Where I belong.

Part 35 -My mother in law

It had been 3 weeks since our engagement and our wedding was in a month. It was the weekend and John was out. I thought he was happy being home with me indoors but clearly I thought wrong.
I was baking muffins when the door bell rang. I licked the dough off my index finger and grabbed a paper towel. I didn't dare bother Christina, I think she deserves to rest.
I opened the door and a ravishing young-looking old woman stood and stared at me.

"Well, what are you doing staring at me, girl. Let me in."
"I'm sorry but have we met?"
"Have we met? Are you kidding me? I don't go around meeting house maids. Let me in." she pushed me to the side and let herself in.

She walked to the kitchen and saw my baking mess.
"Baking, are we?"
"Yes." I replied firmly.
"Where's John?"
"He's out. I am going to ask you for the last time. Who are you? You can't just waltz into my house like that!"
"Your house?" she squeezed her eyes at me.
"Yes." I was breathing heavy with a spoon in my hand. Ready to knock her out incase she misbehaved.
"Who exactly BOUGHT this house, girl." she asked.
"My fiancé. Future husband."
"Who might that be?" she asked slyly.

John walked in.

"John, where were you!" we asked at the same time.
"Oh, my two favourite women."
he laughed.
This woman and I exchanged looks.

"What?" he asked.
"John, who is she?" I asked.
"Oh baby , it's my mom."
My jaw dropped.
"Your mom?"
"Yes."

"John why is this house maid calling you baby?"
"Mom. Remember I told you I am engaged."
"Which is part of the reason I am here."
"Well, meet your daughter in law, Gwen."

We both weren't pleased to see each other. She took me for a housemaid and I took her for a stranger.

"Let me go freshen up, you two learn to get along."

There was awkward silence in the kitchen.
"Tea and muffins?" I asked her.
"Thanks." she looked at me from the corner of her eye.

She went to sit down in dining area while I prepared her muffins. Before I took them to her I had a word to share with John.

I walked into our room. "John." He didn't hear me from the shower.
"John Henry!!!"
"Babe." he yelled from the shower.
I went to open the shower door and stood there.
"You smell of women, alcohol and heat! Where were you!"
"I was out with the boys, my lady."
"Who was she? Who were they? The women you kissed and touched?" I began crying.
"Baby there was no one I swear."
"Was Charlotte one of them?"
There was silence.
"John Henry Smith , was Charlotte one of them!!!"
"Baby there was no one."
"Your shirt smells of women! I am not stupid, John!"
"Gwen. Would I lie to you!" He yelled at me.
"Honestly. I don't know, would you?" I looked at him and walked away.

I went down into the kitchen and tried to hide the fact that I was crying. Tea was ready so I went to give his mother tea and muffins as promised.

"Here you go." I put the tray down on the table.
She could see I had been crying.

"Dear. Sit down." She gently grabbed my arm.
I sat down next to her.
"I know those tears anywhere. John Henry isn't an easy man to deal with. You have to be strong when dealing with him."
I nodded.
"No, I mean it. I'm sorry I took you for a housemaid. You just don't look like his type. He proved me wrong. "

I looked down and said nothing.

"Your muffins are delicious. You should tell me where you got the recipe and share your past with me. We should plan the wedding together. You shouldn't do it on your own." she said gently.

I gave in to her emotionally. She was actually nice. I think I like my mother-in-law.