Kevin was watching television while Kylie searched through a bag. Their children had spread toys across the living room floor.
« They’re my family. »
Robert, my father-in-law, stood near the kitchen holding a pillow.
Linda had claimed our couch.
« Finally! » she announced. « When are you making breakfast, Clarissa? »
I put my groceries down.
« Good morning, Linda. »
« When are you making breakfast, Clarissa? »
« Patrick said you’d make pancakes with all the trimmings. »
« Did he? »
« The children are hungry. »
I looked toward our bedroom.
Patrick emerged carrying a blanket.
« Did he? »
« Where’s that going? » I asked.
« Kevin and Kylie can use it. »
« And your parents? »
« They’re taking our bed. Mom’s back bothers her. »
« Patrick, we barely fit in this apartment ourselves! »
« And your parents? »
Linda rolled her eyes.
« Honestly, can’t you be a little more welcoming? »
« Linda, nobody asked whether I wanted guests. »
Patrick stepped closer.
« Can you stop embarrassing me? »
Linda rolled her eyes.
« You’re giving away our bedroom! »
« They’re only here for the weekend. »
« Where am I supposed to sleep? »
He threw the blanket onto the couch.
« If you don’t like it, you can find somewhere else to stay! »
« You’re giving away our bedroom! »
Nobody spoke.
Kylie looked down. Robert shifted his pillow between his hands.
Linda simply waited for me to respond.
I wanted to shout, but I wasn’t going to give them another reason to blame me.
I picked up the groceries.
Nobody spoke.
« Well, somebody’s going to need a hotel. »
Patrick laughed.
He thought I was joking.
***
I was putting milk away when Linda followed me into the kitchen.
« I don’t understand your attitude. »
He thought I was joking.
« My attitude? »
« You invited us, Clarissa. Now you’re acting like we’re intruding. »
I turned toward her.
« Who told you I invited everyone? »
« Patrick said you wanted us all together. »
« You invited us, Clarissa. »
I called him into the kitchen.
« Did you tell your mother this was my idea? »
He shrugged.
« I said you were looking forward to seeing everyone. »
He shrugged.
« That’s not what you told us, » Linda interrupted. « You said she’d planned everything. »
Kevin looked over from the couch.
« Yeah. You said Clarissa wanted a family weekend. »
Patrick frowned at his brother.
« Thanks, Kevin. »
« You said she’d planned everything. »
« What? That’s what you told me, bro. »
Linda folded her arms.
« Well, we’re already here. »
That’s when I realized Patrick hadn’t just ignored my objections.
He’d made me responsible for promises I’d never made.
Linda folded her arms.
I took my purse.
« Where are you going? » he asked.
« Out for lunch. »
« What about everyone else? »
« You invited them. I’m sure you can manage sandwiches. »
« Out for lunch. »
I left before another argument could begin.
***
Kylie caught up with me outside.
« Can I come? »
I nodded.
We walked to a nearby café, where she ordered coffee and I bought a sandwich.
Kylie caught up with me outside.
« I told Kevin this apartment was too small, » she admitted.
« At least somebody can count. »
She smiled briefly.
« Patrick made it sound like you’d arranged everything. »
« Apparently, I’m quite the hostess. »
« At least somebody can count. »
Kylie stirred her coffee.
« He’s also been saying you don’t enjoy spending time with us. »
I stopped eating.
« Since when? »
« A few months ago. He said you kept finding reasons to avoid family plans. »
Kylie stirred her coffee.
I remembered missing Linda’s birthday dinner because I’d been sick. I’d also skipped a Sunday lunch to cover a shift.
Patrick had encouraged both decisions.
« He told me to stay home that night, » I said.
Kylie frowned.
« He told Linda you didn’t feel like coming. »
Kylie frowned.
« So this wasn’t just a change of scenery? » I asked.
« Not for us. Kevin and I can’t use our bathroom until the plumbers finish Monday. Linda and Robert thought they’d make a weekend of it. »
She looked uncomfortable.
« Kevin wanted to save on a hotel. I agreed. I should’ve checked with you first. »
« Not for us. »
It wasn’t much of an apology, but at least she wasn’t pretending she’d done nothing wrong.
« Did Patrick mention any other plans? »
« He said you’d take the children out tomorrow. »
I stared at her.
Sunday was my only day off.
It wasn’t much of an apology.
***
When we returned, Patrick was playing cards with Kevin.
Linda glanced at me.
« What else did Patrick promise you? »
She frowned.
« Breakfast, somewhere comfortable to sleep, and a nice weekend together. »
Linda glanced at me.
« Anything else? »
« An outing for the children. »
Patrick set down his cards.
