**Wedding Gift from the Mother-in-Law: Better Nothing Than This!**
Sophie and James were getting married. The wedding was in full swing when the toastmaster announced it was time for gifts. First, the brides parents gave their blessings, then came Jamess mother, Margaret Whitmore, carrying a large, sky-blue box.
What on earth could be in there? Sophie whispered excitedly to James.
No idea. Mums kept it a complete secret, he replied, equally puzzled.
They decided to wait until the next day to open the presents, once the wedding chaos had settled. Sophie suggested starting with his mothers box. They untied the ribbon, lifted the lidand froze in shock.
For a long time, Sophie had noticed something odd about James: he never took anything without asking, not even the smallest thing.
Can I have the last chocolate? hed ask hesitantly, eyeing the lone truffle in the bowl.
Of course! Sophie would reply, bemused. You didnt even need to ask.
Old habits, hed smile awkwardly, unwrapping it.
It took months before Sophie understood why.
One evening, James introduced her to his parentsMargaret and Edward Whitmore. At first, his mother seemed pleasant, but the illusion shattered at dinner.
Each guests plate held two spoonfuls of mash and a single small meatball. James finished quickly and quietly asked for seconds.
Always stuffing your face like a farmhand! Cant ever fill you up! Margaret snapped, shocking Sophie.
When Edward asked for more, Margaret happily piled his plate high. Sophie ate in stunned silence, horrified by the blatant favouritism.
Later, while planning the wedding, Margaret showed her true colours. Everything was too expensivethe rings, the venue, the menu.
Why all this extravagance? You could do it cheaper! she scoffed openly.
Finally, Sophie snapped.
Were handling it ourselves! Its our pounds, our choice!
Offended, Margaret fell silent and even threatened to skip the wedding.
Two days before, Edward arrived unexpectedly.
Son, help me with the gift, he said, leading James to the car.
Hed gone rogue and bought them a washing machinejust to defy his wife. He confessed theyd argued fiercely because Margaret thought even a wedding gift for her own son was too costly.
On the day, Margaret showed upwearing an expensive dress, arriving by cab. She behaved politely, handed over the box, then melted into the crowd.
The next morning, Sophie and James eagerly opened itonly for excitement to curdle into disappointment.
Towels? Sophie muttered, pulling out the first.
And socks, James sighed, holding up two pairs of fluffy wool ones. Dad was right Mum just grabbed whatever was lying around. Hard to believe shes become this stingy. No gift wouldve been better.
But it didnt end there. Days later, Margaret calledto pry about other guests gifts.
Go on, then! What did Sophies mum give? And Uncle Henry? And her friends? she pressed.
James refused to indulge her.
Mum, thats none of your business. Sophie and I are happy.
Then he hung upwithout guilt, for the first time.
Life teaches us: the cost of a gift says nothing of the givers heart. But respect and love reveal themselves in the little things. And sadly, Margaret had run out of both.
