The Dinner Begins
That evening, my mom dressed in her best navy-blue dress and met my in-laws at the restaurant.
From what she told me later, everything seemed picture-perfect at first.
They greeted her warmly, showered her with compliments, and handed her a glittery card that said “To the world’s best mom-in-law!” — though, funnily enough, there was no actual gift inside.
Then came the ordering.
My father-in-law went straight for the seafood tower — $200 worth of shrimp, oysters, and lobster claws.
My mother-in-law ordered lobster ravioli with shaved truffle.
They toasted with premium Italian wine, one glass after another.
And through it all, my mom smiled, chatting politely, sipping her modest glass of water.
“Order anything you like, dear,” my mother-in-law cooed.
“Oh, I’m fine,” my mom replied softly. “I’m just enjoying the company.”
They laughed, oblivious to the irony.
