Your generosity should match your wealth, the motherinlaw snapped.
Youre richer than Sophie, so your presents ought to be proportionate, she added gruffly.
I have no idea what to get Mom, Laurent muttered, slumping onto the couch beside his wife.
Élodie shrugged. Picking a gift for her motherinlaw was always a headache.
Relations with Valérie Dupont had been strained almost from the start.
Laurent had immediately sensed his mothers stance; after a talk with Élodie, the two decided to keep their distance.
No one owed anyone anything. Their interaction was limited to occasional phone calls and rare family gatherings when the mood struck.
That year Valérie chose to celebrate her birthday and invited most of the family, including the young couple.
Actually, Mom said shed be happy with any present, Laurent recalled suddenly.
She always says that, then turns picky, Élodie muttered, recalling past incidents. Your sister can give her anything, but not us!
She remembered perfectly the criticism Valérie had leveled at each of their gifts.
Remember March8th? We gave her an expensive cosmetics set, and she broke into tears, accusing us of thinking she was old and unattractive, Élodie sighed. The only gifts she seemed to like were gold or techanything she could pricecheck.
Maybe I should call her and ask what she wants? Laurent hesitated.
As you wish, his wife replied, shaking her head.
Seeking the easy route, Laurent dialed his motherinlaw to discover her wish.
My dear, I need nothing. Just comeyour presence will be my gift, Valérie Dupont answered meekly.
Are you sure, Mom? You wont be upset, will you? Laurent pressed.
Of course not! Id love any trinket, she laughed. Laurent decided to trust her words.
Mom said we could give her whatever we like, he told Élodie.
She eyed him skeptically; she didnt fully trust Valéries assurances.
But Laurent persisted in picking the gift himself, and Élodie finally gave in.
How about a robot vacuum so she wont have to haul a hose around? Élodie suggested after checking their budget.
The couple agreed, bought a 1,000 present for Valérie, and headed to the birthday with confidence.
When Valérie greeted her son and daughterinlaw, her smile faded the moment she saw the box containing the vacuum.
Why? she grumbled, sighing. Son, put that in the bedroom.
Élodie stared at her motherinlaw, taken aback by the reaction.
Soon after, Laurents sister arrived with her husband, throwing herself around her mothers neck.
Mom, its for you!
Thank you, dear! You could have guessed better! Valérie cried, hugging her.
Curious, Élodie wondered what the cherished gift was that had delighted Valérie so much.
She saw that Sophie had given their mother a modest cosmetics set worth about twenty euros.
She exchanged a questioning look with Laurent, who had also noticed his sisters offering.
Reading Laurents expression, she understood his disappointment at their mothers response to their present.
Laurent simmered for hours, but when Valérie began praising her sisters gift again, he finally lost his temper.
Mom, can we talk? he asked, pulling her aside.
Whats wrong? his wife asked, approaching. Is something the matter?
Its not right, Mom! I asked you about a present. Do you remember your answer? he retorted sharply.
I do
So why this reaction to our gift? You keep lauding that cheap set while ignoring ours, Laurent complained, his tone bitter. Dont pretend Im imagining things.
Youre richer than Sophie, so your gifts should be up to par, Valérie snapped.
And what are we supposed to give? Junk? Should we attach a receipt to each gift to make you happy? Laurent asked, frowning.
Oh, thats enough, she said, clearly wanting to end the argument. What can I do if Sophies gift pleased me more?
Because you ignore the price of ours? Laurent shot back sarcastically. Its 1,000, you know!
Its that expensive? Valérie exclaimed, feigning surprise.
She quickly figured out how to extricate herself from the awkward spot.
You know why I value my sisters familys gifts more? Because they give according to what they can afford, while youre careless, she declared abruptly.
Mom, are you serious? Laurent clutched his head.
Do I sound like Im joking? With your income, you could have gotten me a spa weekend, she replied, puffing out her chest.
Stunned, Laurent stared at his mother without blinking for a few seconds.
Do you really think Élodie and I have money falling from the sky every day? he shouted suddenly.
His outburst froze his wife and sister in the doorway, their mouths agape.
Sophie, grasping the cause of the upheaval faster than Élodie, immediately defended their mother.
Mom doesnt want your robot vacuum; she wanted a humidifier. Hers broke three days ago. If you paid any attention to her life, youd know that, her sister retorted.
I asked her about the gift! Laurent growled, grinding his teeth. Are you mocking me? From now on, no more presents! We try to please you, and you criticize us! The robot isnt enough, you want a humidifier! Sorry for disappointing you! Lets go! he said, turning to Élodie.
Valérie burst into tears while Sophie comforted her, and the couple left with sour faces.
Laurent kept the promise hed made to his mother: to stop buying anything or feeling ridiculous, he resolved to avoid family events altogether, sparing himself further stress.
