During our housewarming party, my husband and mother-in-law demanded that we give up our apartment to his sister, but that’s when my mother reacted.

Katie sighed incessantly. Then Barbara turned to me and my parents with an expression of absolute certainty.

“THIS APARTMENT,” she said, “YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT TO KATIE. SHE NEEDS A PLACE OF HER OWN WITH HER CHILDREN.”

I was speechless.

“THAT’S TRUE, MOM!” added my husband Alex. “YOU NEED PEACE. THE KIDS ARE ALWAYS RUNNING EVERYWHERE. LET KATIE TAKE THEM AND RAISE THEM HERSELF.”

I thought he was joking. He wasn’t…

“Your parents helped us buy this house,” he continued. “So we’re going to stay with Mom and save a little more, with their help!” I looked at my parents. My father’s fork fell onto his plate. My mother froze. Barbara beamed as if her son had just solved the problem of world peace.

That’s when my mother spoke. She carefully placed her napkin down and looked Barbara straight in the eyes.