Everly, who adores her mother-in-law, jumps at the chance to support Victoria once she loses her job by providing a sizeable loan. When Everly and her husband ask for the loan to be returned a few months later, Victoria says no. She says that asking relatives for money is impolite. Everly becomes frustrated and determines that Victoria needs to be taught a lesson.
“How much do you need to get by?” Setting down two coffee cups on the living room table, I inquired.
Seated on my luxurious couch, I observed my mother-in-law’s expression disintegrate while she talked.
“I’ve given that place my all for twenty years,” she sniffed and used a torn tissue to dab away her tears. “And they just let me go for some young boy.”
My heart hurt for Victoria as her teary eyes reached mine.
I knew it was difficult to lose a career, but witnessing my mother-in-law’s anguish made it even more difficult.
In an attempt to console her, I said, “Just let us know how we can help.”
“I really hate to ask, darling, but $2,000 would cover my rent and bills for now,” she replied. “I promise I’ll pay you back as soon as I’m back on my feet.”
I extended my hand to give her a squeeze.
“Take it as accomplished, Victoria,” I added, grinning broadly. You’re family, and we support one another. Please just concentrate on getting work.”
“Yes, ma’am,” my partner concurred. “Don’t worry about it; we got you.”
We transferred the funds to Victoria’s account that evening.
I was aware that families should support one another during difficult times.
However, I never would have imagined that this debt would come back to haunt us.
Harrison and I stood staring at the broken refrigerator in the kitchen five months later.
We had to get a new one right away because the food inside was getting nasty.
I decided to contact Victoria to request the repayment, groaned, and took up the phone.
It took her a few rings before she responded.
I said, “Hey Victoria, it’s Everly,” as soon as she answered the phone. “We urgently need to replace our recently broken fridge. We wanted to know if we could get that $2,000 back.
I was surprised by Victoria’s response, since I had assumed that she would see our predicament and just return the money.
She spoke a flat “Everly, I can’t believe you’re asking me this,” “It’s shameful to demand money from one’s own mother.”
I became motionless.
“I’m sorry?” I said, obviously surprised. “Victoria, you said that once you got back on your feet, you would pay back the debt. Though it has been months, we still desperately need the funds. Please be mindful of that.”
She sneered. “Well, sweetheart, I’m your mother-in-law. For you, that makes me seem like a mother. Do you ask your mum to return money? You do not, in fact. Mothers ought to be respected and given grace.”
My blood began to boil. Given how helpful we had been to her, how could she be acting this way? Was she blind to the fact that we were genuinely in need of the money and were reaching out?
“Victoria, this isn’t about showing respect,” I responded, trying not to lose my temper. It has to do with honoring a pledge. We require the money you borrowed because we’re in a tough place.”
“Everly, I’m not paying it back,” she replied firmly. “This conversation is over.”
The line died before I could say anything further.
Harrison said, “What did she say?”
Still in disbelief, I said, “She refused.” “She said it’s shameful to ask for money from a mother-in-law, that she deserves respect and leniency.”
Harrison massaged his temples and moaned. “Absurd. How will we proceed?”
I said, “We’ll figure something out.” But I’m not going to let her off the hook for this. She must honor the vow she made.”
These days, trust and respect were more important than money.
I was going to do whatever it needed to put things right since Victoria had gone too far.
I watched Victoria brag to her friends about her lucrative work over the course of the following few weeks.
She flaunted designer purses, perfumes, cosmetics, and other luxuries. I became a little enraged every time she boasted about her new acquisition.
How could she afford to be so wasteful when she was so aware of her duty to us?
Even if gently, we would have to take matters into our own hands if she was not going to keep her word.
Harrison and I followed Victoria’s reasoning when she asked for assistance with her garden.
I apologized to Victoria in a kind manner. We’re just your kids, you know that. We’re not going to do this for you.”
Harrison added, “Yeah, we’re too busy with our own things, Mom.”
Her expression lowered, but she remained silent. It was oddly fulfilling.
