I'm Just an Outsider in My Mother's Home

"What's the matter, Rene?"

My husband, Kevin Garrett, sounded anxious on the other end of the line. I just looked at the room full of people and replied calmly, "It's nothing. I'll explain on the way back. You can just forget about bringing the gifts over."

Then, I hung up.

Mom was frantic.

"What do you mean by telling him to forget about it? It's just a damn persimmon! Must you be so petty about everything?

"Don't you know just how hard it's been for Vivian? What's wrong with you giving up your portion to her?

"Your dad and I raised you for years with so much hardship, and this is how you repay us?"

I stared intently into her eyes, remaining silent. Mom then realized she had spoken too harshly and quickly softened her tone, taking my hand and speaking to me more gently.

"I was just too anxious. That's why I spoke like that. But Viv has been the one taking care of us ever since you got married. Don't you know that what you're doing is making things awkward for both her and us?

"Just go and apologize properly to Viv later and give her 500 dollars for her trouble. We'll then call it quits. Your dad and I aren't getting any younger now. Don't keep making us angry for no reason."

She sounded like she was pleading with me, but I only looked around at all the electrical appliances I had bought for them, the house I paid for, and the clothes and accessories they were wearing—all of which I had also paid for.

I laughed out loud.

So, as it turned out, none of the things I spent a fortune on buying for them measured up to Vivian Andrews' effortless "companionship".

Mom thought that my silence meant that I was willing to compromise, so she pulled me back into the living room, where everyone else was.

Just then, I noticed the gold bracelet on Vivian's wrist. It looked exactly like the one that I'd bought for Mom.

Vivian also felt my eyes on her, and a smug look crossed her face. Yet, she quickly masked it with an aggrieved look.

"Irene… About t-the bracelet… I-I just tried it on because I thought it looked nice on Mom's wrist. But don't worry. I'll return it to her very soon.

"Also… You don't have to apologize to me for the persimmon. I was never really a part of the Sherman family anyway…"

Her eyes were wet with tears as she spoke in a choked voice, as if she'd been horribly wronged.

Mom instantly felt sorry for her and shielded Vivian behind her.

"What do you think you're trying to do? I was the one who gave the bracelet to Viv! If you're going to yell at anyone for it, then it should be me!

"Also, this is something that you bought for me, which means it belongs to me now, and I can do whatever I want to it as I wish! What else do you still want from us? Can't you see that you've given Viv a terrible fright?"

I was stunned. I hadn't even said a single word, yet she was painting me like I was some form of hardened criminal.

Had this been in the past, I would have immediately apologized just so that Mom wouldn't fly into a temper.