The moment we dragged into the driveway, a strange feeling settled over me, a quiet restlessness that I couldn’t explain.
Maybe it was a frightening silence, the way the street headlights were flashing, or the fact that our normally welcome home looked … Only when I got out of the car did I hit me full of horror – our house was attacked.
Ellie’s family had just returned from her annual Christmas holiday and was looking forward to settling back to their home. But what was waiting for them was a complete shock – Eggs spiked across their walls, shattered shells on the porch and even destroyed their festive wreath. When they stood in disbelief, they found a cryptic note under the door:
“That’s what you took before Christmas!”
The confusion and suspicions were forbidden by Ellie’s mind. Who could do that? Like someone who was always a friendly neighbor, she couldn’t understand why someone would hold such a resentment. Determined to reveal the truth, immediately checked their security shots. What she saw had forced her stomach.
A character with a hood carefully throwing eggs at home.
Her fingers floated over the phone, ready to call the police, but something stopped her. The way the character moved, posture, the tilt of the head – all of this felt terribly familiar.
And then it hit her.
She was her mother.
Confrontation
The next morning Ellie left her husband Ethan with the children and went directly to her mother’s house. When her mother responded to the door, Ellie didn’t waste time.
“Why did you do that, Mom?” Do not even try to deny it. ”
Her mother Irene sighed deeply before she answered. “It was because of your father -in -law, gloria.”
Ellie frowned. “What does Gloria have in common?”
“She called me before Christmas,” Irene said, and her voice joined with indignation. “She told me how you and Ethan took her to her island vacation, how she included and felt.” She went on and on the wonderful time she had with her children. “Her voice cracked. “In the meantime I stayed behind.” Alone.”
Ellie’s breath grabbed her throat. “Mom,” she said gently. “We didn’t take glory with us.” That has never happened. I swear. ”
Her mother’s eyes spread in disbelief. “But … why would she say that?”
“To hurt you,” Ellie replied firmly. “To make you feel exactly like this.” Drive a wedge between us. Why should I take Gloria on vacation and not my own mother? ”
Irene covered her face with her hands and was washing her. “I was so angry, Ellie.” I felt invisible, as if I didn’t really care. And I – I lost control. ”
Painful truth
She hit her mother’s words because they were not mistaken in a way. Among the raising two children, full -time work and juggling the daily duties of Ellie, Ellie let her mother drift to the sidelines without realizing it. The brands were there – the hesitation of her mother’s voice during telephone calls, the way she ceased to decline on the unannounced, absence of her usual domestic delicacies.
Ellie took a deep breath. “Mom, what you did was bad.” But I understand why you felt hurt. And I’m sorry if I could feel you forgotten. ”
Irene’s voice trembled. “I’ll fix everything!” I will pay for cleaning, I will – ”
Ellie interrupted gently. “We’ll clean it together.” But more importantly, we have to fix us. No more misunderstanding. We will no longer let other people’s words create a distance between us. ”
Her mother nodded and tears rushed in her eyes. They accepted, and for the first time in years it seemed as if the walls between them were finally descending.
That afternoon, side by side, cleaned eggs from the walls, porches and windows.
Root
That night, after inserting the children in bed, Ellie sat down with Ethan, in his hand a glass of wine.
“Kat,” started, “Your mom started the whole thing.” Gloria called her mom and told her she was on vacation with us. It sounded so real that my mom believed and bark. ”
Ethan’s jaw has tightened. “Did she really do that?” What did she think of the ground? ”
“I have no idea,” Ellie admitted, “but you have to talk to her.” I have to focus on repairing things with my mom, but Gloria – that’s up to you. ”
Ethan exhaled sharply. “I’ll call her.” He has a lot of explanations. ”
When he resigned to call, Ellie picked up her own phone and dialed her mother.
“Mom, why don’t you come to New Year’s Eve?” Just a quiet night. Let’s eat, drink and have fun together. ”
A long pause followed. “Do you really mean?” Irene finally asked and her voice was filled with hope.
“I do, Mom.” It’s time. “
New beginning
On New Year’s Eve Irene arrived in Ellie’s house. At midnight, when the fireworks lit up the sky, they raised their glasses together.
“To the new beginnings,” Irene said quietly.
When Ellie looked around the sleepy but happy faces of her children, but happy faces, the calming presence of her husband and her mother, Ellie felt that something had moved.
A week later, Ethan and Ellie met with glory in the café.
“Mom,” Ethan said as he mixed the sugar into his coffee. “Tell us the truth.”
Gloria sighed. “I lied because I was hurt that you didn’t invite me.” I don’t know why I did it, but I did it. I think I let loneliness get the best of me. ”
Ellie crossed her hands. “If you felt lonely, why didn’t you spend time with my mom?” You could both keep society instead. ”
Gloria triggered her head. “I didn’t think.” If I could take it back, I would. ”
The silence settled above the table until Ethan finally spoke. “So what happens now?”
“I’ll call Irene,” Gloria said, deciding in her voice. “We’ll fix it.” I plan a tea party with it and fix things. ”
Ellie inhaled slowly. “I hope so.” Because I don’t let my children catch among their grandmothers. ”
“How should you not!” Gloria agreed. “I’ll fix things.” Just look. ”
Happy ending (and no more eggs!)
Irene and Gloria believe their word and correct their relationship. Now they are Mahjong partners who spend weekends taking care of new recipes together.
And when it comes to Ellie?
Let’s just say that he never wants to see other eggs again.
In the end, what began as an act of anger and betrayal became an opportunity to heal. My mother and I rebuilt a bond that has been quietly eroded over the years, and even Gloria found a way to redemption. It was not easy, but thanks to honesty, forgiveness and willingness to change our family became stronger.
Now our mothers are not only reconciled – they are closer than ever, share recipes, play Mahjong and match the lost time. And as for me? I learned that sometimes the greatest gifts are not packed under the tree, but they come in the form of understanding, other chances and people who love us – even if they make mistakes.