“Maybe you should try walking a mile in my shoes. Literally.”
Sharon sputtered. “I don’t know what kind of stunt you’re pulling, Lauren, but this is completely inappropriate.
This is my gift from my son.”
“Well, your son is prioritizing your whims over his wife’s basic safety,” I shot back and crossed my arms.
The room was silent after my statement. Greg and I were stuck in a staring match, and neither of us was backing down. His face, though, showed he was furious.
Sharon left shortly after mumbling a weak apology and telling us she’d see us tonight.
When the door closed, my husband huffed and puffed, and left our house, too.
I breathed a huge sigh as my hands trembled. That had been rough and ugly. I also felt a little guilty for ruining their Christmas gift exchange, but it needed to happen.
Also, I never sold her microwave.
I just hid it beneath the kitchen sink. I planned to bring it to her gathering later. I just didn’t know how welcome I’d be.
***
You can imagine my shock when I got to Sharon’s house with the kids, and I saw Greg sitting on her sofa, looking guilty.
I immediately realized word of the “boot incident” had spread when Doreen, Greg’s sister, ran to hug me.
“Good for you, girl!” she whispered in my ear. “I couldn’t believe it when Mom told me, but I chastised her and then, him, especially when he arrived here alone.”
I hugged her back. “Does the rest of the family know?”
She pulled back and smiled brightly.
“Mom took my words to heart and told everyone as soon as they arrived. They’ve all given my brother a piece of their minds. I’ve never laughed so hard in my life!” she added.
I chuckled nervously and greeted everyone happily.
The rest of the dinner was fantastic, but Greg was quiet and avoided my eyes.
This was especially true when his uncle made a joke about boots, causing the whole table to giggle.
By the end of the night, I gave Sharon her real gift from Greg. After hugging me, she apologized on her son’s behalf. She hoped I wouldn’t hold the incident against her because she was working on her materialistic ways.
I forgave her, and she sent me and the kids home with most of the delicious leftovers.
Greg avoided me and drove himself home.
I was disappointed he hadn’t learned his lesson as quickly as his mother.
A few days later, I sold some unused items online and combined that money with the cash I got from Christmas cards. I walked into a store a day after and bought myself a pair of beautiful, warm winter boots. They should last me at least three years.
When I arrived home hours later, Greg was standing in the middle of the living room.
His face darkened when he saw my new boots.
“Where’d you get the money for those?”
I smiled and slipped off the boots, deliberately taking my time. “Oh, I decided how MY money is spent. Do you have a problem with that?”
Greg’s face twisted before he sighed.
“Yes… well, no. It’s just that…” he trailed off.
He leaned down and retrieved a gift box from under the tree. It hadn’t been there this morning.
“I went out and bought this,” he shrugged. “It took me a while, and my pride got in the way, but I was wrong, baby. Can you forgive me?”
My husband handed me the gift box, and I took it, trying to hide my excitement.
I knew what was inside: a pair of new winter boots, which were much more expensive than the ones I’d bought.
I chuckled and hugged Greg. Yes, I forgave him. And I think I fell in love with him more that winter.
Because he started treating me like he did when we first fell in love.
Yet, I insisted on opening my own bank account and starting a side home business, so I could make my own money. I wasn’t going to stop being a stay-at-home mom or housewife, but a little more independence was just what the doctor ordered.
And my husband was supportive. That’s all I wanted!