« Can we stop turning every little thing into a problem? »
I looked at the cards.
« Anything else? »
« You’ve had time to play all afternoon. Who’s taking the children out tomorrow? »
He glanced at Kylie.
« I thought you’d all enjoy going somewhere. »
« Did you ask Kylie what she wanted? »
Kylie shook her head.
He glanced at Kylie.
« I’d actually prefer a quiet morning. »
Linda stood.
« Well, somebody should’ve made proper plans. »
I looked around the room.
« Did anyone think about booking a hotel? »
Linda stood.
Patrick answered before anyone else could speak.
« Nobody wanted one. »
Robert glanced toward Linda.
It was a small look, but I noticed.
***
That evening, I found my pillow on the couch.
It was a small look.
Patrick was brushing his teeth.
« Linda wants us to visit next month, » he said.
« Does she? »
« She mentioned having everyone over for dinner. »
« Who’s cooking? »
Patrick was brushing his teeth.
He gave me a look.
« Can’t you ever just enjoy something with my family? »
« I’ve cooked for them. I’ve hosted birthdays. I even helped Kylie shower for a week after she gave birth. »
« And you complained about it afterward. »
« I’ve cooked for them. »
He wasn’t entirely wrong.
I’d complained about his family’s demands before. Once, I’d even refused a dinner invitation without explaining why.
But I’d never stopped Patrick from seeing them.
« Then maybe you should volunteer yourself next time. »
He wasn’t entirely wrong.
He turned away.
I settled onto the couch.
Later, I heard Linda complaining that I’d made her feel unwelcome.
Patrick promised he’d handle me.
I stared at the ceiling.
He turned away.
When had I become someone my husband needed to handle?
***
On Sunday morning, Linda was searching through our cupboards.
« Where’s the coffee? »
« Top shelf. »
« Aren’t you making breakfast? »
« There’s cereal and bread. »
« Aren’t you making breakfast? »
She frowned.
« For eight people? »
« Patrick can make eggs. »
Robert entered carrying two mugs.
« I’ll put the kettle on. »
She frowned.
Linda looked at him.
« Robert, you’re supposed to be resting. »
« I’ve been sitting down since yesterday. »
He reached for the bread.
« We should’ve stayed at that hotel. »
« You’re supposed to be resting. »
I turned.
« What hotel? »
Robert paused.
« The one we looked at before coming. »
Linda waved her hand.
« What hotel? »
« It doesn’t matter now. »
« It matters to me, » I said.
Robert set the bread down.
« We offered to book rooms. Patrick insisted we’d be more comfortable here. »
I looked at Linda.
« You were willing to pay? »
« It doesn’t matter now. »
« Of course. We weren’t expecting you to cover accommodation. »
« Then why are you sleeping in my bedroom? »
Linda glanced away.
« Patrick said you wanted us here. »
Kevin entered, fastening his watch.
« Then why are you sleeping in my bedroom? »
« He told me the same thing. »
I faced him.
« Do you still have that message? »
« Probably. Why? »
« Because I’d like to read it. »
« Probably. Why? »
He hesitated, then opened his phone.
The message was from Thursday.
« Don’t waste money on rooms. Clarissa always complains at first. Once everyone’s here, she’ll get over it. I know how to handle my wife. »
I handed Kevin his phone.
« Don’t waste money on rooms. »
« Thank you. »
Linda looked troubled.
« Patrick was only trying to save us money. »
« With my bedroom and my weekend? »
Robert pulled out a chair.
« I think we should call him. »
« Thank you. »
« Not yet, » I said.
For once, I wanted to decide what happened next.
***
Patrick had gone out to collect something Linda wanted and planned to have lunch before returning.
I went into our bedroom and opened our joint savings account.
I wanted to decide what happened next.
Patrick earned more than I did. He contributed most of the money and often called it his savings.
But the account belonged to both of us.
We’d agreed to discuss large expenses before spending anything.
I knew what I was considering would break that agreement.
Patrick earned more than I did.
I also knew Patrick had just broken a far more personal one.
We’d spent almost two years saving for a larger apartment.
One expensive night could push our move further out of reach.
I called the hotel anyway.
« Do you have three rooms available tonight? »
I called the hotel anyway.
The woman checked.
« Yes. Two rooms have two beds each. The third has one king bed. »
I confirmed that all six guests could be accommodated and asked for the total, including taxes.
« $684 for one night. »
The woman checked.
I glanced at our balance and sighed, then confirmed the booking and paid with the debit card linked to our joint account.
Then I took the reservation details into the living room.
***
« I’ve booked hotel rooms for everyone tonight, » I announced.
Kevin looked up.
I glanced at our balance.
