“What will the family say when they find out that you’re planning to leave on your birthday?” her husband grumbled disapprovingly.
“What do you mean you won’t be here?” Her husband, Richard, smirked, bewildered as he looked at the delighted Joann.
“I’m celebrating my birthday the way I want to for once, not how the family wants me to,” Joann proclaimed, glowing with happiness as the fifty-year-old woman sat across from Richard.
“What are we going to tell the relatives?” Richard began to worry, imagining his mother kicking up a fuss when she found out.
“Do we need to tell them anything? It’s my birthday, and if I’m not inviting them over, I shouldn’t have to justify it,” Joann responded in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Are the kids aware? They were planning to come over too!” Richard grimaced with frustration.
“Yes, Alex and Mary are on board with my decision!”
Joann’s words took Richard by surprise. For the past two weeks, his mother, Margaret Thompson, had been asking about Joann’s plans for her birthday.
Now, hearing that Joann wouldn’t be having a party, Richard felt anxious.
He didn’t know how to explain to his mother that this year would be different.
As if sensing this, Margaret began instructing Richard about what should be on the menu.
“Drop a hint to Joann that I’d like those same salads from last year, especially the one with pineapple. And tell her to make that lovely stuffed salmon too,” Margaret eagerly listed.
Her relationship with Joann wasn’t bad, but calling it friendly would be a stretch.
Margaret generally stayed out of Richard and Joann’s life, except when a celebration was on the horizon.
That’s when she’d persistently nudge Joann to handle all the cooking.
“I have work; I won’t have time,” Joann, who was at school all day five days a week, would decline.
She was an English teacher, often teaching double shifts due to a lack of staff.
During those times, Margaret would beg Joann for help earnestly.
“Your cooking is always delicious and mine always turns out bland,” she would sigh, trying to appeal to Joann’s empathy. “Everyone loves your food.”
“Your birthday’s on a Friday, and I’m working,” Joann would explain repeatedly.
“I moved it to Saturday to make it easier for you,” Margaret would announce cheerfully. “Don’t worry, I’ll help too.”
Joann realized she’d have to cook for her mother-in-law’s party. Sure, she could refuse, but she knew Margaret would hold a grudge.
This scenario occurred several times a year. Margaret asked Joann to help not just herself but also other relatives.
Eventually, Joann realized they were all just using her as free labor.
Instead of resting, she spent her weekends preparing food for someone’s celebration—be it Richard’s relatives or her own.
At some point, Joann decided it couldn’t continue, and it was time to stand up to her pushy relatives.
She started with her birthday. No guests and instead, a getaway to a hotel in another city where no one knew her.
This was what she told her husband when he asked about her birthday plans.
“Are your family aware?” Richard inquired, curious about how Joann’s mother, who also enjoyed her daughter’s culinary skills, would react to the news.
“No. I’m not saying anything unless they ask,” Joann replied indifferently. “For once, I’m not spending the day slaving over a hot stove only to serve everyone all evening.”
“I get it,” Richard nodded at his wife.
That evening, perhaps sensing something, Margaret called Richard with the same question about the birthday.
“Has Joann sorted everything out yet? It’s only a week away, and she hasn’t mentioned a word,” Margaret complained.
“Joann’s decided not to celebrate this year,” Richard chose not to hide the truth from his mother.
“What do you mean, not celebrate? Is she mad? Let me speak to her!” Margaret demanded in her usual authoritative tone.
Richard walked into the kitchen, where Joann was preparing dinner. Giving her a nudge, he silently handed over the phone.
“Is it true you’re not celebrating your birthday?” Margaret asked, her voice strained.
“True. I decided to spend it relaxing and feeling like a queen, not slaving away in the kitchen,” Joann laid it all out to Margaret.
“Strange that you only thought of yourself and didn’t ask anyone else’s opinion,” Margaret replied, obviously annoyed. “Do you not want us there?”
“Why should I ask? It’s my birthday,” Joann replied calmly.
“Will you still help us?” Margaret asked curiously.
“If I have time,” Joann hinted that Margaret might have to forget about the usual cooking help.
“What will we do without your stuffed fish? And those delicious salads,” Margaret said wistfully. “It seems a bit rude from you. You know what? I’m coming to wish you happy birthday anyway!”
“Feel free to come; just know I won’t be here,” Joann replied and hung up.
The day before her birthday, Richard took Joann to the train station. Once on the train, Joann relaxed and turned off her phone.
She turned it back on the next day, closer to the evening, only to receive a flood of judgmental messages alongside birthday wishes.
She received over twenty-five messages from Margaret but chose not to read them.
Joann spent about an hour chatting with her children, who lived in another city, before heading to a restaurant.
Joann spent three tranquil days in another city, savoring the peace, quiet, and freedom.
Richard greeted her at the train station, his face begrudging yet hers beamed with relaxation. Though she could tell Richard was still miffed, Joann didn’t let it bother her.
She was overjoyed at having finally stood up to her demanding relatives.
