You had forgotten to invite us to the party
Roxane loved her husband deeply. She felt incredibly lucky to have him. Vincent was a caring, affectionate man, always ready to do his best for his beloved.
With his family, however, Roxanes luck dwindled. People often say theres a black sheep in every clan, but in Vincents household it seemed the opposite. Vincent appeared to be the only normal one, while the rest were oddballs.
Take his fatherinlaw, for instance: every time he saw Roxane he remarked that she had put on weight and might be hiding someone in her belly.
In reality Roxane was in perfect shape and hadnt gained a gram since meeting her husbands parents. Yet this never seemed to bother PierreAlain. The comment was just part of his usual chatter, and even if Roxane had shed ten kilos, he would have pointed it out.
He also had a habit of making tactless jokes that left Roxane uncomfortable. She always felt extremely embarrassed around him, and his tendency to wander around the house shirtless didnt help.
Vincents mother, IsabelleAndrée, loved to lecture everyone, even on subjects she barely understood.
She instructed Roxane on fashionable dressing, hair styles, and which lipstick to pick. When Roxane and Vincent moved into their new flat, IsabelleAndrée unleashed a flood of criticism, poking her nose into every corner and explaining how everything should have been arranged.
Then there was Vincents younger sister, a carefree woman with two children fathered by different men. She had never maintained a serious relationship with Nathalie. She dragged her kids everywhere and, as a mother, expected everyone to bend over backward for her. She claimed the best seats on public transport, cut ahead in lines, and demanded to be served first.
Although she received child support from the boys fathers, got benefits, and lived off her parents, Nathalie was constantly on the hunt for freebies. Even things she didnt need she would snatch up, feeling a rush at the instant of acquisition. Consequently the apartment was piled with packs of diapers the children no longer usedthings Roxane hoped to sellplus heaps of unnecessary clothing and toys. Roughly half of the items were superfluous, yet she claimed she was building a business: take for free, pretend to be poor, then resell.
Her kids were badly behaved and brazen, but with such a mother they could not be any different. Whenever she visited someones home, they immediately started looking for tasty treats, grabbed anything within reach, and took other peoples belongings without asking. Nathalie never put them in their place.
Roxane could barely recall the one time Vincents sister showed up with her children for the housewarming. They brought a teaservice that clearly had been scavenged for free, and after they left there were no treats, a newly bought vase was shattered, and chocolate stains on the curtainsat least Roxane was convinced it was chocolate.
Thus, as her birthday approached, Roxane decided not to invite her husbands family. Otherwise the celebration would have been ruined. Her fatherinlaw would have made inappropriate remarks, her motherinlaw would have tried to teach her, and Nathalie would have begged for useless items while her kids trashed the flat.
Roxane felt a little uneasy about the decision with Vincent, but she hoped he would understand.
Vincent, Id like to celebrate my birthday at home. Ill invite my parents and a few friends.
Okay, Im fine with that. After all, we didnt decorate the apartment for nothing, right? he smiled.
Yes, exactly. It now looks like a photoshoot studio. But
What? he asked, worried.
Please dont be upset, but I dont want to invite your parents.
Vincent sighed deeply and nodded.
Sorry, but its really hard for me with them. For my birthday I just want to relax instead of being on guard all the time, she said apologetically.
I get it, no need to justify. Theyre not easy to live with.
Youre not angry?
No, not at all. Its your party; it should be exactly how you want it.
Roxane once again convinced herself that her husband was the most wonderful man on earth. She kept thinking maybe he was adoptedthat would explain everything.
She hadnt told her inlaws about the birthday, saying theyd be left out this time, and she even asked Vincent not to mention anything to them.
Nevertheless they found out. Her motherinlaw called Roxanes mother under the pretext of a professional matter and spoke too quickly.
Look how our daughter treats us! IsabelleAndrée shouted. Were not even welcome, huh?!
Mom, Vincent tried to calm her, Roxane just wanted to celebrate with her parents and a few close friends. Its her birthday, she decides. If there had been a big feast, you would have been invited.
Fine, I understand. Tell your wife were terribly offended!
Roxanes mother hung up, leaving Vincent shaking his head. He completely understood Roxane. Hed always been embarrassed by his relatives and didnt want her to feel the same discomfort.
So he chose to stay silent and not spoil the party. Hed tell her what his mother said after the birthday.
On the morning of her twentysixth birthday, Vincent gave Roxane a bouquet and a spa voucher. He knew she was exhausted that yearfirst the wedding, then the renovation, the move, and her workload. She truly needed a break.
Guests began arriving in the afternoon. Roxane had gone allout: a delicious meal, a carefully chosen outfit, a flawless hairstyle. She looked happy and expected the day to create lasting memories.
She had no idea what was about to happen.
When everyone was settled, the door rang.
It must be the cake, Roxane exclaimed, I completely forgotI ordered it at the last minute.
She opened the door with a smile, only to be met by an unwanted crowd.
Happy birthday, Roxane! her motherinlaw announced, handing her a rose. May we come in?
Roxane had no choice but to step aside.
Noise erupted instantly. Nathalies children kicked off their shoes and rushed to the table. The fatherinlaw commented that Roxane had chosen the wrong size dress.
You should have taken a size larger, he laughed.
Maybe youre just not on the guest list, the motherinlaw continued, I see you have guests, but apparently no room for us. My God, Roxane! You invite people but forget to clean the floor.
She meant to say the kids had made the mess, but held back.
Her mood soured. The children began shouting, grabbing food with both hands, and rummaging through cupboards for candy. The youngest started crying because there was no cake.
You could have bought a cake, look, Sébastien is disappointed! Nathalie scolded. And whats this? You gave us perfume? Let me try it. Youll give me yours later.
Roxane stayed silent. Vincent watched his family settle around the table, ask for plates, hear his mother critique the meal, and see his father make odd jokes.
Vincents patience finally snapped when Nathalie slipped an envelope stuffed with cash from the buffet, thinking no one saw.
Put that back! Vincent barked.
What are you talking about? she blinked innocently.
I saw everything!
I just wanted to add some money; I didnt have time to get an envelope, she apologized.
Vincent, dont pick a fight with Nathalie, dont ruin the evening, his mother chided. Remind your wife its rude to forget to invite your family.
And tell her the right dress size, the fatherinlaw sneered, because, Roxane, all your curves are on full display in that dress.
Enough! Vincent slammed the table so hard the children fell silent. Mom, dad, Nathalie, its time to leave.
What?! his mother protested. How dare you?
How dare you come without an invitation? How dare you insult my wife? How dare your children behave so impudently? Until you learn proper manners, you have no business here.
A scandal erupted. Roxane finally exhaled a sigh of relief once the unwelcome guests were gone.
Unfortunately, her birthday was ruined. Even the friends and family who tried to cheer her up couldnt restore the earlier atmosphere.
But there was a lesson: Roxane realized once more she had chosen the right life partner. A man who would stand up for her, even against his own relatives. No matter what, she knew he would always be by her sideperhaps the best gift she could ever receive.
