Your gifts should match your wealth, the motherinlaw snapped.
Youre richer than Sophie, so your presents ought to be up to par, she added gruffly.
I have no idea what to get Mom, Laurent said, slumping onto the sofa beside his wife.
Élodie shrugged. Picking a gift for her motherinlaw was always a headache.
Relations with Valérie Dupont had been strained almost from the start.
Laurent quickly caught on to his mothers stance, and after talking it over with Élodie, the couple decided to keep their distance.
No one owed anything to anyone; only occasional phone calls and occasional family gatherings made up their interaction.
This year Valérie had decided to celebrate her birthday and had invited most of the family, the young couple included.
Actually, Mom said shed be happy with any gift, Laurent recalled suddenly.
She always says that, then turns picky, Élodie muttered, recalling past incidents. Your sister can give her anything, but not us!
She could still picture Valéries criticism of every present theyd ever given.
Remember March8? What did we get? An expensive cosmetics set, and she broke down, accusing us of thinking she was old and unattractive, Élodie sighed. The only things she liked were gold or tech because she could gauge the price.
Maybe I should call her and ask what she wants? Laurent hesitated.
Do whatever you like, his wife replied, shaking her head.
Seeking the easy route, Laurent dialed his mothers number to find out what shed like.
My son, I need nothing. Just come, thatll be my gift, Valérie Dupont said timidly.
Are you sure, Mom? You wont be angry with us, will you? Laurent pressed.
Of course not! Id love any trinket, she laughed. Laurent decided to trust her words.
Mom said we can give her whatever we want, he told Élodie.
She looked at him skeptically; she never quite believed his motherinlaws assurances.
Nevertheless, with Laurent insisting on choosing the present himself, Élodie yielded.
I suggest we get her a robot vacuum so she wont have to lug a hose around, she proposed after checking their budget.
The couple agreed, bought a 1,000 gift for Valérie, and headed calmly to the birthday.
The celebrant greeted her son and daughterinlaw with a bright smile that turned sour the moment she saw the vacuum box.
Why? she growled, sighing. Son, put that in the bedroom.
Élodie stared at her motherinlaw, stunned by the reaction.
Soon after, Laurents sister arrived with her husband, throwing herself around their mothers neck.
Mom, this is for you!
Thank you, dear! You could not have guessed better! Valérie cried, hugging her.
Curious, Élodie wondered what had so delighted Valérie. She saw that Sophie had given their mother a modest cosmetics set worth about twenty euros.
She exchanged a puzzled look with Laurent, who had also seen his sisters gift. From his expression she read his disappointment at their mothers response to their present.
Laurent simmered for hours, but when Valérie began praising her sisters gift again, he finally erupted.
Mom, can I talk to you? he asked, pulling her aside.
Whats wrong? his wife asked, coming over. Everything okay?
Its not okay, Mom! I asked you about a gift. Do you remember your answer? he retorted.
I do
Then why this reaction to our present while you keep lauding a cheap set? Laurent said, frustrated. Dont pretend youre just imagining things.
Youre richer than Sophie, so your gifts should be fitting, Valérie snarled.
And what do we give? Junk? Should we attach a receipt to every gift to make you happy? Laurent asked, eyebrows knit.
Oh, enough, she snapped, clearly wanting to end the argument. What can I do if Sophies gift pleased me more?
Because you dont know the price of ours? Laurent replied sarcastically. Its a thousand euros!
Its that expensive? Valérie exclaimed, feigning surprise.
She quickly figured out how to escape the awkward spot.
You know why I value my sisters familys gifts more? Because they give according to their means, while you give carelessly, she declared bluntly.
Mom, are you serious? Laurent clutched his head.
Do I look like Im joking? With your income, you could have bought me a spa weekend, she said proudly.
Laurent stared at his mother, unblinking, for a few seconds.
Do you really think Élodie and I have money falling from the sky every day? he shouted suddenly.
His outburst froze his wife and sister in the doorway, stunned.
Sophie, realizing the cause of the turmoil faster than Élodie, immediately defended their mother.
Mom doesnt want your robot vacuum; she wanted a humidifier. Her one broke three days ago. If you paid any attention to her life, youd know that, her sister retorted.
I asked her about the gift! Laurent barked, grinding his teeth. Are you mocking me?! From now on, no more gifts! We try to please you and you criticize! The robot isnt enough, you want a humidifier! Sorry we disappointed you! Lets go! he shouted, turning to Élodie.
Valérie collapsed in tears while Sophie comforted her, and the couple left the house with sour faces.
Laurent kept his promise to his mother: to stop buying anything or feeling embarrassed, he resolved to avoid family events altogether, sparing himself any further stress.
A Late Night in the Town Supermarket: Irène Sat at the Checkout, Tearful and Exhausted from Fatigue, Injustice, and Isolation. The Sleepless Night Had Taken Its Toll.
