Exhausted by motherhood at forty, Clem could only bring a store-bought pie to her mother-in-law Brenda’s ‘perfect’ Thanksgiving dinner. Brenda was far from thrilled – she humiliated Clem in front of her guests and kicked her out. But when Clem’s husband, James, came home unexpectedly, karma took its course. What started out as a Thanksgiving disaster turned out to be payback for Brenda – and the unexpected beginning of stronger family bonds.
Motherhood at forty is no joke.
People like to romanticise the “glowing joy” of late motherhood, but the reality is…..
My ‘glow’ consisted mostly of sweat induced attempts to survive on three hours of sleep and caffeine that I barely had time to finish. Midnight cries, endless nappy changes, trying to keep the baby from hurting himself – I had completely lost my sense of time.
I hadn’t felt like myself in weeks.
So when Thanksgiving came around, I had no energy or desire to live up to the Martha Stewart standards of my mother-in-law Brenda.
For Brenda, Thanksgiving isn’t just a dinner. It’s an entire performance. She’s the kind of person who spends hours setting the table, demands elaborate dishes from everyone, and still manages to remain a ‘graceful’ hostess.
Usually I’d try to do my part: bake pies, casseroles, cheesecakes – you name it. But this year?
This year I just bought a pumpkin pie on the way to her house and considered it a win.
I knew she wouldn’t like it. But to be honest, I didn’t care. After a year of IVF, a difficult pregnancy, and a baby that had sucked me dry. Brenda will get over it.
Right?
I walked into the house holding the baby in a sling, slinging my nappy bag over my shoulder and balancing a cake in my hand. I felt like a circus acrobat.
Brenda opened the door, her strained smile quickly faded when she saw the pie in my hands.
Clem, what is this? – She asked, curtly.
Pumpkin pie, Brenda,” I said in a cheerful tone. – I got it at the bakery. Didn’t have time to bake anything myself…..
She sighed dramatically.
You couldn’t even make a simple dessert, Clem? Everyone else did, even though they all have jobs and kids.
I swallowed, trying to explain how hard it had been on my own while James was away on business. Plus, everyone else has older kids – my baby, Eve, is only four months old.
The last few weeks have been… chaotic, Brenda. The night feedings, the constant fatigue… I just haven’t had the energy.
She raised her hand, silencing me.
It’s laziness, Clementine,” she said loudly so everyone could hear. – You’re a mother now. You have to learn how to handle your responsibilities. James deserves better than that. Honestly, this baby deserves better.
My cheeks flared with rage and humiliation. Where is that caring grandmother who saw no one but her grandson? Where was that mother-in-law who was supposed to support me?
There was silence in the room. No one intervened. No one even offered to hold Eve.
And that’s when Brenda struck the final blow.
Maybe you should go home and think about your priorities, Clem. James isn’t here anyway.
She kicked me out. Over pie.
What’s wrong with that woman?
Eve immediately screamed, as if sensing my pain. With trembling hands, I adjusted the sling and started to pack. I told myself I didn’t need that approval.
But the tears came.
Just then, the door opened.
On the doorstep stood James with his suitcase and his dad Frank holding a bag of groceries.
Couldn’t miss Thanksgiving with my favourite girls,” James smiled. – Especially Eve’s first holiday.
He looked up at me…and finally saw me.
What’s wrong? – He frowned, shifting his gaze from my tear-stained face to Brenda’s.
Brenda straightened up, clearly confused.
Your wife brought the pie I bought,” she began, her voice shaking with indignation. – It’s disrespectful.
Frank chuckled quietly.
Disrespectful? Brenda, half of those dishes were ordered because you didn’t know what to make for vegetarian Sarah.
Brenda blushed.
This is… different,” she mumbled.
“No, it’s not different,” James said firmly. – ‘You kicked my wife out because of a pie? She’s been coping all this time on her own while I’ve been away, and this is how you treat her? It’s not just disrespectful. It’s disgraceful.
Brenda opened her mouth, but for the first time she had no words.
Finally, she mumbled:
I’m sorry.
I looked at James. He squeezed my hand.
Let me feed Eve upstairs and leave,” I said.
Stay,” he whispered. – For me, please.
And I stayed.
Dinner passed in awkward silence. Brenda was avoiding me, Sarah was sneaking me juice, and Frank was trying desperately to change the subject. James carefully set my food down, and for the first time in a long time, I felt noticed.
Later, when everyone had dispersed, Brenda came up to me.
I’m sorry about what I said,” she said hesitantly. – I was stressed out and I took it out on you.
I nodded, accepting the apology more for James’ sake than for my own.
But a few days later, Frank came to visit me out of the blue. Then Brenda joined in.
She brought coffee and a box of biscuits.
I bet you need a break,” she said as she walked into the house. – Taking care of Eve was my grandmother’s responsibility now.
From that day on, she came every week.
Karma has not only humbled Brenda, but it has brought us closer. Now every time I see a store-bought pie, I just smile.
What would you do?
