Bentley at ten o’clock in the morning, and I arrived two minutes after she did.
After leaving her car, she went straight to a posh country club. A tall man dressed in a tailored suit greeted her with a kiss on the cheek, and I parked my car far enough away to be able to watch it happen. It seemed as if they were old lovers laughing together.
I was the one who took pictures.
While Marcus and I were waiting for her to return home that afternoon, she arrived.
In light of the fact that you are living here for free, would you mind explaining why you are meeting wealthy men at country clubs? While holding out my phone, I inquired.
Her eyes grew more wide. “You followed me along?”
Give a response to the inquiry.
Vivian let out a sigh and sank more into the couch. “That’s fine. The passing of your father left me feeling isolated. I came across a younger man. I invested a lot of money in him. His departure was for another person. When I was attempting to get better, I was inconsolable.
Marcus wore a frown. “What about the man today?”
There’s Henry there. He has a lot of money, he has feelings for me, and he is assisting me in getting back on my feet. I just wanted him to believe that I was completely bankrupt… you know.
I made a folding motion with my arms. It seems that you are not in a financial bind; you simply did not want to utilize your own money.
My eyes were avoided by her. “You are completely oblivious. What I came here to do was to assist you, Marcus. You are deserving of someone who belongs to the same social status as you. Together, we had the opportunity to reestablish our standing.
I was taken aback by the implication that was made. Your intention was to force me out of the room.
It was sufficient for her to remain silent.
Marcus was standing. Mom, you have to get out of here. The following day. “If Henry is so helpful, you should move in with him.”
“Don’t be so ridiculous,” she retorted in a stern tone.
That’s not a joke. The fact that you lied to us is a violation of the rules.
Taking her stuff with her, she left the following day with her head held high.
After a week had passed, she called Marcus while crying. Henry’s wife had discovered the affair, and as a result, Henry decided to end their marriage.
I was unable to contain my laughter. As I scrolled through her Instagram, I found myself saying, “Karma moves quickly.”
All of a sudden, Vivian’s posts were all about “embracing simplicity” and “finding joy in the little things,” but Marcus had heard that she was selling her luxury bags in order to pay the rent on a humble condo.
A smirk appeared on his face as he shook his head. “This is something that she did to herself.”
I made a pretend salute with my coffee mug by raising it. Let us raise a glass to Vivian and wish that she may one day realize the distinction between Chanel and humility.
