Cooking for Everyone
“I’m not planning a huge birthday bash for my milestone celebration, so I’m inviting only a few guests,” Anne explained to her son and daughter-in-law over dinner.
“How many is that?” James asked, knowing his mother’s fondness for extravagant parties.
“Twenty-three people will definitely be there, and a couple more might come,” the elderly woman calmly replied.
“Wait a minute,” Holly interjected. “You’ve already invited everyone, haven’t you? Now you’re just informing us?”
“Well, I’m turning seventy, it’s my house, and I feel entitled to invite whoever I want,” Anne retorted. “Only my children, grandchildren, and close sisters and their families. I’m not inviting neighbors or distant relatives.”
“Why go through all the trouble and cost?” James wondered. “Our place isn’t big enough for everyone. We’ll have to buy groceries, clean, and organize everything.”
“Oh, it’s fine to live in my house, but throwing a party for your mother is too much, I see,” Anne started her familiar complaint. “This might be my last big birthday. I have the right to make my own decisions.”
“You realize Mum can’t handle the preparations alone?” James pointed out later. “My older sister Kate has been on the outs with Mum and might not show up at all. My younger sister Emma lives in another town and won’t come to help, so it all falls on you.”
“Great, so I’m the hired help for the week,” Holly grumbled.
“But we have no choice. We want to honor Mum, and we do live in her house,” James reminded her.
Holly didn’t really want to do any of it, but living under the same roof with her mother-in-law made it feel compulsory. She knew that otherwise, Anne would make life difficult. Two weeks before the party, Holly did a deep clean of the house until it shone, planning to give it another quick sweep before the event.
“I don’t like this menu you’ve planned,” Anne criticized, reviewing Holly’s notes. “There aren’t enough meat dishes. Your trendy sandwiches won’t do, and the guests mustn’t leave hungry.”
“But there are plenty of dishes. They’re all hearty and will take both time and money to prepare,” Holly defended her choices.
“Alright, I’ll add something more. We’ll sort it out later,” Anne grumbled.
With her additions, the list of dishes and expenses grew significantly. Anne planned to cover part of the cost herself, expecting support from her son and daughter-in-law for the rest.
“First, we’re one family, and that’s normal,” she declared. “Second, I haven’t decided about the house. If I leave it to you, you’ll be lucky, so a little effort wouldn’t hurt.”
Holly bit her tongue to avoid upsetting her husband, who humbly fulfilled his mother’s whims. She didn’t want to buy everything from one supermarket, thinking it wasn’t economical.
“But we’ll waste petrol, time, and energy to buy oil at one shop, cream at the market, and eggs out of town,” Holly didn’t get it.
“It’s nothing,” Anne insisted. “I want to be sure of the quality, so we must buy where I always do.”
Anne wasn’t in good health or strength to help with cooking, but she managed the shopping and insisted James drive her to each store. After work, James had to drag himself around town with his mother, enduring her lectures.
“I hope you have a good baker for the cake?” Anne asked Holly.
“I thought we’d just buy a ready-made cake or some pastries,” Holly hesitated.
“Oh sure, let’s just buy a loaf in honor of my big birthday,” the pensioner theatrically lamented. “I bet you wouldn’t do this to your own mother.”
“For her milestone last year, my mum didn’t celebrate at all,” Holly blurted out. “We just sat at home with my parents and my brother’s family.”
“Well, that’s your personal business. Every family has its rules,” Anne wouldn’t back down. “You’re in ours now; be courteous and respect them.”
Holly genuinely tried to please her mother-in-law. During lunch breaks, she scoured the shops for the perfect cake and browsed recipes. After work, she’d rush to buy more supplies because something was always missing. Since guests were expected on Saturday, she took time off from Thursday to finish everything.
“I see you’ve got no sense of decency,” Anne fumed again. “James doesn’t get it, but you should offer to help more.”
“What did I do wrong?” Holly tried to understand the dissatisfaction.
“I’m hosting, guests will come, and I must greet them in a dressing gown and messy hair?”
Holly had to drag herself to shop with her mother-in-law to buy an outfit. She even arranged for a friend to come and do Anne’s hair and makeup at home.
“Why are you roasting rolls today?” Anne stormed into the kitchen. “The party’s the day after tomorrow, and they won’t be fresh.”
“Because tomorrow’s packed and I physically can’t cook everything at once,” Holly reminded. “The stove and oven will be busy, and I only have two hands.”
“Then start earlier and stop acting like a hero,” Anne pressed.
“You’re trying to do everything at my expense,” Holly couldn’t hold back. “If it’s not good enough, I won’t do anything then.”
“What?!” Anne’s face turned crimson with rage.
“Take your party to a café or order delivery,” Holly lost control. “I’ve had enough of complaints and accusations.”
James came home to a weeping wife and an angry mother, who was taking heart drops and accusing Holly of ruining her celebration.
“Sweetheart, please, let’s just get through this, and it’ll be over,” James pleaded. “It’s only a few more days, then peace.”
Holly swallowed her pride for her husband’s sake, took a break, then got back to work in the kitchen. She spent all of Friday there, exhausting herself. By Saturday, everything was set, and the house gleamed. Anne, in her new outfit and hairstyle, graciously accepted congratulations from guests and invited everyone to the table.
“Everything was made with love and cheer,” Anne charmed the relatives.
“Everything’s tasty, beautiful, and unique as always,” the guests complimented.
“I worked hard despite some trying to make it difficult,” the birthday girl replied, casting a glance but not directly at Holly or Anne’s daughters.
During the entire celebration, Holly barely sat down, as she constantly ran about with plates. Eventually, James insisted his sisters help his wife.
“I don’t get it; are you a hero or just naive?” Kate, James’s sister, asked in the kitchen.
“What do you mean?” Holly was puzzled.
“Clearly, Mum is using you, relying on your resources and effort for this event,” she replied.
“Don’t rub salt in her wounds,” Emma, the other sister, advised. “You know how our mother is. We keep our distance for good reason.”
“It’s a milestone, respect, and we live together,” Holly was flustered.
“She’s our mum. We’ve come out of fear this really might be her last,” Emma continued. “But to be fair, she’s a demanding person to live with. If you think she’ll leave you the house, unlikely. She just wants control and has done this before.”
The guests stayed late, lavishing praises, devouring nearly everything, and leaving with takeaway treats. After the last guests left, Anne, like a queen, went to rest without even thanking James or Holly for their effort. Holly finally washed the dishes into the early morning, only then getting some rest. But she barely slept, as Anne burst in at 10 a.m., eager to shop with her gifted money.
“I can’t do this anymore,” Holly confided in James as the door closed. “I’m not going, no matter how she reacts.”
James didn’t go either. Anne was offended and later made scenes, telling everyone how her son and daughter-in-law didn’t appreciate or respect her. Two months later, Holly convinced James to move to a rental, far from Anne. She didn’t understand, blaming Holly for ruining her son’s life and showing no respect for a mother. Anne considered herself the perfect mother, with ungrateful children.
