AWARD WINNER!
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Episode 2:
Sister-in-Law from Hell!
"I
thought Rupert had told his sister that Jane needed a month off
between these rotations." Chrissy turned to Belle. "Didn't they
agree last fall on the date that Nancy — or was it Lizzy?
— is supposed to take her back?"
"It's Nancy, " Belle said. "Lizzy hasn't taken a turn with their
mother in the last ten years. And yes, Rupert and Nancy had agreed
on the date. Or at least, that's what Rupert told Jane."
"Unfortunately, old folks can become such a burden," Mrs. G said.
"I pray to God everyday that I never become a burden for you
two."
"You're looking in the wrong place, Mom. Right now, our problem is
not the burden, it's Jane's sister-in-law!"
"And you're being unfair to Belle and me," Chrissy added. "We
always share everything equally — good or bad."
"The problem is the burden," Mrs. G insisted. "I'm 79 years
old and I know what that poor old lady must be going through. Who
would want to be shuttled around from place to place twice a year?
And God forbid, it would be three times a year, if you
children were to succeed in your quest for equity and somehow
managed to coerce Lizzy to participate in the rotations too."
Mrs. G got up again. "No, it's you two who are looking in the
wrong place. And you're eating too much again!" She pulled away
the pastry basket. "You're going to ruin your appetite. We're
having roast duck à l'Orange for dinner." She shooed them into the
family room adjacent to the breakfast area of the kitchen.
The family room faced the backyard like the kitchen, and the
French windows that started in the breakfast area of the kitchen
continued into the family room to form its entire South wall.
"So, anyway," Belle continued as she walked to her favorite chair
facing the hill, "Rupert called Nancy last night to find out when
she was coming and she hung up on him — hung up on him!"
"Poor Jane!" Chrissy said.
"Poor mother-in-law, whatever her name!" Mrs. G countered.
"Mom, we can't address the long-term problem now."
"You know, it's like Ground Hog Day!" Belle exclaimed. "Keeps
happening the same way every year despite poor Jane's ineffectual
efforts and protestations. First, Nancy stops calling her mother
to avoid talking about when she's coming for her. In fact, you can
always tell when Nancy's turn in the rotations is approaching,
because she stops calling her mother. The calls go from twice a
week to zero. Every year."
Belle got up to pace back and forth along the French doors.
"And her husband Dick," she continued, "now, Dick could very
easily transport his mother-in-law himself and save Nancy the
trouble. They live only three hours from here and he drives down
every Friday to meet with a client, Optechnics, which is a few
miles up Route 128. Has a small contract there — purely the
courtesy of having gone to college with its president, I might
add! But I'm sure Dick's just dreading the impending
rotation and would do anything to skip their turn. After all, his
own mother's in an assisted-living facility. Why should he
have to put up with Nancy's?"
She crossed her arms on her chest and planted her feet. "Well,
this year I'm determined to rescue Jane from being squeezed
between rotations."
She sat down again and looked expectantly at her mother and
sister. "So. I'm open to suggestions."
"Why doesn't Rupert — or Jane — drive her to Nancy's on
the agreed upon date?" Mrs. G asked.
"Well, Jane
and Rupert worry that that would make her feel like
she was being pushed out," Chrissy said. "It would make her feel
more wanted if the one whose turn it is to have her comes to pick
her up, see?"
"Well dear, then I recommend an honest and direct approach. Jane
should simply —"
"Honest and direct are out of the question," Belle interrupted.
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