“Your wealth should be reflected in your gifts,” snapped the mother-in-law.
“You’re better off than Sophie, so your presents ought to match,” she grumbled.
“I really dont know what to get Mum,” mused Lawrence, slumping onto the sofa beside his wife.
Emily just shrugged in reply. Picking a gift for his mother had always been tricky for her.
Things with Margaret Thompson had been strained practically from the start.
Lawrence had always understood his mothers stance, so after discussing it with Emily, theyd agreed to keep their distance.
No one owed anyone anything. The odd phone call and the occasional family gathering were the extent of their interaction.
This year, though, Margaret had decided to throw a birthday party and had invited most of the familyincluding them.
“Actually, Mum said shed be happy with anything,” Lawrence suddenly remembered.
“She always says that, then turns her nose up,” Emily frowned, recalling past disappointments. “Your sister could give her a paperclip, and shed be thrilledbut not us!”
She remembered every critical remark Margaret had ever made about their gifts.
“Remember Mothers Day? We got her that expensive skincare setwhat was her reaction? Tears, and accusations that we thought she was old and frumpy,” Emily sighed. “The only gifts shes ever liked were gold or techthings she could price-check.”
“Maybe I should call and ask what she wants?” Lawrence hesitated.
“Up to you,” Emily replied, shaking her head.
Opting for the easy way out, Lawrence dialled his mothers number to find out her preference.
“Darling, I dont need a thing. Just seeing you will be gift enough,” Margaret replied sweetly.
“Are you sure, Mum? You wont be upset?” Lawrence pressed.
“Of course not! Id be delighted with any little trinket,” she laughed. Lawrence decided to take her at her word.
“Mum says we can get her whatever,” he told Emily.
She gave him a sceptical look. She didnt trust her mother-in-laws promises.
Still, Lawrence insisted on choosing the gift himself, so Emily relented.
“How about a robot vacuum? She wont have to lug the hose around anymore,” Emily suggested after checking their budget.
They agreed. They bought Margaret a gift worth a thousand pounds and headed to the party in good spirits.
The birthday girl greeted them with a bright smileuntil she spotted the vacuum box. Her face fell.
“Why?” she sighed irritably. “Lawrence, just put that in the spare room.”
Emily stared, stunned by the reaction.
Soon after, Lawrences sister, Claire, arrived with her husband. She threw her arms around Margaret, beaming.
“Mum, this is for you!”
“Oh, darling, youve outdone yourself!” Margaret gushed, hugging her tightly.
Curious, Emily glanced overonly to see Claire had given her mother a cheap cosmetics set worth no more than twenty quid.
She exchanged a bewildered look with Lawrence, whod seen it too. His expression told her he was just as hurt by his mothers double standards.
For hours, Lawrence bit his tongueuntil Margaret started praising Claires gift yet again. Then he snapped.
“Mum, can we talk?” he asked, steering her aside.
“Whats wrong?” she asked innocently.
“Whats wrong? You told me any gift would do. Remember?” he said sharply.
“I remember”
“Then why the face when we gave you ours? Meanwhile, you wont stop gushing over that cheap set,” Lawrence retorted. “Dont pretend Im imagining this.”
“I wont lie. Youre better off than Claireyour gifts should reflect that,” Margaret huffed.
“And ours dont? Should we start including receipts to prove we spent enough?” Lawrence scowled.
“Oh, enough!” She waved him off. “What can I say? I simply liked Claires gift more.”
“Because you dont know what ours cost?” he shot back. “In case youre wonderingit was a thousand pounds!”
“That much?” Margaret gasped, feigning shock.
But she quickly recovered.
“Claires family gives what they can afford. You? You just throw money at the problem,” she sniffed.
“Are you serious?” Lawrence dragged a hand down his face.
“Do I look like Im joking? With your income, you couldve booked me a spa weekend,” she said haughtily.
Lawrence gaped at her.
“Do you honestly think Emily and I just have money raining from the sky?” he exploded.
His outburst drew Emily and Claires attention. They froze in the doorway, stunned.
Claire caught on faster.
“Mum didnt want a robot vacuumshe wanted a humidifier. Hers broke last week. If you paid attention, youd know,” she snapped.
“I asked her what she wanted!” Lawrence growled through gritted teeth. “Are you having a laugh? Thats itno more gifts! We bend over backwards, and all we get is criticism. The vacuums not enough? Now its a humidifier? Sorry were such a let-down! Were leaving!” He turned to Emily.
Margaret burst into tears as Claire comforted her. The couple stormed out, faces set.
True to his word, Lawrence kept his distance after thatno more gifts, no more family gatherings. It was easier that way.
