Ana stopped the car one street away from her mother-in-law’s house and arrived early at 5:45 p.m. She hoped her punctuality would be appreciated this time. Her new dress was pretty and the antique brooch she had been looking for for months was carefully wrapped in the back seat.
As she approached the house, she heard her mother-in-law’s voice through an open window:
“No, Beatriz, can you believe it? She didn’t even ask what kind of cake I like. She ordered a modern dessert. Daniel has always loved the classic Napoleon cake and she”, there was a pause, “doesn’t even know. Seven years of marriage!” Ana froze, her feet not moving.
“I already told you, she’s not the right one for Daniel. She’s always in her clinic, never at home. What kind of woman is that? I passed by her house yesterday, dirty dishes, dust. She’s always busy with work.”
Ana’s heart sank. For seven years she had tried to be the perfect daughter-in-law: she cooked, cleaned, remembered birthdays and visited her mother-in-law when she was sick. And for what?
“No, I’m not saying anything, but she’s not the right one for my son. He needs a real family, someone to take care of him. She doesn’t even think about children. Can you believe that?”
Ana’s head was buzzing. She dialed her husband’s number. “Daniel, I’m going to be late. Yes, everything is fine, just the traffic.”
She turned back to the car and sat in silence. Her mother-in-law’s words echoed in her ears: “Maybe you should add more salt?” “In my day, women stayed home…” “Daniel works so hard, he needs attention…”
Her phone vibrated with a message from Daniel: “Mom is asking where you are. Everyone is already here”. Ana took a deep breath. A strange smile appeared on her face. “Well”, she thought, “if they want a perfect daughter-in-law, they’ll get one”.
She started the engine and drove back. The plan was clear. It was time to stop trying to please them. Now she would show them what a “real” daughter-in-law could be.
With an exaggerated smile, Ana entered the house. “Mommy, darling!” she called, hugging her mother-in-law. “I’m sorry I’m late, I had to stop at three stores to get the candles you love so much.”
Her mother-in-law looked shocked. “I thought…” she began, but Ana continued. “Oh, and I met your friend Beatriz on the way. What a lovely woman, always telling the truth, isn’t she?” Ana saw her mother-in-law’s face turn pale.
At dinner, Ana performed perfectly. She served her mother-in-law the best food, complimented her on everything, and constantly asked her for advice on housework.
“Mommy, should borscht cook for five or six hours? And carpets, should I clean them in the morning or in the evening? Maybe I should quit my job? After all, Daniel needs a real family, right?”
Daniel stared at Ana in confusion. The family members exchanged glances, but Ana continued. “I was thinking… maybe I should take a home economics course? Give up surgery? After all, a woman should be the guardian of the house, right, Mommy?”
Ana ended the evening with an enigmatic smile, feeling like she had finally crossed the line. When she had finished pretending and serving, she looked at her husband. “Daniel, I have to tell you something”, she said calmly.
He looked at her confused. “What’s wrong, Ana?” “This… This isn’t my family. It never was. Right now, I’m going to stop being something I’m not”, she replied, then turned to her husband’s mother.
“And I know I’m not the real daughter you imagined, but maybe it’s time to stop thinking that I have to be perfect for you.” The cricket fell silent in the room and the family was shocked.