« You did what? »
« Three rooms. They’re ready this afternoon. »
Linda stared at me.
« Why would you do that? »
« Because our apartment isn’t big enough. »
« You did what? »
Robert reached for the confirmation.
« These are already paid for? »
« Yes. »
Linda folded her arms.
« We’re not leaving because you’re upset. »
« Yes. »
« I’m not asking you to sleep outside, Linda. I’ve arranged the rooms Patrick wouldn’t let you book. »
Kevin frowned.
« Who’s paying? »
« Patrick and I are. »
He looked at the receipt.
« Who’s paying? »
« From your savings? »
« Our joint account. »
« Without asking him? »
« No, I didn’t ask. »
Kylie looked uncomfortable.
« Our joint account. »
« Clarissa, we could’ve paid for our own room. »
« Then why didn’t you? »
She glanced at Kevin.
« Patrick said you’d be offended. »
I almost laughed.
« Then why didn’t you? »
« He seems very concerned about my feelings when I’m not in the room. »
Linda shook her head.
« Patrick works hard for that money. »
« So do I, Linda. »
« I never said you didn’t. »
« So do I, Linda. »
« You didn’t have to. »
Kevin rubbed his forehead.
« Two wrongs don’t make this easier. »
« You’re right, » I admitted. « I should’ve discussed the expense. Patrick should’ve discussed inviting you. »
Robert studied the receipt.
« You didn’t have to. »
« Well, I offered to pay for rooms in the first place. I’d rather sleep in a proper bed. »
Linda turned toward him.
« You’re agreeing with her? »
« I’m saying we don’t fit here. »
Kylie began gathering the children’s toys.
« I offered to pay. »
Kevin helped her.
Linda was the last to move.
« Patrick’s going to be furious. »
« I expect he will. »
I helped Robert carry the luggage downstairs and gave him the booking details.
« I expect he will. »
He paused beside the car.
« I wish Patrick had told us the truth. »
« So do I. »
***
Patrick came home shortly after six.
« Mom? Dad? »
He paused beside the car.
He walked through the empty living room.
« Where is everybody? »
I pointed to the hotel confirmation on the kitchen table.
He read it, then checked his phone.
« What did you do?! » he shouted.
I pointed to the hotel confirmation.
« I booked your family a hotel. »
« You spent $684?! »
« Yes. »
« From our savings? »
« Yes. »
« Without asking me? »
« That’s correct. »
« I booked your family a hotel. »
He dropped the receipt.
« You embarrassed me in front of my entire family! »
« Did you think I’d be embarrassed when they arrived expecting me to cook and give up our bed? »
« They’re my family! »
« And you lied to them. »
« They’re my family! »
His face tightened.
« What are you talking about? »
I repeated the message Kevin had shown me.
Patrick looked away.
« You weren’t supposed to see that. »
His face tightened.
« But you meant it? You thought you could handle me? »
He didn’t answer.
« You didn’t want a family weekend, Patrick. You wanted everyone to see that you could make me do whatever you wanted. »
« That’s not fair. »
« But you meant it? »
« Neither was telling your mother you’d handle me. »
He looked at me sharply.
« You heard that? »
« Every word. »
He pointed at the receipt.
« You still had no right to spend that money. »
« Every word. »
« You’re right. I broke our agreement. »
He looked surprised.
« Then why do it? »
« Because you told me to find somewhere else to stay. I decided I’d rather stay in my own home. »
« You could’ve talked to me! »
« You’re right. I broke our agreement. »
« I tried, Patrick. Before they arrived, while they were unpacking, and when you gave away our bed. You didn’t listen once. »
He pulled out a chair.
« So spending our savings was supposed to teach me a lesson? »
« Partly. I was angry, and I wanted you to feel what it’s like when someone makes a decision for you. I’m not proud of that. »
« I tried, Patrick. »
« Then you should’ve called me. »
« Would you have agreed to the hotel? »
He hesitated.
« No. They’re my family. »
« And I’m your wife. I shouldn’t have to compete with your mother for a say in my own home. »
« Would you have agreed to the hotel? »
Patrick rubbed his forehead.
« Mom’s barely speaking to me now. »
« Because she knows you lied? »
« Because she thinks I let you throw them out. »
« And did you tell her what really happened? »
« She knows you lied? »
Patrick looked away.
« I thought so. »
« You keep worrying about what your family thinks of you. When do you worry about what I think? »
He looked down.
« So what happens now? »
« I thought so. »
« We’ll discuss the money tomorrow. But I need you to think about why telling your wife to leave seemed easier than telling your family no. »
I picked up my pillow.
« Tonight, I’m sleeping in our bed. »
Patrick moved aside.
For once, I didn’t have to ask him to make room.
