You Forgot to Invite Us to the Party
Emily deeply loved her husband. She considered herself incredibly lucky to have him. James was a thoughtful, caring man who always went out of his way to make her happy.
But with his family, Emily wasnt so fortunate. People say every family has a black sheepwell, in Jamess family, it was the opposite. He seemed to be the only normal one, while the rest were downright peculiar.
Take his father, for example. Whenever he saw Emily, hed comment on how shed filled out and might be hiding someone in her belly. Never mind that Emily was in perfect shape and hadnt gained an ounce since meeting Jamess parents. That didnt stop Geoffrey. It was like his default small talk, something hed say even if shed lost a stone.
He also had a knack for crude jokes that made Emily uncomfortable. She always felt on edge around him. And his habit of wandering around shirtless didnt help.
Jamess mother, Margaret, loved giving unsolicited advice, even on things she knew nothing about. Shed lecture Emily on fashion, hairstyles, or lipstick shades. When Emily and James moved into their new flat, Margaret unleashed a torrent of criticism, poking her nose into every corner and insisting how things *should* have been arranged.
Then there was Jamess younger sister, Nataliea carefree woman with two kids from different fathers, neither of whom shed had a proper relationship with. She dragged her children everywhere and, as a mother, expected the world to bend over backward for her. Seats on the tube, skipping queues, being served firstall without question.
Despite child support and benefits, while still living off her parents, Natalie was always scrounging for freebies. Even things she didnt need, shed grab in a frenzy, claiming she was building her empire by reselling them later. Their flat was cluttered with unused nappies (which Emily hoped to sell), heaps of unwanted clothes, and toyshalf of which were pointless, but Natalie insisted they were stock.
Her kids were unruly and cheeky, hardly a surprise given their upbringing. When visiting others, theyd immediately raid the treats, swipe anything within reach, and take what wasnt theirs without asking. Natalie never scolded them.
Emily shuddered remembering the one time Natalie and her kids came for their housewarming. Shed gifted an obviously free tea set, and after they left, all the sweets were gone, a new vase was smashed, and there were chocolate smears on the curtains (at least, Emily *hoped* it was chocolate).
So when her birthday approached, Emily decided not to invite Jamess family. Otherwise, her party would be ruined. His father would make inappropriate remarks, his mother would lecture her, and Natalie would beg for free stuff while her kids trashed the flat.
She felt a little guilty but hoped James would understand.
James, Id like to celebrate my birthday at home. Just my parents and a few close friends.
Sounds lovely. We did fix up the flat nicely, didnt we? he smiled.
Yes, exactly. It looks like a magazine shoot now. But.
What?
Please dont be upset. I dont want to invite your family.
James sighed and nodded.
Im sorry, but theyre just difficult. I want to relax, not walk on eggshells on my own birthday.
I get it. No need to explain. They *are* a handful.
Youre not angry?
Not at all. Its your dayyou choose.
Emily smiled, convinced again he was the most wonderful man alive. Sometimes she wondered if he was adoptedit would explain everything.
She hadnt mentioned the party to his parents, saying they were keeping it small. She even asked James not to tell them.
But they found out. His mother rang Emilys mum to discuss work and accidentally let it slip.
Is this how your daughter treats us? Were not good enough? Margaret shrieked.
Mum, James tried to calm her, Emily just wanted a quiet celebration. If it had been a big do, youd have been invited.
Fine. But tell your wife were *deeply* offended!
She hung up, leaving James shaking his head. He understood Emily perfectly. Hed always been ashamed of his family, though hed never say it out loud. He decided not to ruin her moodhed tell her after the party.
On the morning of her 26th birthday, James gave her flowers and a spa voucher. Shed had a rough yearwedding, renovations, moving, work stress. She deserved to unwind.
Guests started arriving that afternoon. Emily had gone all outgorgeous dress, perfect hair, delicious spread. She was ready for a wonderful day.
Then the doorbell rang.
Thatll be the cake! Emily smiled. Forgot I ordered it last minute.
She opened the doorand froze. There stood her worst nightmare. The whole lot of them.
Happy birthday, *darling*, Margaret sneered, thrusting a single rose at her. Going to let us in?
Emily had no choice.
Chaos erupted. Natalies kids kicked off their shoes and dove for the food. Geoffrey chuckled, That dress is *tight*, love. Might wanna size up.
Did you *forget* to invite us? Margaret tutted. Honestly, Emily, hosting guests but not even cleaning the floors?
Emily bit her tonguethe mess was *their* doing.
The kids screeched, grabbed food with their hands, and raided cupboards for sweets. The youngest threw a tantrum over no cake.
Couldve at least bought a cake! Natalie scolded. And is that perfume? Let me try it. You can give me the ones you dont like.
Emily stayed silent. James watched, jaw clenched, as his family took over, demanded plates, critiqued the food, and laughed at their own jokes.
But when Natalie snatched an envelope of money from the sideboardthinking no one sawJames snapped.
Put that *back*.
What? She blinked innocently.
I *saw* you.
Just adding my gift! Didnt have an envelope.
James, dont make a scene, Margaret chided. Tell your wife its *rude* to exclude family.
And tell her to dress properly, Geoffrey added. That dress leaves *nothing* to the imagination.
*Enough!* James slammed the table so hard even the kids froze. Mum, Dad, Natalieyoure leaving.
*Excuse me?!* Margaret gasped.
How *dare* you show up uninvited? Insult my wife? Let your brats run wild? Until you learn manners, youre *not welcome here*.
A row erupted. Emily only breathed once they were gone.
Her birthday was ruined. Even with friends trying to cheer her, the mood never recovered.
But there was a silver lining: Emily knew, without a doubt, shed married the right manone whod stand up for her, even against his own family. That was the best gift she couldve gotten.
