Leave the bitter stew! After a family dinner with my parents, I packed up my wife.
Last weekend, my wife and I visited her parents house for a family dinner. That was when the misunderstanding happened.
It all started off as usual. We gathered around the dining table, chatting about this and that. Somehow, though, the conversation veered towards the idea that perhaps I ought to find a new jobthis was brought up by my wife.
In fairness, it wasnt completely out of the blue. Recently, wed been discussing the prospect of building a swimming pool next to my parents house. Wed wanted to do this for some time, and this year my wife had decided there was no use waiting around any longer.
We were also planning to change the car before winter hit, and had a seaside holiday in mind for next summersomething we hadnt managed to do in three years. Naturally, Im the only breadwinner in the family.
Now, I was perfectly content with my job and had no real complaints. But my companys been experiencing a bit of turmoil recently, letting a few people go, and some of us have had our pay cut, indefinitely so.
As I explained at dinner, we had some savings, enough for a modest beach holiday and, if prices didnt shoot up, an economy car from the list wed been eyeing.
My wife, however, put her parents pool ahead of our other plans. I couldnt get behind that idea, so the conversation ended with her accusing me of being lazy and not wanting to seek a better position so wed have money for everything.
I didnt appreciate that at all. To be honest, we never found any middle ground over it.
Then at the dinner table, the whole issue came flooding back up again. I lost my patience and told her outright that were already supporting her parents with a good sum every month. In a moment of anger, I remarked that much of the meal wed just eaten was likely paid for with my money.
I shouldnt have said it, but it was too late to take it back. Sitting there with a bowl of sour soup in front of me, my wife launched into a highly emotional tirade. She was so offended that she started saying all sorts of things about me. I couldnt listen to any more, so I quietly got up and headed home alone.
When I got back, I packed up my wifes belongings and took them round to her parents. Frankly, I believe this sort of nonsense shouldnt take place, and such behaviour is out of order. Now, back at home on my own, Im struggling to think straight. All in all, Im at a loss about what I should do next.
Looking back, Ive realised that letting anger speak during disagreements with loved ones will only leave you with bitter broth and empty chairs. Maybe next time, Ill try to swallow my pride before things reach boiling point.
