Brothers Birthday Invitation Sparks Drama with His Wife
My brother Daniel got married six years ago. Since then, neither I nor our parents have ever set foot in their home. Every holiday, birthday, or family gathering always happens at our parents placea spacious house just outside Manchester. Mum cooks mountains of food, sets the table, and still sends Daniel and his wife, Emily, home with Tupperware boxes full of homemade meatballs and salads.
When Daniel married, Emilys birthday came a few months later. Mum, full of excitement, decided to surprise herwe bought a cake, picked out a nice gift, and got ready to visit them. Mum rang Emily to let her know, but she coldly replied she wasnt planning to celebrate. Mum, stubborn as ever, insisted, “Well just pop round for a cuppa and cake! You dont have to lift a finger, love!”
We went anyway. But instead of a warm welcome, we were shockedEmily stepped outside, muttering the house “was a mess,” and refused to let us in. Stunned, we handed over the cake and gift right there on the doorstep and left. Ever since, every family events been at Mums, and weve all tried to forget that awkward moment.
Once, Emily bluntly told my parents, “Youve got a big houseplenty of room for everyone! We live in a one-bed flatwhere are we supposed to host people?”
I could barely hold back my anger. Is a small flat really too cramped for your in-laws and sister-in-law? Its not a crowdjust three people! But we stayed quiet to keep the peace.
Now, Emilys five months pregnant. Itll be my parents first grandchild, and Mum, of course, is constantly worried. Shes always calling Daniel to check how Emilys doing, if she needs help. But we recently found out Emily quit her job early in the pregnancy. Mum panicked: “Is she alright? Does she need my support?”
Daniel reassured herEmilys fine, just decided to “take it easy.” We were confused. Daniel and Emily have always lived beyond their meansfancy dinners out, holidays, expensive clothes. They dont have a mortgage (the flat was left to her by her gran), so they spent everything on luxuries. But without her salary, moneys tight, and their lavish lifestyles at risk. Daniel tried explaining they needed to cut back, but she refuses to give up her comforts.
Emily confessed to Daniel she quit over fear of “catching something at work.” Fair enough, but now their budgets stretched thin, and she still expects the same spending. And in the middle of all this, Daniel invited us all to celebrate his birthday at their place! My parents and I were stunned. Dad even joked, “Finally, Ill find out if my daughter-in-law can cook!”
Mum was thrilled, excited 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 calming her: “Emily, keep it simple. Boil some potatoes, toss a salad, pop a chicken in the ovendone. Well bring the cake. Its just dinner for five. Whats the issue?”
I even suggested ordering takeaway to make it easier, but she kept whining about mopping floors and tidying. I lost patience: “Emily, its a one-bed flat! Is cleaning really that hard? Do you only mop when guests come over?”
In the end, I gave her an ultimatum: “If you dont want us there, we wont come. Well ring Daniel to wish him happy birthday, and thats it.”
When I told Mum, she agreed. When Daniel found out, he blew up: “Emily doesnt workshes at home all day! Cant she manage one dinner and a bit of cleaning? Youre comingend of! We cant afford takeaways or a cleaner, so shell have to cope!”
His words hung in the air like a storm cloud. Everyone was furious. The excitement about the birthday vanished. The thought of Emilys sulking face, sighing and rolling her eyes, killed any enthusiasm. We dont want to feel unwelcome in my own brothers home.
But at the same time, it hurts knowing we might upset Daniel. Hes so eager, so desperate to have the family round at his place for once! How can we just not show up? Its his day, and hes not to blame for his wifes stubbornness. Were tornswallow our pride and go, risking a tense evening, or refuse and break his heart. Theres no easy answer, and every move just makes things worse. What do you do when love for your brother clashes with dislike for his wife? We dont know, but the birthdays coming, and a decision has to be made.
