You loved your husband deeply, Roxane, and felt incredibly lucky to have him. Vincent was a caring, affectionate man, always eager to do his best for the woman he adored.
With his family, however, the luck ran out. They say theres always a black sheep in a clan, but in Vincents case it seemed the reverse: he appeared to be the only normal one while everyone else behaved oddly.
Take his fatherinlaw, for instance. Whenever he saw Roxane, he would comment that she had gained a little weight and might be hiding someone in her belly. Roxane was perfectly fit and hadnt put on a single gram since she met his parents, yet PierreAlain repeated the remark as if it were a staple of his conversation, even if Roxane had shed ten kiloshe would never miss the chance to point it out.
He also liked making crass jokes that left Roxane uneasy; she always felt terribly embarrassed around him. His habit of strolling around the house shirtless didnt help either.
IsabelleAndrée, the motherinlaw, loved doling out lessons to everyone, even in subjects she barely understood. She instructed Roxane on whats fashionable to wear, which hairstyle suits her, which lipstick to pick. When Roxane and Vincent moved into their new flat, IsabelleAndrée unleashed a flood of criticism, poking her nosy nose into every corner and explaining how everything should have been arranged properly.
Then there was Vincents younger sister, a carefree woman with two children from different fathers. She had never maintained a serious relationship with the fathers. She dragged her kids everywhere and, as a mother, expected everyone to bend over backward for her. She wanted the seat next to her on public transport, a spot at the front of the line, to be served before anyone else.
Although she received child support, allowances, and lived off her parents, Nathalie was constantly on the lookout for freebies. Even things she didnt need she would snatch up, feeling a rush of excitement at the immediate acquisition. Consequently, the apartment was filled with stacks of unused diaper packs, piles of unnecessary clothing, toys, and other junk that Roxane hoped to sell. Half of those items were superfluous, but Nathalie claimed she was building a business: collect for free, pretend to be poor, then resell.
Her children were badly behaved and brazen, but with a mother like that they could not be any different. Whenever they visited someones house, they immediately searched for tasty treats, grabbed whatever was within reach, and took other peoples belongings without asking. Nathalie never put them in their place.
Roxane still remembered, with dread, the only time Vincents sister had come over with her kids for a housewarming. The sister brought a tea service that was clearly a freebie, and after they left there were no treats left, a newly bought vase was shattered, and chocolate smears on the curtainsRoxane was convinced it was chocolate.
So, when her birthday approached, Roxane decided not to invite Vincents family. Otherwise the celebration would inevitably be ruined. Her fatherinlaw would make inappropriate remarks, her motherinlaw would try to lecture her, and Nathalie would beg for useless items for her children while they turned the flat upside down.
She felt a pang of awkwardness about the decision toward her husband, but she hoped he would understand.
Vincent, Id like to celebrate my birthday at home. Ill invite my parents and a few friends, she said.
Fine, Im on board. After all, we didnt decorate this place for nothing, right? he smiled.
Yes, exactly. It now looks like a photostudio. But
What? he asked, puzzled.
Please dont be upset, but I dont want to invite your parents.
Vincent sighed deeply and nodded.
Sorry, but its really hard for me with them. For my birthday I just want to relax, not be on edge all the time, Roxane said apologetically.
I get it, no need to explain. Theyre difficult to live with.
Youre not angry?
Not at all. Its your party; it should be just how you want it.
Roxane convinced herself once more that her husband was the most wonderful man in the world. She kept thinking maybe he was adoptedthat would explain everything.
She hadnt told her inlaws about the birthday, saying they would be left out this time, and even asked Vincent not to mention anything to them.
Nevertheless they found out. Her motherinlaw called Roxanes mother under the pretext of a professional matter and, speaking too quickly, blurted out:
This is how your wife treats us! IsabelleAndrée shouted. Were not welcome, is that it?!
Mom, Vincent tried to calm her, Roxane just wanted to celebrate with her parents and a few close friends. Its her birthday, she decides. If there had been a big feast, you would have been invited.
Alright, I understand. Tell your wife were terribly offended!
Her mother hung up, leaving Vincent shaking his head. He understood Roxane perfectly. Hed always been embarrassed by his relatives and didnt want Roxane to feel the same discomfort.
He decided to stay silent and not spoil the celebration, promising to relay his mothers words after the party.
On the morning of her twentysixth birthday, Vincent presented Roxane with a bouquet and a spa voucher, knowing she was exhausted that yearfrom the wedding, the renovation, the move, and her heavy workload. She desperately needed rest.
Guests began arriving in the afternoon. Roxane had pulled out all the stops: a delicious meal, a carefully chosen outfit, an immaculate hairstyle. She looked happy, expecting memorable moments from the day.
She had no idea what was about to happen.
When everyone had settled, the door rang.
It must be the cake, Roxane exclaimed, I completely forgotI ordered it at the last minute.
She opened the door with a smile, only to find an unwanted crowd standing there, the whole family.
Happy birthday, Roxane! her motherinlaw said, handing over a rose. Will you let us in?
Roxane had no choice but to step aside.
The room erupted in noise. Nathalies children took off their shoes and rushed to the table. The fatherinlaw announced that Roxane had chosen the wrong dress size.
You should have gone a size up, he laughed.
Maybe you omitted us from the list, the motherinlaw added, I see you have guests, but apparently no room for us. My God, Roxane! You invite people, but you forget to clean the floor. She meant the kids had made a mess, but held back.
Her mood sank. The children immediately began shouting, grabbing food with both hands, rummaging through cupboards for candy. The youngest began to cry, upset about the missing cake.
You could have bought a cake, look, Sébastien is disappointed! Nathalie scolded. And whats this, a perfume? Let me try it. Youll give me yours later.
Roxane stayed silent. Vincent watched his family settle around the table, asking for plates, listening to his mother criticize the meal, while his father made odd jokes.
Vincents patience finally snapped when Nathalie slipped an envelope stuffed with cash from the buffet, thinking no one saw. It contained cash gifts.
Put that back where it belongs! Vincent barked.
What are you talking about? she blinked innocently.
I saw everything!
I just wanted to add some money; I didnt have time to get an envelope, she apologized.
Vincent, dont pick a fight with Nathalie, dont ruin the evening, his mother scolded him. Remind your wife its rude to forget to invite your family.
And tell her the right dress size, the fatherinlaw sneered, because, Roxane, all your curves are on display in that dress.
Enough! Vincent slammed the table so hard the children fell silent. Mom, dad, Nathalie, its time to leave.
What?! his mother protested. How dare you?
How dare you come without an invitation? How dare you insult my wife? How dare your children behave so impolitely? Until you learn proper manners, you have no place here.
A scandal erupted. Roxane finally breathed a sigh of relief when the unwanted guests finally departed.
Unfortunately, her birthday was ruined. Despite friends and relatives trying to lift her spirits, it was hard to recover the original atmosphere.
Yet there was a lesson: Roxane realized once again she had chosen the right life partnersomeone ready to defend her, even against his own family. No matter what, she knew he would stand by her. That, she thought, was probably the best gift she could ever receive.
