– Where do you think you’re going? We’ve come all this way to visit you, – remarked the sister-in-law assertively.
“I can’t stand your sister!” grumbled Helen, frowning in annoyance. “She really gets on my nerves!”
“She’s not just irritating to you!” supported her husband, Mark.
“She’s always poking her nose into everything and thinks she’s the cleverest. You should see how triumphant she looks when she manages to get under my skin,” Helen said through gritted teeth. “She says my education is lacking or that my makeup is outdated…”
“She’s always been like that,” Mark shrugged. “It’s entirely due to my mother spoiling her.”
“Good thing we live sixty miles away from your family,” Helen rolled her eyes.
Mark’s mother, Sarah, and his sister, Clara, lived in the city, while Mark and Helen were settled in a small town nearby.
Both women were widows sharing a house, so when Mark and Helen visited Sarah, it inevitably included a visit with Clara as well.
Mark’s sister was not fond of his wife, making squabbles unavoidable.
During the first few visits, Helen gritted her teeth in silence. After a while, she decided to stand her ground since even Sarah started finding faults with her when she showed weakness.
This made each visit erupt in a quarrel, leading the couple to decide against visiting Mark’s family altogether.
Sarah quickly noticed and called Mark demanding an explanation.
“Why haven’t you visited? It’s been two weeks since we last saw you. Can’t you see that your mum and sister miss you?” she scolded.
“We’ve been busy,” Mark replied curtly, avoiding details.
“Busy with what, exactly?” Sarah asked suspiciously. “Is your wife forbidding you? Last time, she left looking like she’d eaten a whole lemon!”
“I told you, we’ve been busy,” Mark reiterated and hurriedly ended the call.
An hour later, Sarah rang again, announcing that she and Clara were planning to visit them in the town.
“For what reason?” Mark asked, perplexed.
“I wanted to visit an old childhood friend, and to see you as well, since you haven’t come to us,” explained Sarah matter-of-factly.
Mark’s expression changed instantly. He had avoided going to them only for them to now come to him.
“We might not be home,” Mark attempted to deter their visit.
“Where are you off to?” Sarah inquired with frustration. “It seems to me you just don’t want to see us. If that’s the case, just say so.”
“We’re going to a friend’s birthday,” Mark improvised on the spot.
“Well go then, even though your mum and sister don’t visit every day,” Sarah said hurt, then hung up.
Mark felt guilty towards his mother and sister, but recalling their behavior towards Helen, he soon dismissed it.
Mark decided not to mention the intended visit to Helen, to avoid unnecessary stress.
However, three hours later, he realized his mistake. When the doorbell rang, Helen rushed to open it.
Seeing the smirking faces of Sarah and Clara, she was caught off guard. She hadn’t expected family visitors.
Mark, who had only remembered the visit as Helen went to the door, hurried to the hall.
“Helen, are you ready? You haven’t changed yet?” Mark asked, pretending not to notice the uninvited guests.
“Ready for what?” Helen looked at Mark, confused.
“For the birthday party. Did you forget?” Mark smiled tensely. “Oh, Mum, Clara, what brings you here?”
“We came to visit, as I told you,” Sarah answered calmly. “Are you going to let us in or keep us on the doorstep?”
“No, we can’t, we’re heading out. Helen, hurry up and get dressed,” instructed Mark, grabbing his wife’s hand.
Helen glanced questioningly at her husband and, seeing him wink, realized he was trying to show the unannounced guests out.
“Where are you off to? We’ve come here to see you,” Clara asked, arms crossed. “Isn’t it a bit late for a birthday?”
“No, it’s for eight o’clock,” Mark fibbed again. “We need to leave in half an hour.”
“You’re going in your lounge trousers?” smirked Sarah, noticing Mark’s attire.
“Darn, I forgot to change,” Mark blushed deeply and ran to the bedroom.
Clara and Sarah watched him and Helen leave, exchanging glances of disbelief.
They found it hard to believe Mark and Helen were genuinely going out.
Sure of a fabricated birthday tale to avoid them, they pressed on.
“Can’t you cancel the outing for us?” inquired Sarah, when Mark returned, now in smart attire.
“No, we can’t,” Mark insisted, straightening his shirt collar. “We were invited ages ago; the place is paid per guest. We can’t not go. Pop by next week,” he added, knowing Sarah would take it poorly and refuse.
“Could we wait here until you’re back?” Clara asked, looking around. “Wait it out, so to speak.”
“No, why? You’ve got somewhere else to go, haven’t you?” Mark declined firmly.
“Well, staying with you beats an old friend’s,” Sarah chuckled. “Besides, we’ve been to her place, and she wasn’t overjoyed seeing us.”
“Shall I drop you at the coach station?” offered Mark, hinting he wouldn’t leave them at his home.
“The coaches have stopped, and you can’t drive us,” Clara smiled slyly.
“I could book you a hotel for the night,” Mark suggested the only feasible option. “I’m afraid that’s the best I can do.”
Sarah frowned, disheartened by Mark’s lack of hospitality, expecting he’d relent.
“So, a hotel it is?” Clara’s voice cut through. “Afraid we’ll rob you?”
“No, it’s just we don’t like people in the house when we’re gone,” Helen interjected. “Nobody stays here without us.”
“Let me at least drive you to the hotel,” Mark offered, trying to ease the tension.
“No need!” Sarah retorted angrily, redirecting herself out.
Trailing after her, Clara continued cursing and expressing disdain towards Mark and Helen.
Watching them rush out into the street, Mark and Helen sighed in relief.
The supposed birthday trip was postponed; it was no longer necessary.
Sarah and Clara called a taxi and left for the city, swearing to cut off ties with the unruly couple.
Mark only recalled his family’s existence when in need of a medical check-up or a meal.
Clara answered the door, noticing no warmth in her voice. She pointedly noted that they were heading out soon and weren’t leaving strangers in their home.
Mark realized his mother and sister took serious offense.
From then on, his relationship with them was irreparably fractured.
