Fired Up: The Blaze That Sparked Change

June 3, 2025

Margaret, my motherinlaw, barked from the kitchen, Let Emily stay at the cottage for the time being. She added, My friend Caroline and her daughter are arriving. Theyre planning to spend about a week with us, maybe longer.

I glanced at John, my husband, who looked just as stunned as I felt.
Mom, which friend are you talking about? John shouted back.
The one and only! Margaret replied, then slipped into the sitting room.

Where am I supposed to go? I asked, feeling the tension rise.
Liza, you heard everything I said, Margaret snapped. She rummaged through the wardrobe and produced a set of crystal glasses the ones she always reserves for special guests.

She turned to John. When are you sending her away?
Who, Mom? he asked, bewildered.
John, stop playing the fool, Margaret rolled her eyes. Your wife, you know, the clumsy one.
Mom, why cant your friend just book a hotel? I ventured.
Are you out of your mind? Have you seen the prices? Emily will stay at the cottage for now so she doesnt embarrass me.
Its summer, lets take some holidays and relax, I suggested.
Fine, thats a good idea, John agreed.
No, you, son, youre needed here! Margaret snapped.
Our flat has three bedrooms. You have your room, I have mine, and the living room is empty your friend can use it.

***

After the first meeting with Caroline, I realised things would not be easy. Margaret had always been against our marriage. She even refused to attend the wedding, only being dragged there by my brotherinlaw, Peter. Two months have passed since the ceremony, yet she still hasnt accepted me into the family. We now live in the parents flat in Kent; Peters father passed away about a year ago, and Margaret is terrified of being alone.

Alright then, Margaret said, Emily must not leave her bedroom.
How on earth do you expect that to work? I protested.
Give me a minute, Ill think of something.
Mom, when is your mysterious friend supposed to arrive?
She should be here any minute now, Margaret said, checking the clock.

At that moment the doorbell rang.
How punctual, I muttered. Margaret rushed to answer, and John and I followed her inside.

Good afternoon, Susan! a tall woman called out.
Hello, Margaret! replied the woman, stepping in with her daughter.

Everyone, meet my little princess! the daughter announced.
What a darling, Margaret clapped her hands.

Whats her name? John teased.
Angelica, the girl replied, a sturdy twelveyearold.

Margaret, introduce us to yours, Susan said, looking at John and me.

This is my son, John I told you about him already, Margaret said.
I remember, a good lad, Susan smiled.

And this, Margaret gestured at me, is his cousin, actually my niece!

My jaw dropped while John burst out laughing.

Margaret, what are you John began, but a hand pulled me toward the hallway.

Liza, lets not start naming people just yet, he whispered.

Why not? I asked, bewildered.

You havent grasped whats happening, he replied.

Explain.

It looks like Mom invited her friend for a reason.

I think Im getting it. Your mother has found you a new wife, I said, halfjoking.

Lets see what they plan next, and well still manage to tell the truth when the time comes, John added.

We returned to the corridor where the guests were shedding their coats.

John, help Angelica take off that lovely little backpack, Margaret commanded.

Margaret, where are our apartments? Susan asked.

Come this way, Susan, Margaret ushered them toward the living room.

That evening we sat down to dinner. Margaret had laid out a feast fit for a Christmas Day banquet. In the centre of the table sat Angelica, with her mother and Margaret flanking her. I was placed at a separate spot, as Margaret had decided. The princess tucked into a plate of roast chicken and potatoes while the two older ladies watched with soft smiles.

Angelica, eat up, dont be shy, Margaret urged.

Shes been eating poorly lately, Susan complained, shes lost weight.

What happened? Margaret asked.

Its unrequited love, Susan sighed. She fell for a lad who kept running away.

Maybe she wanted to eat him up! John blurted, causing me to nearly fall off my chair with laughter.

John, where are your manners? Margaret scolded.

Sorry, didnt mean to offend, he muttered.

The dinner progressed, and the glasses clinked merrily.

I have something important to say, Susan announced.

Now the matchmaking will begin, John whispered, shifting closer to me.

Dear Margaret, dear John, dear sister! I propose that our families unite my little princess must marry you, John! Susan declared dramatically.

We agree! Margaret shouted, clapping her hands.

John roared with delight, and I bolted from the kitchen.

I have something important too! I shouted as I returned a minute later.

What now? Margaret snapped.

Im expecting a child! I announced loudly.

Typical bragging, Margaret retorted.

From your son, Margaret, heres the proof! I pulled out a test showing two clear lines.

Angelica pushed her chicken around her plate, while Susan took a generous sip of brandy.

From a cousin? Margaret narrowed her eyes.

Whats the big deal? We share a bed, were not hiding anything. We even staged a wedding! John protested.

Angelica, up and out the door! Susan commanded.

But Mum, I havent finished my chicken yet, the girl whined.

Were leaving this sinful house! Susan declared, leading her daughter toward the exit. Margaret chased after them.

Sweetie, dont mind them theyre just joking, John tried to calm Margaret.

Your jokes are awful! Margaret, I think we should end this whole affair! Susan shouted.

Both women stormed out, leaving John and me alone at the table, still chuckling. Margaret spent the next week sulking, but we paid her little heed.

Looking back, I realize that family ties can be tangled like a knot of Christmas lights, and trying to force harmony only tightens the snarl. The lesson Ive learned is that honesty and a bit of patience go farther than any grand scheme or forced celebration.