I never imagined my rich daughter-in-law’s elegant dinner invitation becoming a nightmare. After she left me with a $5,375 bill, I knew I had to teach her a lesson she’d never forget, but I didn’t know how.
Ruth here, retiring after 40 years of teaching. Veronica, my son Michael’s wife, invited me to celebrate. This hotshot lawyer wears fancy outfits and power lunches.
“Don’t worry about the cost,” she added over the phone. “It’s my treat.”
I should have known better, but the gesture touched me so much that I ignored my intuition. I had no idea this dinner would change everything.
“That’s kind, Veronica,” I said. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” she said. “You deserve it after shaping young minds for so long.”
The restaurant’s menu lacked prices. As we arrived, the maître d’ glanced at my practical shoes and department store clothes.
We were at a window table viewing the downtown skyline. I didn’t fit in with the white tables and crystal glassware.
“So, Ruth,” Veronica asked among the wines, “how does it feel to be retired?”
I played with my napkin. “Honestly? A bit odd. What to do with myself?”
Nodding absently, she faced the sommelier. “We’ll have the 2015 Château Margaux.”
Family, my old employment, her work were discussed. For once, I believed we were bonding.
“You must be glad to be done with all those unruly kids,” Veronica commented, sipping champagne.
“Oh, I’ll miss them,” I said. Teaching was my life. Each pupil was a distinct puzzle.”
Although she nodded, her eyes were glazing over. When the waiter arrived, she ordered without looking at the menu.
“The usual,” she waved. “And for my mother-in-law—” she waits, staring at me.
I said, “Oh, um, I’ll have the chicken, please,” flustered.
A waiter bowed and left. Veronica scarcely breathed as she recounted her latest court case.
Although I tried, my thoughts wandered. The younger teacher in my classroom sprang to mind. Does she care like I did?
“Ruth? You listening?” Veronica’s strong voice jolted me.
Sorry, sweetie. Briefly immersed in thinking.”
She sighed. “The judge entirely sided with us. Landslide win.”
I smiled and nodded, unsure of her topic. My stomach grew queasy as the night went on. Something was odd, but I couldn’t pinpoint it.
Veronica excused herself after eating. “I’ll pop to the ladies’ room,” she added. “Be right back.”
Fifteen minutes. Then thirty. Waiter gave me the side-eye, his polite grin tense.
Finally, he approached. “Madam, are you ready to settle the bill?”
I nearly fainted when I saw $5,375.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled. “My daughter-in-law invited me. She promised payment.”
Waiter’s face stiffened. “Perhaps you’d like to call her?”
I did. Direct voicemail.
Then it hit me. She planned this beforehand. Realization was gut-wrenching. Determination replaced shock after a while.
I inhaled and smiled at the waiter. “It seems I’ve been abandoned,” I remarked gently. “But don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”
I gave over my credit card, hoping it wouldn’t be refused. It wasn’t, but I knew I’d eat ramen for months.
My head was full of plans as I left the restaurant. Though aged, I’m not powerless.
I called Carla, my old buddy, the next morning. She has a cleaning service and is wickedly funny.
Saying, “Carla, I need a favor,” “How’d you like to clean the biggest house in town?”
“Ruth, what are you up to?” she laughed. “This doesn’t sound like your usual request.”
I told her my plan, and she was glad to help.
“Oh, honey,” she said, “I have the right crew for this job. That place will be glittering and possibly hid surprises.”
I smiled as I hung up the phone. Phase one ended, but I wasn’t done.
My book club lawyer buddy Charmaine was next. I helped her daughter pass her English tests, therefore she’s always liked me.
“Charmaine, how much would it cost to sue someone for emotional distress?”
She laughed. “Ruth, are you kidding? It’s unlike you.”
“Dead serious,” I said. It’s not my intention to sue. I need to scare someone.”
“Ah,” she answered immediately in response. I suppose we can make something terrible in such circumstance. Pro gratis, yes.”
I invited Veronica to tea a week later. She entered with ease, her shoes tapping on my linoleum.
“Ruth, how lovely to see you,” she said. “I hope you enjoyed our dinner out.”
I smiled softly. Yes, I did. Indeed, I have a token of gratitude.”
I gave her envelope. She ripped it open with her manicured nails.
Her face shifted from smug to surprised to pale while reading.
“You — you’re suing me?” She stuttered, losing her cool.
“Unless you agree to my terms,” I stated quietly, sounding like a strict teacher.
She scowled at me, lips thinly lined. “What terms?”
Your public apology will come first. Second, you’ll pay my bill and legal fees. Third, you’ll respect me.”
Veronica appeared to have eaten a lemon. Don’t be serious. Know what this could do to my reputation?”
“Try me,” I responded toughly. “I may be retired, but I still know how to deal with troublemakers.”
She stared at me for a while before giving up. “Fine. Will do. This stays between us, okay?”
I extended my hand. “Shake on it?”
She did, her hand clammy and limp. I worried whether I had overstepped when we shook hands. Would this plan fail spectacularly?
The next day, Veronica’s apologies flooded social media. My bank account gained $5,500. But the best was yet to come.
Carla’s workers swarmed Veronica’s mansion like cleaning bees. They cleaned everything, organized drawers, and left no corner.
They left a beautifully wrapped present in the master bedroom.
The list included every nasty remark, eye roll, and backhanded praise Veronica had ever given me. An aside: “A new beginning. Treat each other well from now on.”
I was drinking tea when my phone rang. It was Veronica. As I replied, my heart leapt into my throat.
Thick-voiced “Ruth,” she said. “I — I don’t know what to say.”
“How about ‘I’m sorry’?” Keep my tone light, I said.
The silence was long. I heard a laugh, surprising me.
“You really got me, didn’t you?” she said. “I never thought you had it in you.”
“Just a reminder about respect,” I said. “And never underestimate a retired teacher.”
“I deserved it,” she said. “Can we — can we start over?”
I grinned, feeling lighter. “I’d like that, Veronica.”
After that, things changed. Veronica called more, asked for guidance, and paid for casual dinners with me.
She asked me to plan Michael’s surprise birthday party last week.
“I need your expertise,” she said. “You know him best, after all.”
We were discussing party plans at her kitchen table, and I couldn’t believe how far we’d come.
Veronica abruptly exclaimed, “I never thanked you properly.”
Looked up, astonished. “For what?”
“For teaching me a lesson I’ll never forget,” she said, squeezing my hand. “You’re tougher than you look, Ruth.”
A laugh. “Well, I did wrangle middle schoolers for four decades.”
She grins. “Remember not to cross you again. I’m still amazed you did that.”
“Let’s just say I had some practice dealing with troublemakers,” I said.
My chest warmed as we resumed plotting. Sometimes a little rough love fixes problems.
And who knows? I may tell Michael about our little adventure sometime. Our secret reminds us that respect is earned, not given.
You can teach that lesson the hard way. Though I’ve left the classroom, I’m still teaching.
What would you’ve done? If you liked this tale, here’s another about a woman whose brother booted out their grandma because she had no money.
Inspired by true events and people, this work is fictionalized for creativity. To preserve privacy and enrich the story, names, characters, and facts were changed. Any resemblance to real people, events, or places is unintentional.
The author and publisher neither guarantee event authenticity nor character characterization and are not liable for misinterpretation. While this work is presented “as is,” the characters’ viewpoints do not reflect those of the author or publisher.
