My Overbearing Mother-in-Law Crashed My Home Like She Owned the Place Right Up to My ‘Welcome Back’ Party

The meddling motherinlaw turned up as if it were her own home, right up until I gave her a taste of her own medicine.
Sometimes the enemy under your roof isnt a stranger at all but a motherinlaw with a sweet smile and a Tupperware full of suspicious meatballs. Im Élodie, married for two years, and as the saying goes, everything was fine between my husband and me until his mother started warming up our house far too often. She was so insistent that even the mailman visited less often than she did.
I was sorting the groceries in the kitchen pantry when the doorbell rang. I opened it. Of course it was MarieClaude, my motherinlaw.
Élodie, hello, I made some meatballs! With monkfish! Freshly made! she chirped, holding out a plastic container.
I sighed. My husband and I have hated fish since we were kids. I was fed fish as a baby, and he, the son of a fisherman, ate so much he almost grew gills. Wed talked about it many times. Yet MarieClaude pretended it didnt matter.
MarieClaude, we dont eat fish you know that, I said.
But you cant just throw it away! Keep it, someone will enjoy it! she protested.
It wasnt just the cursed meatballs. She began showing up more and more, unannounced, without even knocking. She would walk in as if the house were hers and start her inspections:
Whats this cheese? Ive never tried it, Ill take a slice. And some salami, toogo buy more later. By the way, I brought fishsharing is caring!
With each visit her appetite grew. One day she arrived with a friend, again without asking.
We were at the pharmacy and wanted to warm up a bit. Can you treat us to coffee?
While I stood rooted at the doorway, she was already rummaging through the fridge, pulling out jam, cheese, biscuits, while her companion settled at the table.
I felt like a stranger in my own home. My husband just shruggedIts Mom, shes nice. Nice? Id seen her hide our pineapple beneath her coat. It was no longer help or attentionit was brazen intrusion.
So I hatched a gentle but precise plan. The next day I took my friend Nathalie, bought the spiciest sushi in the neighborhood, and, without warning, we went to MarieClaudes.
Hi, we were nearby and thought wed drop by! We brought sushiplease try them! I said, handing her the platter with a smile.
MarieClaude turned pale. She hates sushi. Once she tasted it and ever since has called it raw rats on rice.
Have a seat, Ill see what good things you have, too, I said, strolling toward her fridge.
I pulled out couscous, a Piémontese salad, a cakeeverything landed on the table. Nathalie was already laughing.
MarieClaude, dont you mind? I brought sushi, isnt it normal to exchange treats? I added, feigning innocence.
MarieClaude stood frozen, speechless. She got the pointwhat it feels like to have someone barge into your home.
I left, thanking her for the warm welcome, promising to return soon.
Since then everything changed. She now calls before coming, her visits are rare and discreet. She even brings things we truly likeno more fish. Sometimes you dont need a fight; a little mirror is enough.