My mother-in-law, Ingrid, always found a reason to compare me to Megan, who used to be married to my husband, but it all changed when I found out something shocking at her birthday party. My friend Ingrid and I both couldn’t believe what we heard.
I wrapped my arms around my husband of two years, Mike, and sat on the couch. I felt safe and loved when his arm was around me. Every night, we sat here and talked about our days and our hopes for the future.
When Mike told a funny story from work, the whole room laughed. Watching his eyes light up with happiness made me smile. These times made me think of how lucky I was to have met him.
I laughed and said, “I still can’t believe you did that.” “What a fool you are.”
He laughed and pulled me closer. I only want you, Gisselle. Just for you.
Because we loved each other so much, our simple sitting room felt like a palace. Picture frames from our trips lined the walls, and books we planned to read together were on the shelves. Our little safe haven, a spot where our happiness could not be touched.
We were sitting there when the smell of food came from the kitchen. The spaghetti carbonara was Mike’s favorite, and I made it. One of my favorite things to do was cook for him. The work was well worth it when I saw his happy, grateful face.
Mike took a quick look at the time. “Dinner will be ready soon.” Do you want me to set the table?”
I turned my head away. “No, take it easy.” “I’ll take care of it.”
He smiled and kissed me on the forehead quickly. “Do you know how great you are?”
I turned pink. “I try.”
It was enough for us to have each other. Mike’s split many years ago caused him a lot of pain, but we had made something beautiful together.
After a few days, though, that peace was broken when Mike’s mother, Ingrid, came to visit. I stood in the kitchen and stirred the soup.
Ingrid sat at the table and watched everything I did. Her eyes looked right into mine, making me feel like she was always watching me.
She began, “You know, Megan used to make this dish so perfectly.” At the end, she always put a little basil in. It was very important.
It was hard for me to smile, so I clenched my teeth. I like that, Ingrid. That’s something I’ll remember.
Ingrid let out a huge sigh. “I don’t understand why you never think to make your recipes better like Megan did.” Everything was always better because of her!”
I could feel how painful her words were. It was never enough for Ingrid, no matter how hard I worked. She didn’t seem to remember that Megan was no longer married to Mike. Instead, she treated her like a goddess of cooking that I could never be as good as.
To keep from snapping, I kept cooking and focused on the job at hand. Mike walked into the kitchen and could feel the stress. Before turning to his mother, he smiled at me and said something nice.
“Mom, Gisselle makes delicious food.” He said, “I love everything she makes.”
Ingrid huffed and waved her hand to say no. “Mike, of course you’d say that. However, Megan did have a special touch.
I gave Mike a thank-you look.
Even though he always stood up for me, what Ingrid said hurt even more.
“I’m doing my best, Ingrid,” I said quietly, wanting to end the talk.
She turned her head away. “Your best should be better,” he said.
I have to say that Ingrid’s constant references to Megan were getting to me. Even though I loved Mike very much, dealing with his mother was harder than I thought it would be.
I knew Mike would back me up. That had to be enough. But that strength was put to the test at Ingrid’s house for a family dinner.
Everyone sat down at the table and enjoyed their food. Once more, the subject of food came up, and Ingrid took the chance.
As an aside, she said, “Try adding cilantro to the pasta!” in a loud, excited voice. “That was really cool what Megan did.” Mike really liked it!”
My cheeks hurt. I could barely taste the food as the meal went on. I took a deep breath, and then I asked Ingrid if I could talk to her by myself after dinner.
We moved out of the way and into the living room.
Being calm, I said, “Ingrid, I need to talk to you about something important.”
She looked at me with a raised eyebrow and crossed her arms. “Giselle, what is it?”
“I know you were close to Megan, and I believe that,” I told her. “But it hurts me that you keep saying that I’m like her.” It’s making my marriage to Mike worse. I love him and do my best for him. That is something I need you to understand.
Ingrid’s face became more serious. She yelled, “Don’t tell me what to do, Gisselle!” “I’m not going to let you tell me what to do.”
Even though what she said hurt, I stood my ground. “Hey, Ingrid, I’m not trying to be rude. I want you to know how your words make me feel. I want to get along with you, but it’s tough when I feel like you’re always comparing me to Megan.
Ingrid’s eyes got smaller. “I thought of Megan as a daughter.” “You’ll never get that.”
I could feel tears coming, but I blinked them away. “Don’t forget about Megan,” I said. Please be kind and understand!”
That’s when she turned away, clearly mad. She quickly said, “I’ll think about it,” and then she left.
That day hurt me a lot. It was all I asked for for her to love and respect me. Did I ask too much?
A few days later, Ingrid had a big birthday party for all of her family and friends. It was noisy inside, but it was the kind of noise that always makes me feel welcome. But tonight was different.
When Mike and I got there, I had a bad feeling in my stomach. Ingrid was having a great time at the party because she was with lots of people who loved her. I thought about getting through the night and getting over my fears.
As soon as we walked in, I saw someone I didn’t expect to see. Megan stood there and talked with a group of people.
It broke my heart. When I looked at Mike, he looked just as shocked.
Ingrid saw how we were reacting and walked over with a smug grin on her face. “Oh, did I forget to say that?” I asked Megan. I thought it would be nice for her to see everyone again!”
I tried to smile. “That’s very kind of you, Ingrid.”
I didn’t want this to ruin my evening, so I talked to other people and tried to have fun. I focused on talking to people and kept telling myself that I was there for Mike and Ingrid’s big day.
When it was time for dinner, we all sat down at the long, nicely set table. I was upset when Ingrid asked Megan to sit with us. I forced a nice smile on my face and pushed down my anger.
Megan sat down right next to me, and she looked a little awkward.
Megan leaned over and told Gisselle, “I’ve heard a lot about you.” “It’s great to finally meet.”
I kept my tone bland as I nodded. “It’s nice to meet you too, Megan.”
Then, as the night came to a close, Ingrid’s husband Walter stood up to toast. Everyone in the room stopped talking and looked at him. As he raised his glass, I got ready for another round of small talk.
Walt’s voice changed into a serious one instead.
He looked around the room uncomfortably as he said, “I have something important to share.” “I’ve had a lover for five years now.” I don’t want to tell you this now, but I have to, Ingrid. Keep you in the dark no longer. Dorothy, my ex-wife, is that lover.
The room fell into a stunned silence.
My jaw dropped, and my eyes went to Ingrid. Her face turned pale, and her eyes got really big with shock.
Walter turned to face the guests and said, “I can’t keep living a lie.” “I’m leaving you because I want to be with Dorothy.”
The room turned into a mess. The tears came out of Ingrid’s eyes. People in the room talked and gasped, and some rushed to comfort Ingrid.
At that very moment, I remembered how badly Ingrid had treated me. It was impossible for me not to think about how karma always caught up with people. I felt sorry for her, but I also had a strange sense of what was right.
Mike and I looked at each other. We both knew it was time to leave, so we didn’t need to say anything. We left the party early and walked out the door holding hands tight.
He said in a soft voice, “I’m sorry you had to go through all that.”
I turned my head away. “You’re not to blame.” “I’m just glad we have each other.”
Mike hugged me tightly when we got home. Dear Gisselle, I love you. “Never doubt that.”
I hugged him back because I appreciated his love and help. “Mike, I love you too.” I’m sure we’ll always be together.
Even with everything going on, I was sure we could handle anything. I knew we would be okay as long as we had each other.
