I’d like to say a few words before we dig in.”
All eyes turned to me. The room fell silent as my gaze shifted from Maureen to Richard, and then to my dearest husband. “This year, I wanted to make Thanksgiving truly special,” I began.
Maureen’s fork froze mid-air, and Richard glanced at Mike, who shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Meanwhile, his brothers exchanged awkward looks. They couldn’t believe Mike expected me to prepare a lavish dinner with just twenty bucks.
“But while planning dinner, I realized it’s not just about the food or the decorations. It’s about the effort and respect that go into making a home feel like a family. And then it hit me… I’ve been doing this alone for two years.”
Mike cleared his throat.
“Honey, maybe now’s not the time —”
“Oh, it’s the perfect time,” I said, cutting him off. “Because while I was cooking, cleaning, and making this house look perfect for you and your family, I also realized I deserve better.”
Maureen’s face turned red. “Alyssa, we’ve always appreciated you —”
“Have you?” I asked, my voice calm but firm.
“Because it doesn’t feel like it when you criticize everything I do or expect me to cater to you like it’s my job.”
Let’s not ruin the holiday, please.”
I smiled sweetly. “Oh, don’t worry, Mike. This dinner is takeout from the fancy catering place you said we couldn’t afford.
It won’t be ruined.”
Maureen and Richard looked at their plates like they’d been betrayed. “Yes,” I said. “Because I figured I’d give myself a break.
And you know what? It was worth every penny.”
I set my glass down and turned to Mike. “Oh, and one more thing,” I said.
“This is the last Thanksgiving dinner I’ll ever make for your family. You can figure out next year’s meal on your own. Maybe Maureen can teach you how she manages to cook meals with no money!”
I drove to the park I used to frequent before I got married, pulled out the bottle of wine I’d packed, and celebrated Thanksgiving solo. The house was dark and quiet when I returned later that evening. The next day, Mike cornered me in the kitchen.
“You can’t just walk out like that, Alyssa!” he protested. “You made me look like a fool.”
“Did I?” I asked, arching an eyebrow. “Or did you make yourself look like a fool by treating me like I wasn’t worth more than $20?”
His face turned red, and he muttered something about how his parents had been “too hard” on me.
It was the closest thing to an apology I’d ever get from him, but it wasn’t enough. Not anymore. A week later, I served him divorce papers.
In the following weeks, Mike moved out, and the house, once filled with tension and unmet expectations, became a place of peace. Soon, I decorated for Christmas, treating myself to a tree decked out with ornaments I loved. And for the first time in years, I was looking forward to the holidays.
Because this time, they were mine, and I didn’t have to worry about anyone else’s opinions. My MIL Brought a Thanksgiving Turkey with My Photo on It — but I Got the Last Laugh
My mother-in-law, Gloria, specialized in passive-aggressive domination. Compliments that weren’t compliments, advice I didn’t ask for, and little gestures like “correcting” my cooking mid-dish or bringing “extras” to dinners I’d painstakingly planned.
This brings us to Thanksgiving. After years of living in cramped apartments, Mark and I had bought our first house and were hosting for the first time. It was my moment to shine.
Everything was perfect until Gloria arrived, balancing a covered dish like she was presenting the Olympic torch. “Hello, everyone!” she announced. “I’ve brought a turkey.
Made it extra special for you.”
A turkey. Of course, she had. “Thank you, Gloria, but everything’s under control,” I said, injecting as much calm as I could muster into my voice.
Mark, my ever-diplomatic husband, placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. “It’s fine, babe,” he said, his tone soothing, though the flicker of panic in his eyes betrayed him. “We’ll just have two turkeys.
More leftovers, right?”
I turned to him slowly, letting my expression do all the talking. Traitor. To my astonishment, dinner went well.
But just as I started to believe I’d pulled it off, Gloria rose and clinked her glass for attention. “I thought it would be fun to add a little… personal touch to my turkey this year.”Continue reading…
