**Brothers Birthday Invitation Sparks Drama with His Wife**
My brother, James, has been married for six years. Since then, neither I nor our parents have set foot in their home. Every holiday, birthday, and family gathering takes place at our parents housea spacious home on the outskirts of Manchester. My mum cooks mountains of food, sets the table, and still sends James and his wife, Emily, home with containers full of homemade shepherds pie and salads.
When James married, Emilys birthday followed just months later. My mum, full of enthusiasm, decided to plan a surprise: we bought a cake, picked out a nice gift, and prepared to visit them. My mum called Emily to let her know, but she replied coldly that she wasnt planning to celebrate. My mum, stubborn as ever, insisted:
“Well just pop in for a bit, have some tea with the cake! You dont have to prepare anything, love!”
We went anyway. But instead of a warm welcome, we were shocked: Emily stepped outside, muttering the house “was a mess,” and refused to let us in. Stunned, we handed her the cake and gift right on the doorstep and left. Since then, every family event has been at my parents house, and weve all tried to forget that awkward moment.
Once, Emily said bluntly to my parents:
“You have a big housetheres room for everyone! We live in a one-bed flatwhere are we supposed to host people?”
I could barely contain my anger. Is it really impossible to host your in-laws and sister-in-law in a small flat? Its not a crowdjust three people! But we stayed quiet to keep the peace.
Now, Emily is five months pregnant. Its my parents first grandchild, and my mum, of course, is endlessly worried. She calls James constantly to check on Emily, asking if she needs help. But recently, we found out Emily quit her job early in the pregnancy. My mum panicked:
“Is she unwell? Does she need my support?”
James reassured her: Emily is fine, she just decided to “take it easy.” We were confused. James and Emily have always lived beyond their meansdining out, holidays, expensive clothes. They dont have a mortgagethe flat was inherited from her grandmotherso they spent everything on luxuries. But without her salary, money is tight, and their lavish lifestyle is at risk. James tried explaining they needed to cut back, but she refuses to give up her comforts.
Emily confessed to my brother she left her job fearing she might “catch something at work.” The caution is understandable, but now their budget is stretched, and she still expects the same spending. And in the middle of all this, James invited us all to celebrate his birthday at their place! My parents and I were stunned. My dad even joked:
“Finally, Ill find out if my daughter-in-law can cook!”
My mum was thrilled, excited for a family evening. I decided to call Emily to confirm details, but instead of a calm chat, I got a hysterical rant. Emily, in tears, said she didnt want us there:
“Ill have to clean, cook! Im pregnantits too much!”
I tried to soothe her:
“Emily, it doesnt have to be fancy. Roast some potatoes, make a salad, pop a chicken in the ovendone. Well bring the cake. Its just dinner for five. Whats the issue?”
I even suggested ordering takeaway to make it easier, but she kept complaining about mopping the floors and tidying up. I lost patience:
“Emily, its a one-bed flat! How hard is it to clean? Do you only mop when guests come?”
In the end, I gave her an ultimatum:
“If you dont want us there, we wont come. Well call James to wish him happy birthday, and thats it.”
I told my mum, and she agreed. When James found out, he exploded:
“Emily doesnt workshes at home all day! Cant she cook one dinner and do a bit of cleaning? Youre coming, end of story! We cant afford takeaway or a cleaner, so shell have to manage!”
His words hung in the air like a dark cloud. We were all left furious. The desire to go vanished. The thought of Emilys sulking face, sighing and rolling her eyes, killed any excitement. We dont want to feel unwelcome in my own brothers home.
Yet, it hurts to think we might upset James. Hes so excited, so eager to have the family at his place for once! How can we just not show up? Its his day, and hes not to blame for his wifes tantrums. Were torn: swallow our pride and go, risking a tense evening, or refuse, knowing well break his heart. The situation feels impossible, and every move worsens the conflict. What do you do when love for a brother clashes with dislike for his wife? We dont have the answer, but the birthdays approaching, and a decision must be made.
