“I know you want to skip the entire event,” Mark said when I read the list out to him. “But you can’t miss this. It’s for my father at the end of the day, okay?”
I nodded. If it were any other dinner, I would have skipped it altogether, but this one was particularly important. It was a celebration of my father-in-law’s retirement, and I knew it meant the world to Mark.
“I can’t afford to skip my shift at the mechanic,” he said. “I have no choice but to go. So you have to represent us here.”
“No, I know,” I agreed. “It’s just that your sister makes everything so difficult.”
My husband sighed, rubbing his forehead.
“I don’t know how we can afford to get anything on the list Jessica sent,” I said.
“We’ll figure something out. We always do,” Mark said, sitting down to eat dinner.
“Actually, love, you know what?” he asked, putting his fork down. “Make something. Make a casserole or something to take. I don’t see how Jess can complain about you bringing something home-cooked.”
“That sounds like a plan,” I said, smiling.
I decided to make a hearty homemade casserole. I used the age-old recipe that my grandmother had passed down, with a few tweaks, it had become my version of the dish.
“It’s delicious and always a hit with me,” Mark said as he got ready for his shift on the day of the potluck.
It was a dish that was always popular with my side of the family, and I figured it would be enough.
I arrived at Jessica’s house with my casserole, hoping she wouldn’t make a scene. As soon as I stepped into the kitchen, she eyed my dish with a look of disdain.
“Emily, what is this?” she asked, her nose wrinkled.
“It’s a family recipe,” I said. “I thought it would be nice to bring something homemade among all the things you wanted.”
“Homemade? Emily, this is a potluck for goodness’ sake, not a soup kitchen. Everyone else is bringing delicacies, and you decide to show up with this? Don’t you know that Gretchen is bringing three different types of caviar? Why would you choose to embarrass yourself like this?” she asked.
She waved her hand dismissively over my dish and sighed.
I felt my face flush with embarrassment and anger.
“I couldn’t afford the things on your list,” I said. “Your brother and I are doing the best we can.”
She crossed her arms and smirked at me.
“Maybe if you and Mark managed your money better, you wouldn’t be in this situation. Honestly, Emily. This is just embarrassing. I can’t serve this to my guests. I think it’s best that you leave.”
My sister-in-law’s words stung. I had never felt so humiliated before. Without saying another word, I picked up my casserole and left the kitchen.
“Where are you going, Em?” my mother-in-law asked me as I was almost out the front door.
“Home,” I replied softly. “I’m not feeling well and it’s not fair that I get to be here without Mark.”
My mother-in-law looked me up and down, her eyes softening.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
I nodded.
I knew she wouldn’t ask me anything else. Not in this setting anyway. And I hoped she would just walk away. I was on the verge of tears, and if she had anything else to say, I knew I would just break down.
“Okay then,” she said. “I’ll call to check up on you later.”
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