I found him sitting with his mother in the gazebo; was she complaining about me, did i hear right?, i walked up to them and welcomed him, all i got was a warm smile in return, no hug or kiss.
''where did you get such a lazy and dirty wife from?, she continued, what!!!! i was confused, she had eaten two different meals and a dessert since her arrival.I didn't know how to respond so kept mute, Ben on the other hand apologized saying we had just returned and was still trying to settle in, i tried really hard not to pick an offence. finally i spoke, ''welcome honey, let me get you something to drink''.
I needed a moment alone to calm my nerves, anger never solved a problem plus she was my husband's mother,with a deep breath i decided to try harder to get on her good side, taking a pack of my orange juice and three tumblers i headed back.
I noticed Ben's face light up as i approached (he loved my home made drinks), mama noticed it too and begins to speak ''thank you young lady, but if could give us a minute am trying to have a quiet time with my son''. I felt my heart sink, i gave Ben a stare daring him to respond, he said nothing, i felt betrayed and began to leave when i heard him speak up, ''mama, her name is Olivia and we are one, feel free to tell us anything'', he stretched out his hand inviting me to sit next to him, '' ooh yes, now that's the man i fell in love with'' i said to my self.
The look on mama face was scary, she began to murmur ''When will dinner be ready? or should my tired son go in and cook for you? ''. before i could ask what he might want for dinner, mama interrupts saying pounded yam will be just fine with a wicked smile on her face.
To the kitchen i returned to continue cooking, '' my new found hobby''. I still couldn't get mama's smiling face off my mind, how could she be enjoying this. I put in all efforts to ensure the meal came out perfect, i was really trying to get her to like me, all i wanted was a happy family.
Oooh my dinner was a mess, mama had a lot of complains about my cooking and didn't hesitate to tell me how much of a better cook she was. Ben said nothing but ate in silence, if i was such a bad cook how could he swallow it all. it took me all the courage not to speak, i needed my bed.
The sound of music playing woke me up, what time was it?, i could tell the sun was fully out but I couldn't remember sleeping off.... a note on the side table got my attention, it read;
hey baby,
i know you had a stressful day yesterday
please try get along with mom
am off to work, do have a lovely day.
love you always.
Ben.💕
Realization dawned on me, my mother in-law was around and i was still in bed, i saw the clock ticking; it was 8:30 am, i quickly jumped out of bed and into my slippers and straight to the kitchen, i heard sounds from the sitting room and knew just where she was.
Calculating my every thought and words i headed to the sitting room, ''good morning mummy, hope you had a lovely night'' i said to her, turning her head to give me a full view, she replies ''what is good about a morning of starvation, which wife wakes up as late as nine'', here we go again, was she going to remind me of how unqualified i was for her precious only son?, ''sorry mom, i was feverish'' i said cutting her off, '' am much better now, what would like for breakfast?''.
Finally the day seemed to be coming to an end, i was worked up, she (my mother in-law) had me serving her hand and foot and not even a thank you, all i got was the food was too salty or peppery or not soft enough, i felt like a traded slave.
Ben's return was all i awaited, i was done tolerating mama, how long was she going to stay?.
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