“Where do you think you’re going? We’ve come to visit you,” admonished Jane, arms akimbo.
“I can’t stand your sister!” grumbled Helen, frowning with irritation. “She drives me crazy!”
“You’re not the only one,” chimed in her husband, James.
“She sticks her nose into everything and thinks she’s the smartest. You should see the triumphant look on her face when she manages to rile me up,” Helen spat through clenched teeth. “First, she criticizes my education, then my outdated makeup…”
“She’s always been like that,” shrugged James. “It’s entirely my mother’s fault—she spoiled and indulged her.”
“At least we live 60 miles away from your family,” Helen rolled her eyes.
James’s mom, Alice, and his sister Jane lived in London, while the couple resided in a small village nearby.
Both women were widows sharing a flat, so whenever James and Helen visited his mom, they ended up seeing Jane as well.
Jane couldn’t stand Helen, leading to inevitable bickering.
During the initial visits, Helen bit her tongue, but eventually decided to stand up to Jane. As soon as Alice noticed Helen’s meekness, she too began to nitpick.
Consequently, every visit turned into a drama, prompting the couple to stop visiting James’s family altogether.
Alice soon took notice and called James, demanding to know why.
“Why haven’t you visited? It’s been two weeks. Did it not occur to you that your mother and sister miss you?” she chided.
“We’re busy,” James responded curtly, avoiding details.
“Doing what, exactly?” Alice questioned skeptically. “Is your wife forbidding you? Last time she left looking like she’d eaten a hundred lemons.”
“I told you, we’re busy,” James said and quickly ended the call.
An hour later, Alice called back saying she and Jane planned to visit the village.
“Why?” James asked, surprised.
“To visit an old friend and, of course, see you since you can’t come to us,” Alice explained matter-of-factly.
James’s face fell. He had avoided visiting so they wouldn’t come over.
“We might not be home,” he tried to discourage his mother and sister from their visit.
“Where are you off to?” Alice asked, frustrated. “Is it that you just don’t want to see us? If so, say it outright.”
“We’re going to a friend’s birthday,” James improvised.
“Well, go ahead, though it’s rare for your mother and sister to visit,” Alice replied, sounding hurt, before hanging up.
James felt guilty toward his mom and Jane, but recalling their behavior with Helen, he brushed it off.
He didn’t mention their intended visit to Helen to avoid unnecessary worry.
However, three hours later, he regretted it. The doorbell rang, and Helen rushed to answer.
Seeing the smirking faces of Alice and Jane left Helen momentarily speechless. They hadn’t expected family as guests.
Remembering only at that moment about his mother and sister, James quickly followed his wife to the door.
“Helen, are you ready? Haven’t you dressed yet?” he asked disapprovingly, feigning ignorance of the uninvited guests.
“Ready for what?” Helen gave James a bewildered look.
“The birthday party. Did you forget?” he smiled awkwardly. “Oh, mom, Jane, what brings you here?”
“We came to visit. I did call,” Alice said serenely. “Could you let us in, or do you intend to keep us on the doorstep?”
“No, we can’t. We’re heading out. Helen, go and get dressed,” commanded James, grabbing his wife’s hand.
Helen looked questioningly at James, but his wink made her realize he was trying to usher the guests out.
“Where are you off to? We’ve come to visit you,” Jane demanded, hands on her hips. “Isn’t it late for a birthday?”
“No, starts at eight,” James fibbed again. “We’ll be there in half an hour.”
“You’re going in your loungewear?” smirked Alice, noting her son’s attire.
“Darn, forgot to change,” said a blushing James running back to his room.
Alice and Jane exchanged skeptical glances, doubting the credibility of the birthday story.
They were convinced the story was fabricated to get rid of them.
“Can’t you postpone your plans for us?” Alice asked when James returned, now dressed.
“No, it’s been planned for ages,” James replied, adjusting his shirt collar. “Besides, we’ve paid for our spots. Please visit next week,” knowing that would deter his mum.
“Perhaps we should wait here until you get back?” suggested Jane, looking around.
“No, there’s no need,” James said firmly. “Surely you have somewhere else to go?”
“My son’s place is better than an old friend’s,” Alice chuckled. “We’ve already been, and she wasn’t thrilled to see us.”
“Shall I drop you at the bus station?” James implied he’d not leave them alone at his place.
“There aren’t any buses now, and you can’t take us either,” Jane smirked slyly.
“I could book a hotel for you,” offered James. “That’s the best I can do.”
Alice furrowed her brow, disappointed. She had hoped James would let them stay.
“So, a hotel it is?” Jane’s voice hinted at offense. “You don’t trust us to stay?”
“No, we just don’t want anyone here while we’re out,” Helen jumped in. “We prefer privacy in our absence.”
“Would you like me to drive you to the hotel?” James tried to ease the tension.
“We’ll manage,” Alice replied, and turning on her heel, left the apartment.
Following her was Jane, muttering curses and complaints at the couple.
Watching them leave from the window, James and Helen breathed a sigh of relief.
Their feigned birthday party could be canceled; it was no longer necessary.
Alice and Jane took a taxi back to London, deciding not to bother with their ungrateful relatives again.
James remembered his family only when he needed to see his doctor or have lunch in London.
Jane opened the door, coolly informing him they were about to leave and didn’t want a stranger in their flat.
James realized with displeasure that his mother and sister were deeply hurt.
That encounter shattered any remaining family bonds.
