**Brothers Birthday Invitation Sparks Drama with His Wife**
My brother William married six years ago. Since then, neither I nor our parents have set foot in their home. Every holiday, birthday, or family gathering happens without fail at our parents placea spacious house on the outskirts of Manchester. Mum cooks mountains of food, sets the table, and still sends William and his wife, Emily, home with Tupperware full of homemade meatballs and salads.
When William married, Emilys birthday followed just months later. Mum, full of enthusiasm, decided to surprise her: we bought a cake, picked out a lovely gift, and prepared to visit. Mum rang Emily to let her know, but she replied coldly that she wasnt planning to celebrate. Mum, stubborn as ever, insisted, *”Well just pop round for a bit, have tea with the cake! You dont have to lift a finger, love!”*
We went anyway. Instead of a warm welcome, we were stunned: Emily stepped outside, muttering that the flat “wasnt tidy,” and refused to let us in. Dumbfounded, we handed over the cake and gift right there on the doorstep and left. Since then, every family event has been held at Mums, and weve all avoided mentioning that awkward moment.
Once, Emily said bluntly to my parents, *”Youve got a big houseplenty of room for everyone! Were in a one-bed flatwhere are we supposed to host people?”*
I could barely contain my anger. Is a small flat really so impossible for hosting your in-laws and sister-in-law? Its not a crowdjust three people! But we stayed quiet, not wanting to make things worse.
Now, Emily is five months pregnant. Itll be my parents first grandchild, and of course, Mum wont stop fussing. She calls William constantly to check on Emily, asking if she needs help. But we recently found out Emily quit her job early in the pregnancy. Mum panicked: *”Is she unwell? Does she need my support?”*
William reassured herEmily was fine, just choosing to “take it easy.” We were confused. William and Emily have always lived beyond their means: dinners out, holidays, expensive clothes. No mortgagethe flat was inherited from her grandmotherso they spent everything on luxuries. But without her salary, moneys tight, and their lavish lifestyle is at risk. William tried explaining they needed to budget, but she seems unwilling to compromise.
Emily confessed she left work over fears of “catching something at the office.” A fair concern, but now their finances are stretched, and she still expects the same comforts. And in the middle of all this, William invited us all to celebrate his birthday at their place! My parents and I were stunned. Dad even joked, *”Finally, Ill see if my daughter-in-law can cook!”*
Mum was thrilled, eager for a family evening. I rang Emily to confirm details, but instead of a calm chat, I got hysterical sobbing. Emily, in tears, said she didnt want us there: *”Ill have to clean, cook! Im pregnantits too much!”*
I tried to soothe her: *”Emily, keep it simple. Boil some potatoes, toss a salad, roast a chickendone. Well bring the cake. Its just dinner for five. Whats the issue?”*
I even suggested ordering takeaway to make it easier, but she kept complaining about hoovering and tidying. I lost patience: *”Emily, its a one-bed flat! How hard is cleaning? Do you only mop when guests come?”*
In the end, I gave her an ultimatum: *”If you dont want us, we wont come. Well ring William to wish him happy birthday, and thats that.”*
When I told Mum, she agreed. When William found out, he exploded: *”Emily doesnt workshes at home all day! Cant she manage one dinner and a bit of cleaning? Youre coming, full stop! We cant afford takeaway or a cleaner, so shell have to manage!”*
His words hung in the air like a storm cloud. We were all left fuming. The desire to go vanished. The thought of Emilys sour face, sighing and rolling her eyes, killed any excitement. Nobody wants to feel unwelcome in their own brothers home.
Yet it hurts to think we might disappoint William. Hes so eager, so desperate to have us all together at his place! How can we just not show up? Its his day, and hes not to blame for his wifes stubbornness. Were torn: swallow our pride and risk a tense evening, or refuse and break his heart. Theres no easy way out, and every choice deepens the rift. What do you do when love for your brother clashes with disdain for his wife? We dont know the answerbut the birthdays approaching, and a decision must be made.
