My mother-in-law packed up all the food at my husband’s birthday party into containers — so I finally made her realize that this wasn’t normal.
For years, every holiday has been celebrated at our place. I always prepare a large variety of dishes. There’s a nice spread, with desserts, drinks, and several things to choose from. Typically, each guest brings something to contribute.
However, my MIL, Linda, never brings any dish. She always arrives with her two daughters, Jessica and Nicole, who enjoy eating a lot. I’m not stingy with food, and happily share, but unlike everyone else, Linda never brings anything.
Yesterday was my husband’s 42nd birthday, and as usual, Linda arrived with her daughters. We had a backyard barbecue. I woke up at 5 a.m. to start preparing at least ten dishes for everyone.
After we sat down and ate a bit, the guests started to relax. Some played ball, others continued to grill. The party was just getting started when Linda pulled out food containers from her massive bags.
There were quite a few containers.
She, along with Jessica and Nicole, proceeded to pack all the remaining food from the table into these containers.
I quickly approached and asked what she was doing.
Linda responded:
“Well, what are my daughters and I supposed to eat TOMORROW? You don’t need this food anymore, so I’m taking it home with me!”
I was stunned:
“Linda, please stop. The party ISN’T even done yet. Other guests might still want food. We bought the ingredients, and some guests brought their own dishes…”
She looked at me and replied:
“God, you’re so stingy! I’M TAKING ALL THE FOOD ANYWAY. I don’t care. I have to go. And if anyone doesn’t get enough, well, make some more.”
She cleaned the whole table, putting every dish into her containers, ignoring me, talking about how stingy I was. My husband didn’t want to create a disturbance.
But this behavior wasn’t normal.
I reached my limit.
With a smile, I told Linda:
“You know what? You’re right. Wait here. I’ll go get another dessert from the kitchen in a container for you to take home.”
Linda smiled at this until I brought out the container.
She opened it and turned pale.
Oh, WHAT was inside definitely WASN’T dessert.