Expectant and hoping to make amends with her mother-in-law prior to the baby’s arrival, Piper finds Margaret, the mother of her son, performing a strange ritual in the middle of the bed. What’s going on, and does Piper need to worry?
One day, I came home early and saw, very unexpectedly, a startling situation involving my mother-in-law in my new bedroom.
My spouse, Max, and I had just moved to a new home when Max received an unexpected business call. Margaret offered to help move into our new house, and she’s never hidden her dislike for me. In light of my pregnancy, I saw it as a reconciling gesture.
Max said, “Maybe things will get better,” and left. “Maybe this is how Mom will get to know you.”
Margaret, however, had other ideas.
She had a legendary relationship with Max’s ex-wife Lily. Lily and Max ended their relationship peacefully; she decided to travel the world rather than settle down, which conflicted with Max’s desire to have kids.
But Margaret loved Lily, thought she was the perfect fit for Max, that she had the dignity and grace that she felt fit our family’s history – opinions she expressed at one of our lunches.
Margaret detested me not just out of personal contempt but also because she firmly believed that I would never be able to replace Lily.
I was suffering from morning sickness on that important day, so my employer suggested that I leave work early.
He pleaded with Piper, “Go home and rest.” “Work will take a break.”
I noticed the strange silence as soon as I walked inside; Margaret usually listened to mellow music by herself.
Looking over every area, I grew more nervous as I walked toward our bedroom and heard lonely whispers.
What in the world is going on? I pondered.
As I pushed the door open, I saw something that would never leave me:
Margaret mumbled something that sounded like a combination of prayer and curse while sitting cross-legged in the middle of the bed, surrounded by candles, strewn pictures of Max with Lily, holding a ring, and Max’s childhood blanket.
“What are you doing?” The moment the baby kicked in my belly, I gasped in disbelief.
Margaret quickly went from being shocked to being defensive.
“Piper, I’m making things right,” she angrily said.
“Assembling? Through what means? I asked. “Some kind of bed ritual?”
“It’s not a ritual,” she shot back, coldly. It’s fortunate. a purification. Max made a mistake picking you after Lily departed. I’m trying to call her back from her travels throughout the world. My son and Lily both committed mistakes, and I have to make amends.”
“Margaret,” I said as I experienced the recognizable wave of morning sickness.
“Go from my residence. Right now!” Drawing power from an unidentified source, I gave the command.
She hesitated for a moment before starting to grab her stuff. She put out the candles, picked up the ring and blanket, and left, murmuring to herself about ungrateful daughters-in-law.
Eager to show Max what his mother had been up to, I took pictures of the scene.
Knowing that Max would be gone for a week, I made the guest bedroom my haven and refused to sleep in the main bedroom after that.
When he came back, I showed him the proof, the pictures saying it all. His eyes showed confusion and hurt.
“I realized she had trouble accepting you,” he said. “However, I never thought she would go this far.”
We decided to tackle the problem head-on for the benefit of our infant. He had a passionate and tearful conversation with his mother.
She sobbed and admitted that she found it difficult to let go of the past.
She said, “I loved Lily like a daughter.”
Max pleaded with his mom to go to counseling, telling her it was the only way to get back into our life.
“You have to comply, Mom, if you want to see the baby and be a part of his life.”
It required time and commitment, so it wasn’t an easy fix. Margaret gradually started to transform. She arranged a baby shower for us in an attempt to genuinely become a part of our lives. She was there, holding our boy close, her eyes welling with tears.
Despite everything, Max had faith in his mother’s ability to change, which helped me on my path to forgiveness.
Max doesn’t know this, but I watch over her when she tends to the infant. Even if it seems like her dreams of a life with Lily are over, I’m not prepared to lower my guard just yet.
Not quite yet.
In my situation, how would you have responded?