‘What is this?’ she cried, holding them as if they were a dead animal.
Greg’s jaw dropped to the floor. ‘What the hell, Lauren? Where’s the microwave?’
I sipped my coffee, sitting in my chair, and it didn’t bother me. ‘Oh, I decided to sell it and spend the money on something more practical.’
Greg blushed and stood up. ‘You embarrassed me in front of my mum! What were you thinking?’
I stood up too and looked him straight in the eye. ” I was thinking about how I walk around with frozen fingers while you play Santa to someone who doesn’t even need a new microwave.‘ I turned to Sharon, who was still clutching the boots as if they might attack her. ’Maybe you should try walking a mile in my shoes? Literally.”
Sharon hissed. ‘I don’t know what trick you’re playing, Lauren, but it’s completely inappropriate. This is a gift from my son.’
‘Well, your son puts your whims above his wife’s safety,’ I replied, crossing my arms.
After my statement, the room fell silent. Greg and I locked eyes, neither of us backing down. However, I could see from his face that he was furious.
Soon Sharon left, muttering a weak apology and saying she would see us in the evening. When the door closed, my husband, huffing and puffing, also left our house.
I sighed, feeling my hands tremble. It was rude and ugly. I also felt a little guilty for ruining their Christmas gift exchange, but it had to be done.
And I never sold her microwave. I just hid it under the kitchen sink. I planned to bring it to the meeting later. I just didn’t know how happy they would be to see me.
Imagine my shock when I arrived at Sharon’s with the children and saw Greg sitting on her sofa looking guilty. I knew immediately that word of the boot incident had spread when Greg’s sister Doreen rushed over to hug me.
‘Good girl!’ she whispered in my ear. ‘I couldn’t believe it when Mum told me about it, but I gave her a piece of my mind, and then him, especially when he came here alone.’
I hugged her back. ‘Does the rest of the family know?’
She pulled away and smiled radiantly. ‘Mum took my words to heart and told everyone as soon as they arrived. They all told my brother exactly what they thought. I’ve never laughed so hard in my life!’ she added.
I giggled nervously and greeted everyone cheerfully.
The rest of dinner went wonderfully, but Greg was quiet and avoided my gaze. Especially when his uncle made a joke about the shoes that had the whole table giggling.
At the end of the evening, I gave Sharon her real present from Greg. She hugged me and apologised on behalf of her son. She hoped I wouldn’t hold the incident against her because she was working on her materialistic tendencies.
I forgave her, and she sent me and the children home with most of the delicious leftovers.
Greg avoided me and drove home by himself. I was disappointed that he hadn’t learned his lesson as quickly as his mother had.
A few days later, I sold some unused items online and combined that money with the money I had received from the Christmas cards. The next day, I went to the shop and bought myself a pair of beautiful warm winter boots. They should last me at least three years.
When I returned home a few hours later, Greg was standing in the middle of the living room. His face darkened when he saw my new boots.
‘Where did you get the money for those?’
I smiled and took off my boots, deliberately taking my time. ‘Oh, I decide how to spend MY money. Do you have a problem with that?’
Greg’s face contorted before he sighed. ‘Yes… well, no. It’s just…’ he stammered.
He bent down and pulled a gift box from under the tree. It hadn’t been there in the morning. ‘I went and bought this,’ he shrugged. ‘It took me a while, and my pride got in the way, but I was wrong, baby. Can you forgive me?’
My husband held out the gift box to me, and I took it, trying to hide my excitement. I knew what was inside: a pair of new winter boots that were much more expensive than the ones I had bought.
I giggled and hugged Greg. Yes, I forgave him. And I think that winter I fell in love with him even more. Because he started treating me the same way he did when we first fell in love.
Still, I insisted on opening my own bank account and starting a side business from home so I could earn my own money. I wasn’t going to stop being a mum or a housewife, but a little more independence was just what the doctor ordered.
And my husband supported me. That’s all I wanted!