Chapter 4

"Mom, you're really overthinking this."

"The restaurant's still in its early days. Business is slow, everything's a headache, and Marcella spends all day reconciling accounts, ordering supplies, and dealing with customers. She's worn out, inside and out. It's no wonder her temper's short."

"But don't worry. She's been like this with everyone lately. It's not aimed at you. Sometimes I just get in the way at the shop and she snaps at me too."

As he spoke, my son paused, reached out to steady my arm, and tried to reassure me.

"Mom, you're the parent here, so try to be a little more understanding. Don't take it personally when a young woman is under the pressure of starting a business."

"Once we get through this rough patch and the restaurant's on solid footing, I'll have a good talk with her, make sure she apologizes and treats you right from now on."

After hearing my son out, the knot of frustration in my chest loosened considerably.

Young people carry a lot of pressure these days. I understood.

It wasn't as if I needed my daughter-in-law to be smiling at me all the time.

I only hoped that, living under one roof as a family, we could live together peacefully.

"There's no need for an apology."

"I'm just worried about her. Tell Marcella to take things one step at a time and not push herself so hard."

"Whether she earns a lot or a little, her health matters most."

Hearing that, my son smiled and nodded.

"Mom, I knew you'd be the reasonable one."

"Don't worry. I'll be sure to talk some sense into her."

Just then, my daughter-in-law came out of the shower.

Seeing me and my son chatting in the living room, she shot me a cold glance and turned and went straight back to her room, slamming the door behind her.

I looked at the shut door and didn't go over to bother her.

After all, she'd been exhausted for days on end. She needed some quiet time alone.

Better to give her some space.

With that thought, I went back to my room too.

Right then, my phone rang.

It was the class president who had just posted a message in our high school alumni group.

"Old classmates, tomorrow's the day for our once-a-year reunion. Don't anybody forget."

The group came alive in an instant.

"Haven't forgotten, haven't forgotten. I even turned down the senior tour package my son booked for me, just so I could get together with everyone tomorrow."

"A whole year without seeing each other, I've been missing this old crew. I've been looking forward to this reunion."

"Everybody hurry up and confirm the head count. If you've got a good spot for the meal, feel free to recommend it, and we'll pick a place together."

Watching everyone discuss where to eat, an idea struck me at once.

Our alumni group holds a reunion once a year.

Every reunion draws forty or fifty people.

A big order like that would be just the thing to boost business at my daughter-in-law's restaurant and take some of the pressure off her.

With that in mind, I immediately posted in the group.

"My daughter-in-law just opened a restaurant. The food is delicious, and the place is clean.

Let's all get together at her place tomorrow. I'll cover everything."

The moment the message went out, people replied right away.

"Sure thing, Susan. It's your own daughter-in-law's place, we've got to show our support!"

"Then it's settled. Tomorrow we all head to Susan's daughter-in-law's restaurant for the reunion."

"If the food really is good, we'll all be regulars from now on."

Reading the replies, I posted the restaurant's location to the group right away.

At the same time, I started doing the math in my head. This meal for forty or fifty people wouldn't just bring in a good chunk of money for the restaurant.

I could also use the chance to spread the word and turn some of my old classmates into regular customers.

By then Marcella would surely be happy.

The next day at noon, I set off for my daughter-in-law's restaurant with a big, lively group of old classmates, laughing and chatting all the way.

On the way there, my old classmates chatted as they walked, showering me with sincere praise.

"Susan, you really are a wonderful mother-in-law. To look out for your daughter-in-law's business, you'd rather pay out of your own pocket just to book the reunion at her restaurant."

"It's true. You hardly ever see a mother-in-law these days who thinks of her daughter-in-law as genuinely as you do."

"Your daughter-in-law is blessed to have a mother-in-law like you."

Listening to them, warmth spread through my chest.

"My daughter-in-law has always been good to me. She's family, so of course I'll do everything I can to help her."

As I spoke, we arrived at the restaurant door.

But before we could step inside, a figure suddenly came hurrying over.

It was my daughter-in-law.

Her eyes red, she threw herself into the doorway, blocking the entrance, and snapped coldly at me.

"Mom, are you ever going to stop? Why did you bring this whole crowd to my restaurant again?!"

Marcella's sudden blockade and angry outburst brought the laughter and chatter to an abrupt stop.

Everyone stopped in their tracks and turned to look at me, shock written all over their faces.

I froze too, and looked at her, baffled.

"Marcella, what are you doing?"

"I brought everyone to eat here to help your business and take some of the pressure off you."

She let out a cold snort, as if she'd just heard the biggest joke in the world.

"Help my business?"

"Mom, you are so unbelievably two-faced. Do you have any idea how shameless this is?!"

"I've been open three months, and for three months you've brought people here to eat and drink for free. Four hundred thousand dollars total, and you never once picked up the check. And now you stand there and pretend you're helping me with my business?"

"I mortgaged my parents' house to open this place. Are you not going to stop until you've eaten this place into bankruptcy?!"

Hearing that, a shudder ran through me.

"Marcella, what did you just say?"