I reluctantly set off with my son to visit my mother. The thought of leaving makes my heart tighten, yet I pack our things and head out with Théo to my mother, ÉlodieLaurents, place. All because yesterday, while I was out walking Théo, my husband Matthieu decided to be hospitable by cramming his cousin Aurélie, her husband Grégoire, and their two kids, Amélie and Lucas, into our bedroomwithout even asking me. He simply announced, You and Théo can stay at your mothers; theres room. Im still stunned by such audacity. This is our home, our bedroom; now Im supposed to pack my suitcase and make way for strangers? No, thats too much.
The drama began when I returned from the walk with Théo. Exhausted, he was whining, and I was looking forward to putting him to bed before enjoying a quiet tea. But stepping into the apartment, I was met with chaos. Aurélie and Grégoire had already taken over our room. Their children were running everywhere, scattering toys, while my belongingsbooks, beauty products, even my laptopwere shoved into a corner as if I no longer existed. I stood frozen, shocked: What is this circus? Matthieu, unruffled, replied, Aurélies family needed a place to stay. I thought you could go to your mothers. Youll be comfortable there.
I nearly choked on my anger. First, this is our house! We bought it together, handpicking every piece of furniture. And now I have to disappear because his relatives want to enjoy Paris? And why didnt he consult me? Maybe I would have agreed after a discussion, but this felt like a command. Aurélie didnt even apologize; she just smiled and said, Come on, Camille, dont worry, well only be here for two weeks! Two weeks? I dont want them touching my things for a single day!
Grégoire kept silent as a fish, collapsed on our sofa, sipping coffee from my favorite mug and nodding at Aurélies remarks. Their kids were a disaster. Sixyearold Amélie spilled juice on the carpet, and fouryearold Lucas turned my wardrobe into a hideout. I tried to remind them this isnt a hotel, but Aurélie shrugged, Oh, theyre just kids, what do you expect? Of course, and now its my job to clean up after them.
I attempted a oneonone with Matthieu. I told him how deeply his disrespect hurt me, explained that Théo needed stability, and that sending him to my mothers to sleep on a folding bed wasnt a solution. Matthieu sighed, Camille, dont dramatize. Theyre family; we have to help them. Family? What about us? I felt tears well up, but I clenched my jaw and packed our suitcases. If he thinks Ill simply surrender, hes wrong.
My mother, Élodie, erupted when she heard the news: Matthieu thinks hes king of the house? Come here, dear, I have room for you and Théo. As for your husband, hell answer for this! Shes ready to swoop in and kick these intruders out. Yet I refuse a scandal; I just want peace to think.
While Im sorting Théos toys, he looks at me with his big eyes and asks, Mom, are we staying at grandmas for a long time? I hold him close and say, Not long, sweetheartjust until dad understands. Deep down I know Ill only come back when our home is ours again, and Matthieu will have to choose: his hospitality or his family.
