Avery, my husband’s best female friend, has been giving us lots of tips since we told her I was pregnant. It was her refusal to let anyone else host the baby shower that made it happen. I was sick of Avery’s controlling behavior, so I thought of a way to teach her a lesson she would never forget.
His best friend is a woman named Avery. Scott is a food safety tester and Avery is a nutritionist. They met at work and hit it off because they both work in health care.
We got along well at first too.
We became friends quickly after becoming acquainted through music and our jobs. Everything was fine until I told everyone I was pregnant.
They were one of the first people to text Scott after Scott and I shared the news on social media. Happy for you! She wrote, “You two are going to be great parents!”
It looked like it was real. Then help that wasn’t asked for started coming in thick and fast. Scott would get texts from her every day telling him to change his diet and buy baby goods that we “had to.” It was too much to handle.
Scott gave me his phone one night and said, “Jean, look at this.” She sent us yet another list of things we need to buy. She says that everything should be healthy.
I took a quick look at the phone as my anger built up. “Scott, she’s going too far.” She doesn’t need to tell us how to get ready for our baby.
He sighed. “I understand, but she only wants to help.” “Should I say something?”
I told him, putting down his phone, “Just ignore it.” “We are having the baby, not she.”
It didn’t seem to help to ignore Avery, though. Her texts got longer and more critical. It felt like she was thinking about every choice I made.
In public, Avery would leave positive comments on my social media posts, but behind closed doors, she gave Scott a lot of advice.
She would text him, “Jean shouldn’t be eating that,” if I shared a picture of my lunch. “She needs more folate.”
One afternoon, Scott showed me a really annoying message from her: “Jean should never drink caffeine.” The child will be hurt.
“Is this real?” Scott asked, and his voice was getting angrier. “I have no idea what’s wrong with her!”
“I can’t stand how much she bothers me,” I told her. “Things are getting crazy.”
Over the next few weeks, I worked with my mom and sister to plan my baby shower. It was going to be a small get-together with family and close friends. I got a text from Avery one night as I was finishing up the guest list.
“Hey Jean!” I’d love to throw your baby party. I have a lot of great ideas!” She wrote.
I took a big breath and typed a nice answer. “Thanks, Avery, but my mom and sister are already taking care of it.” Thanks for the offer!”
Someone knocked on the door the next day. When I opened it, Avery was standing there with a full meal and lots of decorations in her arms.
“Wow! She pushed past me to get into the house and said, “I brought everything we need for the baby shower!”
I told Avery, “My mom and sister are taking care of it.” I tried to keep my voice calm.
“But I have everything planned!” She said in a condescending way, “It will be perfect!” “Believe me, I truly understand what is best for you and the child.”
She began setting up the decorations on my dining table while making a list of everything she had ready. “A gluten-free and sugar-free cake is on its way, and I found the cutest eco-friendly party favors.” I even have music on my playlist that will calm the baby down!”
She was so rude and pushy that I was shocked as I stood there. “Avery, thanks for your help, but my mom and sister really want to take care of this.”
She looked Jean in the eyes and said, “You have to understand. I just want everything to be okay for you.” “You deserve the best.”
That was the last blow. I knew right then that Avery needed to be brought back to reality. I showed that I agreed with her plan by smiling and nodding as she talked about her ideas for the party.
But I already had in mind that I was going to have my mom and sister’s party somewhere else.
When the day of the shower finally came, I was so excited I could hardly hold it together. On the other hand, I was slowly getting excited about how my plan would work out.
I have to say that Avery did a great job decorating our place. I could see her hard at work thanks to a phone app that was tied to our home cams.
She had gone all out with pastel streamers, pretty flower arrangements, and a sugar-free, gluten-free cake in the middle of the room that was happily displayed. But it didn’t matter.
No one came. The only sound in the room was the soft hum of Avery’s carefully chosen music.
At the same time, we were in a cozy little café where people were laughing and feeling welcome. My sister and mom had done even better. People I cared about were there to share our happiness and send their love and best wishes.
It was the first thing I did. I put a Polaroid picture of all of us in a box with one cupcake and sent it off with a delivery person.
At a certain time, I said I had to go to the bathroom, but what I really wanted to do was watch Avery get the special delivery I had set up.
I saw the delivery person walk in with a small box and a note through the app. When Avery opened it, the cupcake and picture of all of us at the party were inside. The note was short and sweet: “We know you’re enjoying your food choices, we just wanted to let you know.”
It got red on Avery’s face. I was almost able to hear her angry scream.
Not long after that, my phone rang with a call from her. I didn’t pay attention to it because I wanted to enjoy the party some more.
The next day, Scott and I were cleaning up when the doorbell rang. When I opened it, Avery was standing there with a furious look on her face.
She yelled, “How could you do this to me?” and stormed into the house without being asked. “I worked hard on that shower, and you just… gave up on it!”
I took a deep breath and got ready to be firm.
“Avery, you did something wrong.” We were supposed to be enjoying our baby, not you being in charge of every detail. We understand why you want to help, but please respect our space. That means no more text messages giving us advice.
Avery’s face was stunned. She asked Scott, “Did you tell her about all the messages?”
Scott said, “Of course I did.” “Why would I lie to her about that?”
Avery’s face creased, and she whispered, “I thought it would work…”
Avery asked, “What did you think would work?” I asked.
She broke down in tears and said, “I thought if Scott did everything I told him to do, it would make you mad.” “I thought it would make things worse between you two.”
Scott’s face changed into shock. “Why would you do that?”
Avery’s shoulders dropped, and she blurted out, “Scott, I’ve loved you for years!” (She was upset). I believed that if I stayed close, one day…
Scott looked at her with a mix of sadness and determination.
“I’m sorry, Avery, but my heart is with Jean.” It has always been that way. You should find someone who loves you as much as I love Jean. That person is not me, though.
She started crying so hard she couldn’t stop. “Please give us a chance, Scott!” I can’t stand seeing you with her!”
Scott told Avery in a soft but strong voice, “You need to let this go.” You can’t be a part of our lives if you don’t accept our relationship.
As Avery stumbled out of the house, her screams got louder, and they could be heard behind her.
After what had just happened, Scott and I stood there in silence for a moment to take it all in.
“Understand?” Scott asked as he put his arms around me.
As I said “yes,” tears of relief ran down my face. “I am now.” Thanks for being there for me.
He kissed the top of my head. “Jean, I’ll always be there for you. You and our child are everything to me.
During the rest of the night, we talked and promised to love and trust each other even more. There were clear lines we needed to draw in order to keep our relationship safe, and we were determined to do so.
After a few months, I had a healthy baby, and Avery stopped being a part of our lives. Scott and I were excited about our future together, knowing that we would be stronger and closer than ever.
We were put to the test, but it also brought us closer together and made us value what we had even more. As I held our baby, I knew that we would face any problems together.