Ellen whirled around, her eyes wide. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?”
“I’m here because I helped Elizabeth with the holiday card.
What you’ve done all these years needs to stop now.
Elizabeth is part of this family now. She’s your son’s wife! We might have excused your behavior when they were only dating, but your attitude went too far last year.”
Ellen’s entire body was vibrating with rage.
“You’re taking her side?
Against your own wife?”
“Yes,” Frank said without hesitation. “Because you’re wrong, Ellen.
And I’m tired of watching you push Elizabeth away. It’s not fair to her, to Peter, or to the rest of us.”
“Fine,” Ellen spat.
“If you’re so determined to betray me, then maybe we should just get a divorce!”
“Mom, stop.”
Peter’s voice cut through the tension.
He came from the door next to the kitchen that led to the garage, his hiding spot. This was the final part of our plan, to face her together, because no one wanted to leave me alone with Ellen’s rage.
“As Dad said, you’re not being fair to Elizabeth,” Peter said, his voice level. “Or to anyone else.
She’s my wife.
How many times did you need to be told? I’m a grown man, and I need you to respect her.
If you can’t do that, we’ll have to reconsider how much time we spend with you.”
Ellen’s jaw dropped. “You’d cut me off?
After everything I’ve done for you?”
“I don’t want to,” Peter said softly.
“But I won’t let you treat Elizabeth like this. It’s not right. And if you can’t accept her as part of the family, then we have a problem.
She’s going to be the mother of my children, and I wouldn’t want them around someone who has no regard for their mother.”
The room fell silent.
Ellen seemed genuinely speechless… but also helpless.
I took a deep breath and spoke up. “Ellen, I’ve always wanted to be a part of this family.
But you’ve made it clear, time and time again, that you don’t see me that way. I’m not asking for much, just a little respect.
If you can’t give me that, I don’t see how we can move forward.”
Ellen stared at me, her eyes still hard and untrusting.
I sighed.
“We never wanted a holiday card without the entire family. But doesn’t it say something that the rest of your relatives were willing to help me?”
The anger seemed to drain from Ellen at my words, but her expression was impossible to decipher. I didn’t expect an apology; all I hoped for was a change in her behavior.
“Very well.
I can do that,” she finally said.
She gave each of us a short glance and stormed out of the house.
Frank, Peter, and I all collectively exhaled.
“Do you think that will work?” Peter asked his father.
Frank just shrugged and cracked a smile. “I don’t know.
Her pride was just wounded. We’ll have to see.”
In the weeks that followed, Ellen’s behavior started to change.
It wasn’t a complete turnaround, and I didn’t expect it to be.
But she made an effort, however grudgingly. She invited me to tea, asked for my input on small family matters, and even managed a few real compliments here and there.
By the time Christmas Eve rolled around, she was actively trying to include me in traditions. When it was time for the annual family photo, she surprised everyone by insisting that we all be in it together.
As we gathered around the fireplace, Ellen stood beside me, smiling, not her usual forced smile, but something almost genuine.
It wasn’t perfect, and it never would be.
But it was a start.
