What’s Normal, What’s Not, and Why It Matters—Especially After 50
Unexpected Guest
When Jane, my mother-in-law, said her house was “ruined by a flood,” I thought her stay would be brief. But her moving boxes, floral-scented presence, and Joe’s guilty looks hinted at something more permanent.
Uninvited Stay
Jane unpacked, redecorated, and told us she was staying—without asking. Joe brushed off my concerns, but her story about a flooded luxury home didn’t add up.
Hidden Motive Revealed
That night, I overheard the truth: Jane’s real reason for moving in was “to find out why Joe and I hadn’t given her grandchildren yet.” Furious but calm, I offered her our master bedroom instead.
The Breaking Point
Jane thrived, while Joe endured parenting books, kale, and constant pressure. Eventually, he cracked, booked her a hotel, and reclaimed our space. As the door shut behind her, I teased, “So… kale for dinner?” He groaned, “Never again.”
