You Forgot to Invite Us to the Party
Rachel loved her husband dearly. She felt incredibly fortunate to have him. Will was a caring and affectionate man who always did his best to make her happy.
However, Rachel wasn’t as lucky with her in-laws. There’s a saying that every family has a black sheep, but in their family, Will seemed to be the only normal one, while the rest were quite peculiar.
For instance, her father-in-law, Harold, would always comment on Rachel’s figure, suggesting she might be expecting. Rachel maintained her fitness and hadn’t gained any weight since meeting Will’s parents, but Harold seemed to be in a loop with his remarks. Even if she lost ten pounds, he’d likely still make the same comment.
Harold often shared off-color jokes, laughing heartily at them, which made Rachel feel uncomfortable. His habit of walking around the house shirtless only added to her embarrassment.
Her mother-in-law, Irene, enjoyed giving advice on everything, even things she didn’t fully understand. She tried to teach Rachel about fashion, suggested haircuts, and which lipstick to wear. When Rachel and Will moved into their own home, Irene became more intrusive, critiquing their setup and offering unsolicited advice on decor.
Will’s younger sister, Nicole, was flighty and had two kids by different fathers, with whom she had no serious relationships. She dragged her children everywhere, feeling everyone owed her something as a mother—like offering their seat on the bus or letting her cut in line.
Despite receiving child support and benefits, and living off her parents, Nicole constantly sought freebies. She had an addiction to snagging things, even if she didn’t need them. Diaper packs, outgrown by her children and destined for Rachel to sell, stacked up, along with heaps of unused clothes and toys. Nicole called it a business—acting needy to get things for free and then selling them.
Her children were rude and impolite, but with a mother like Nicole, they couldn’t be any different. When visiting others, they’d rummage for sweets and take things without asking, and Nicole never corrected them.
Rachel dreaded the memory of Nicole’s family crashing their housewarming. They brought a freebie tea set as a gift, and after they left, there were no sweets left, a vase was broken, and there were chocolate smears on the curtains—at least Rachel hoped it was chocolate.
So, as Rachel’s birthday approached, she decided not to invite Will’s relatives. She knew they’d ruin her day. Harold would crack inappropriate jokes, Irene would lecture her, and Nicole would beg guests for unwanted items for her kids while they wreaked havoc in Rachel and Will’s home.
Rachel felt a bit guilty about her decision but hoped Will would understand.
“Will, I want to celebrate my birthday at home with my parents and a few friends.”
“Sounds good. After all the effort we’ve put into decorating, we should enjoy it,” Will smiled.
“Exactly. It’s like a photo studio here now, but…”
“But what?” Will grew concerned.
“Please don’t be upset. But I don’t want to invite your family.”
Will sighed heavily and nodded.
“Sorry, but they make it hard for me. On my birthday, I just want to relax, not be on edge,” Rachel confessed.
“I understand completely. It truly is difficult with them.”
“Are you angry?”
“No, Rachel. It’s your celebration, and it should be the way you want it.”
Once again, Rachel was reminded of how lucky she was to have Will. Sometimes, she wondered if he was adopted, as that would explain everything.
Rachel didn’t tell her in-laws about her birthday plans, just saying she was spending it quietly with Will. Will promised not to mention anything either.
Yet, somehow, they found out. Irene called Rachel’s mom to discuss something work-related, and her mom let slip.
“That’s how your wife treats us!” Irene shouted over the phone. “We weren’t welcome, is that it?!”
“Mom,” Will tried to calm her, “Rachel wanted a quiet gathering with her parents and a couple of friends. It’s her birthday, after all, and her choice. If it were a big event, you’d have been invited.”
“I see. Tell her we’re deeply offended!”
Irene hung up, and Will shook his head, fully understanding his wife. Although he felt it wasn’t right to say, he’d always been embarrassed by his family and hoped Rachel wouldn’t have to feel the same shame.
So he chose not to tell Rachel, wanting to keep the day special. He planned to explain after her birthday.
The next morning, as Rachel turned twenty-six, Will gave her a bouquet and a spa voucher. He knew she was exhausted from the wedding, renovations, and work stresses. She needed a break.
As the day went on, guests arrived. Rachel went all out: a delicious meal, dressed up, styled her hair—she was clearly thrilled and eager to enjoy her birthday.
But she had no idea what surprises awaited her.
After everyone settled in, there was a knock at the door.
“That must be the cake,” Rachel jumped up. “I nearly forgot, so I ordered it last minute.”
She opened the door with a smile, which quickly vanished. There stood the unwelcome guests—all of them.
“Happy birthday, Rachel!” Irene said, pursing her lips and handing her a single rose. “Will you let us in?”
With no choice, Rachel stepped aside.
Chaos ensued. Nicole’s kids kicked off their shoes and darted to the table. Harold remarked that Rachel’s dress was the wrong size.
“It could be a tad bigger,” he chuckled.
“Perhaps you forgot to invite us,” continued Irene. “I see you have guests. But we weren’t on the list. Heaven, Rachel! Inviting people but forgetting to clean the floors.”
Rachel wanted to point out that her grandchildren had just dirtied the floors, but she held her tongue.
Her mood sank. The kids started grabbing food with their hands and rummaging through cupboards for more sweets. The youngest even cried when there was no cake.
“You could have gotten a cake, now look at poor Billy,” admonished Nicole. “Is that perfume? Let me try it. You’ll give me your old one then.”
Rachel hadn’t uttered a word. Will remained silent, watching his family settle in, demanding plates, listening as his mom criticized the food, and dad cracked awkward jokes.
But Will reached his limit when he caught Nicole slipping an envelope filled with money, all Rachel’s gifts, off the table.
“Put it back!” he barked.
“What do you mean?” Nicole blinked innocently.
“I saw everything!”
“I just wanted to add money, didn’t have a chance to get a proper envelope,” Nicole started to lie.
“Don’t start with her, Will,” his mother chided. “Remind your wife it’s rude not to invite family.”
“And tell her the right dress size,” Harold guffawed, “all your rolls are visible in that dress, Rachel.”
“Enough!” Will slammed his hand on the table, silencing even the kids. “Mom, Dad, Nicole, time for you to go.”
“What?!” his mother exclaimed in anger. “How dare you?”
“How dare you come uninvited? How dare you upset my wife? How can your kids, Nicole, be so rude? Until you learn some manners, you’re not welcome here.”
The argument that followed was intense. Rachel only breathed easy once the unwelcome guests left.
Naturally, the party was ruined. No matter how friends and her parents tried to cheer her up, the mood was hard to recover.
However, Rachel found solace in knowing she had chosen the right partner. A man who stood by her side, even against his own family. She knew he would always be there for her, and that was perhaps the greatest gift she could receive.