Victoria requested if we could take her to the store the next weekend.
“I’m afraid we won’t be able to,” I shook my head. “We’re just too busy.”
“Yes, very busy, Mom,” Harrison said in agreement. “Besides, you have to understand your kids have their own lives.”
Victoria remained silent and looked irritated. Then she asked for help watching her dog while she left for a weekend excursion.
“Oh, we’d love to, but we already have plans,” I replied. I apologize, Victoria. I hope you get it.”
Harrison said, “Yeah, right, honey, and I totally forgot,” as he pointed at me. “Sorry, Mom, some other time.”
But Victoria was far from finished.
We were unable to refuse her invitation to supper one evening.
Her house was rather impressive. Her dining room was tastefully decorated and had furnishings made of polished wood.
She greeted us with a beaming smile of pride and showed us around her fancy new refrigerator in the kitchen!
Patting the refrigerator, she exclaimed, “Look at this beauty!” “I’ve just realized that. Isn’t that amazing?
I shot Harrison a knowing look, but neither of us said anything. We moved to the dining table, where a sumptuous spread was waiting for us.
Victoria was talking excitedly about her new job and all the benefits it offered.
With a sparkle in her eyes, she remarked, “Everly, you won’t believe the money I made last month.” “I purchased this refrigerator with that money. It’s the best available.”
I feigned a laugh. “Well done, Victoria. I could only think, “Wow, it looks incredible.”
I kept thinking about what she had said as we were eating. Her expression was so smug that it seemed like she was doing it all on purpose. She had recently purchased a new refrigerator for herself as she knew we needed one.
Afterwards, I heard Victoria discussing her work bonus with her buddy as I was heading to the kitchen. It seemed out she had purchased an upscale refrigerator with her bonus.
While Victoria was gone, I went back to the table and told Harrison everything. His hand came to rest beneath the table. It was exactly what he was thinking. She needed to learn a lesson from us.
Victoria kept gloating about her work, her purchases, and her intentions for even more expensive purchases during the dinner. Every utterance intensified my annoyance.
Harrison said to me in a whisper as we were leaving after dinner, “We need to do something about this.”
I nodded, ideas immediately rushing through my head. “We’ll have to be smart about this,” I replied. “We can’t confront her directly, but we can make her realize the impact of her actions.”
Harrison concurred. “We’ll figure it out together.”
And that moment arrived just one week later, on Harrison’s birthday. Our strategy was straightforward: make Victoria apologize for her actions by exposing her to the public.
We celebrated a little in our living room. Victoria came up, beaming broadly, and gave Harrison a beautifully wrapped box.
She cried, “Happy birthday, son!”
When he unwrapped the present, a pricey watch was seen. With real amazement, he exclaimed, “Wow, Mom, thank you!”
Victoria grinned, obviously happy with her appearance. Harrison, though, grinned sweetly and remarked, “Mom, this is really generous.” In relation to that, do you still recall the $2,000 you owe us?”
Victoria’s complexion went pale. With a mixture of humiliation and rage on her face, she muttered something nonsensical. “This-this isn’t the time or place for such discussions, Harrison,” she mumbled.
“Oh, I believe it is,” Harrison answered while keeping his composure. “We were there for you when you needed us. We simply want the things you promised because we’re in a difficult situation right now.
The visitors began to move in their seats uneasily as the room became quiet. Victoria’s loved ones and friends were waiting for her to respond as they watched closely. Her face was flushing every second, clearly ashamed. When the time came, she simply took her handbag and went!
Later that night, I noticed the $2000 had been deposited to my account when I checked my phone. To be honest, I didn’t think Victoria would take that action given her insistence on keeping the money.
I discovered a week later that I was correct.
First of all, Victoria owed us money that she had borrowed from her sister. It then transpires that she only consented to reimburse us after acquaintances and relatives who attended the celebration began to interrogate her over the loan and her hesitation to pay it back.
We informed her sister that she had given us similar assurances that the money would be returned on schedule, and we are certain that Victoria will have to pay a price this time.