You forgot to invite us to the party
Roxane loved her husband deeply. She felt enormously 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. Theres an old saying that every family has a black sheep. In Vincents case it was the opposite: he seemed to be the only normal one, while the rest were odd.
Take the fatherinlaw, for instance. Whenever he saw Roxane he would comment that she had put on a few pounds and might be hiding a baby inside her.
In truth, Roxane was in perfect shape and hadnt gained a gram since meeting her husbands parents. Yet PierreAlain didnt seem bothered at all. That remark was just part of his usual chatter, and even if Roxane had lost ten kilos he would never let her forget it.
He also had a habit of making insensitive jokes that made Roxane uncomfortable. She always felt extremely embarrassed around him, and his tendency to stroll around the house shirtless didnt help.
The motherinlaw, IsabelleAndrée, loved to lecture everyone, even on subjects she barely understood.
She tried to teach Roxane how to dress fashionably, which haircut to choose, which lipstick to wear. When Roxane and Vincent moved into their new flat, IsabelleAndrée let her critiques run wild, poking her nose into every corner and explaining how everything should have been arranged correctly.
Then there was Vincents younger sister, a carefree woman with two children by different fathers, a relationship Nathalie had never taken seriously. She dragged her kids everywhere and, as a mother, expected everyone to bend over backwards for her. She had to be given a seat on public transport, let to go ahead in queues, served before anyone else.
Although she received child support from the boys fathers, got benefits, and lived off her parents, Nathalie was always hunting for freebies. Even things she didnt need she would snatch up, feeling a strange thrill at acquiring them instantly. Thats why the apartment was filled with boxes of diapers the children no longer used, which Roxane hoped to sell; piles of useless clothes, toys. Roughly half of those items were superfluous for her, but she claimed to be building a business: collect for free, pretend to be poor and needy, then resell.
Her children were badly behaved and rude, but given such a mother they could not be otherwise. Whenever they visited someone, they immediately searched for tasty treats, grabbed everything within reach, took other peoples belongings without asking. Nathalie never put them in their place.
Roxane could still recall, with revulsion, the only time Vincents sister had come over with her children for a housewarming. She offered a tea service that was clearly a free find, and after they left there were no sweets left, a recent vase was broken, and chocolate stains on the curtainsat least Roxane convinced herself it was chocolate.
So it wasnt surprising that, as her birthday approached, Roxane decided not to invite her husbands family. Otherwise the celebration would inevitably be ruined. Her fatherinlaw would make inappropriate comments, her motherinlaw would try to lecture her, and Nathalie would beg for useless items for her kids while they tossed the flat of Roxane and Vincent into chaos.
Roxane felt a little uneasy about the decision toward her husband, but she truly hoped he would understand.
Vincent, Id like to celebrate my birthday at home. Ill invite my parents and a few friends.
Alright, Im fine with that. After all, we didnt decorate the apartment for nothing, did we? he smiled.
Yes, exactly. It now looks like a studio for photo shoots. But
What? he asked, worried.
Please dont be upset, but I dont want to invite your parents.
Vincent sighed deeply and nodded.
Im sorry, but its really hard for me with them. For my birthday Id rather relax than constantly be on guard, Roxane said apologetically.
I completely understand, no need to justify. Theyre difficult 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 he must have been adoptedeverything would make sense then.
She hadnt told her inlaws about the birthday, saying they would be left out this time, and even asked Vincent not to mention anything to them.
Nevertheless, they eventually found out. Her motherinlaw called Roxanes mother under the pretext of a professional matter and spoke too quickly.
See how our daughter treats us! IsabelleAndrée shouted. Were not even welcome, is that it?!
Mom, Vincent tried to calm her, Roxane just wanted to celebrate with her parents and a few close friends. Its her birthday, she gets to decide. If there had been a big banquet, you would have been invited, of course.
Fine, I understand. And tell your wife were terribly offended!
Her mother hung up, leaving Vincent shaking his head. He understood Roxane perfectly. It might not have been polite to admit it, but he had always been embarrassed by his relatives and didnt want Roxane to feel the same discomfort.
He decided to keep quiet so the party wouldnt be spoiled. He would tell her what his mother had said after the celebration.
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 renovation work, the move, and the extra workload. She truly needed a break.
Guests started arriving in the afternoon. Roxane had gone all out: a delicious meal, a carefully chosen outfit, a flawless hairstyle. She looked happy and hoped the day would 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 forgot, I ordered it at the last minute.
She opened the door with a smile, only to find an unwanted crowd standing there.
Happy birthday, Roxane! her motherinlaw said, handing over a rose. Will you let us in?
Roxane had no choice but to step aside.
Chaos erupted instantly. Nathalies children ripped off their shoes and rushed to the table. The fatherinlaw announced that Roxane had chosen the wrong size for her dress.
You should have taken a size up, he laughed.
Maybe you werent on the guest list, the motherinlaw added, I see you have guests, but obviously no room for us. My God, Roxane! You invite people but forget to clean the floors.
She meant to say the grandchildren had made the mess, but held back.
Her mood dropped. The kids immediately began shouting, grabbing food with both hands, rummaging through cabinets for candy. The youngest started crying because there was no cake.
You could have bought a cake, look, Sébastien is disappointed! Nathalie scolded. Whats this, a perfume you gave me? Let me try it. Then youll give me yours.
Roxane stayed silent. Vincent watched his family take over the table, asking for plates, listening to his mother criticize the food while his father made odd jokes.
Vincents patience snapped when Nathalie slipped an envelope stuffed with cash from the buffet, thinking no one saw. It contained monetary gifts.
Put that back where it belongs! 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 scolded him. Remind your wife that its rude to forget to invite your family.
And tell her the right dress size, too, the fatherinlaw joked, because, Roxane, all your curves are on display in that dress.
Thats enough! Vincent slammed the table so hard even the children fell silent. Mom, dad, Nathalie, its time to leave.
What?! his mother protested. How dare you?
How dare you show up without an invitation? How dare you insult my wife? How dare your children behave so impolitely? Until you learn to behave properly, you have no place here.
A scandal broke out. Roxane finally breathed a sigh of relief when the unwanted guests finally left.
Unfortunately, her birthday was ruined. Even though friends and family tried to cheer her up, it was hard to recapture the earlier atmosphere.
But there was a lesson: Roxane realized once more that she had chosen the right life partnera man ready to defend her, even against his own family. Whatever happened, she knew he would always stand by her side. That was probably the best gift she could ever receive.
You Forgot to Invite Us to the Party!
