Your wealth should be reflected in the presents you give, the motherinlaw retorted.
Youre richer than Sophie, so your gifts ought to match that, she grumbled.
I have no idea what to get Mom, Laurent said pensively, collapsing onto the sofa beside his wife.
Elodie merely shrugged. Picking a gift for her motherinlaw was always a vexing task.
Relations with Valérie Dupont had been strained almost from the start.
Laurent quickly grasped his motherinlaws stance; after a brief discussion with Elodie, the couple resolved to keep their distance.
No one owed anything to anyone. Their interaction boiled down to occasional phone calls and, if the mood struck, sparse family gatherings.
That year Valérie decided to celebrate her birthday and invited most of the family, the young couple included.
Actually, Mom said shed be happy with any gift, Laurent suddenly recalled.
She always says that, then turns picky, Elodie muttered, recalling past incidents. Your sister can give her anything, but not us!
She remembered perfectly the criticism Valérie had levelled at each of their presents.
Remember March8? What did we give? An extravagant cosmetics set. How did she react? She burst into tears and blamed us for making her feel old and unattractive, Elodie sighed. The only things she likes are gold or techshe can actually appraise the price.
Maybe I should call her and ask what she wants? Laurent hesitated.
Do as you wish, his wife replied, shaking her head.
Seeking the easy route, Laurent dialed his motherinlaw to find out her wish.
My son, I need nothing. Just coming is my gift, Valérie Dupont answered shyly.
Are you sure, Mom? You wont be upset? Laurent pressed.
Of course not! Id be delighted with any trinket, she laughed. Laurent decided to trust her words.
Mom said we could give her whatever we like, he told Elodie.
Elodie looked at him skeptically; she didnt fully trust Valéries promises.
Nevertheless, with Laurent insisting on picking the present himself, Elodie relented.
How about a robotic vacuum? Then she wont have to haul a hose around, Elodie suggested after reviewing their budget.
The pair agreed, bought a 1,000 gift for Valérie, and headed calmly to the birthday.
When Valérie greeted her son and daughterinlaw, her smile soon soured upon seeing the box containing the vacuum.
Why this? she grumbled, sighing. Son, put it in the bedroom.
Elodie stared at her motherinlaw, stunned by the reaction.
Shortly after, Laurents sister arrived with her husband, throwing herself around their mothers neck.
Mom, this is for you!
Thank you, darling! How could you have guessed better? Valérie exclaimed, hugging her.
Curious, Elodie wondered what gift had delighted Valérie so much.
She looked and saw that Sophie had given their mother a modest cosmetics set worth about twenty euros.
She exchanged a puzzled glance with Laurent, who had also noticed his sisters offering.
From Laurents expression, she understood his deep disappointment at their mothers response to their present.
For hours Laurent held back his anger, but when Valérie began praising her sisters gift again, he finally snapped.
Mom, can I talk to you? Laurent asked, pulling her aside.
Whats wrong? his wife asked, moving toward her son. Something the matter?
Its not right, 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, exasperated. Dont pretend Im imagining things.
Im not lying. Youre richer than Sophie, so your gifts should be comparable, Valérie snapped.
And what do you think were giving? Junk? Should we attach a receipt to each present to make you happy? Laurent asked, brows furrowed.
Oh, thats enough, she said, clearly eager to end the debate. What can I do if Sophies gift pleased me more?
So you dont know the price of ours? Laurent replied sarcastically. If you want to know, its 1,000!
That much? Valérie exclaimed, feigning surprise.
She quickly found a way out of the awkward spot.
You know why I value my sisters familys gifts more? Because they give within their means, whereas you give halfheartedly, she declared abruptly.
Mom, are you serious? Laurent clutched his head.
Do I sound like Im joking? With your income, you could have bought me a spa weekend, she said, straightening proudly.
Laurent, stunned, stared at her unblinking for a few seconds.
Do you really think Elodie and I have money falling from the sky every day? he shouted suddenly.
His outburst caught his wife and sister off guard, frozen in the doorway.
Sophie quickly grasped the cause of the turmoil and defended their mother.
Mom doesnt want your robot vacuum; she wanted a humidifier. Hers broke three days ago. If you paid any attention to her life, youd know that, her sister replied.
I asked her about the gift! Laurent barked, clenching his teeth. Are you mocking me? From now on, no more gifts! We try to please you, and you criticize us! The robot isnt enough, you want a humidifier! Sorry we disappointed you! Lets go! he shouted, turning to Elodie.
Valérie collapsed in tears while Sophie comforted her, and the couple left the house with stern faces.
Laurent kept the promise he made to his mother: to stop buying anything and feeling embarrassed, he decided to avoid family events altogether, eliminating the source of his stress.
A Late Evening at the Town Supermarket: Irene Sat at the Checkout, Tears in Her Eyes, Exhausted by Fatigue, Injustice, and Isolation, Blame It on the Sleepless Night.
