My Overbearing Mother-in-Law Turned Up Uninvited for My “Welcome Home” Gathering

My meddling motherinlaw seemed to feel at home in our house, turning up constantly until I finally gave her a taste of her own medicine.
Sometimes the enemy in the home 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, with such persistence that even the mailman visited less often than she did.
I was sorting the pantry when the doorbell rang. I opened it. Of course, it was MarieClaude, my motherinlaw.
Élodie, hello! Ive made some fish meatballsfresh from the sea! she announced, thrusting a plastic container toward me.
I sighed. My husband and I have hated fish since childhood. I was fed fish from the crib, and he, the son of a fisherman, ate so much that he might as well have sprouted gills. Wed talked about it many times. Yet MarieClaude acted as if nothing was wrong.
MarieClaude, we dont eat fish you know that, I said.
But you cant just throw it away! Keep it; someone will appreciate it! she protested.
It wasnt just the cursed meatballs. She began appearing more and more, unannounced, without even knocking, strolling in as if it were her own home and launching her inspections:
Oh, whats this cheese? Ive never tried it, Ill take a bite. And some salami toogo buy more later. By the way, I brought fishsharing is caring!
Each visit her appetite grew. One day she showed up with a friend, completely uninvited.
We were at the pharmacy and wanted to warm up a bit. Could you get us coffee? she asked.
While I stood frozen at the doorway, she was already rummaging through the fridge, pulling out jam, cheese, biscuits, while her friend settled comfortably at the table.
I felt like a stranger in my own home. My husband raised his hands in defenseIts Mom, shes being nice. Nice? I had seen her hide our pineapple under her coat. This was no longer help or concernit was brazen intrusion.
So I devised a gentle but precise plan. The next day I took my friend Nathalie, we bought the spiciest sushi in the neighborhood, and without warning we walked to MarieClaudes place.
Good day, we were nearby and thought wed drop by! We brought sushiplease try, I said, pushing the platter into her hands with a smile.
MarieClaude turned pale. She hates sushi. She once tried it and since then calls it raw rats on rice.
Take a seat, Ill see what good things you have, too, I added, heading toward her fridge.
I laid out couscous, a Piémontaise salad, a cakeeverything ended up on the table. Nathalie was already laughing.
MarieClaude, isnt it odd that we bring you sushi and you bring us fish? Its only fair to exchange, right? I said, feigning innocence.
She stood frozen, speechless. She finally understood what it felt like to have someone impose themselves in her home.
I left, thanking her for the warm welcome and promising to return soon.
Since then things have changed. She now calls before visiting, her appearances are rare and discreet. She even brings things we actually likeno more fish. Sometimes you dont need a big argument; a mirror is enough.