When Carina’s parents kick her out of high school, she is forced to manage her own existence. Years later, after achieving success in her life and with her wedding approaching, she contacts them, only for them to burst into her life, attempting to seize control of what she has worked so hard for.
“I don’t see why it can’t be the both of you,” she said, dipping a cookie into her lukewarm tea. “Why waste your time on computers? “Those machines will not make your life more comfortable.”
This was not anything new.
My parents despised the fact that I enjoyed computers, and when school ended in a few months, I planned to go college and study information technology.
“Who cares about cyber security, Carina?” my father inquired as he sat down with a pork chop. “Saving lives, honey. That’s what success is. “Not playing on computers.”
“Cyber security is how your important details are protected, Dad,” I used to say, rolling my eyes. “It’s how countries keep their people safe.”
“It’s not good enough,” my mother remarked from the sink.
After graduation, my parents made me leave the house.
“You’ve chosen this path,” my mother said when I bought my IT textbooks. “So you’re capable of taking care of yourself.”
“I don’t think that’s fair, Mom,” I retaliated. “You let Jade live at home for her whole degree.”
“Yeah, well, she was learning how to save lives, Carina,” she said.
Fast forward 13 years. I’ve got a successful career, a beautiful house, and the most caring fiancé, Mark, I could have ever asked for.
“Are you sure that I should invite my parents to the wedding?” I asked Mark as we took a walk one evening.
“Yes, darling,” he said, taking my hand. “Why wouldn’t you? I’m so proud of who you are and where you’ve come from. You’ve done all of this on your own.”
“But they’ve been such horrible people, Mark. I mean, they kicked me out of their home when I got into college. I had to work as a dog groomer to make enough money to cover the rent for my tiny apartment,” I said.
“Yes, I understand that,” my fiancé said diplomatically. “But you’ve made it now. And you’ve made it without them. Look, honey. Our home is yours; it’s in your name, and I love that for us.”
Eventually, I gave in. The excitement of our wedding planning made me realize that I was proud of myself and where I had come from.
“I did it without their support,” I told Mark as I fried bacon for us one morning. “So, I’m going to invite them.”
Mark smiled at me while he poured milk into his coffee.
“Good, this is a big moment for us,” he said.
When my parents and sister came, they were astounded by my home. They assumed I was renting a room in the house. Of course, they did not believe I was capable of anything more.
“Carina! “You own the entire house?” My father questioned, his eyes widening in surprise.
“Yes, Dad,” I responded, pulling my mother’s bag in; they seemed to think they were staying the night. “I worked hard for this.”
“Wow, I didn’t expect this,” my sister exclaimed, looking around.
“So, I thought that we could do dinner at a restaurant tonight, and then come home for dessert and coffee. You guys can spend time with Mark and my in-laws.”
They were going to be over at any moment, the first meet and greet almost underway.
But that’s when the entitlement kicked in.
My mother’s eyes narrowed as she scanned the living room, taking in my television and other things.
“You know, Carina,” she declared, her tone leaving no room for argument. “We deserve to live in comfort after all we’ve done for you.”
Then, she promptly sat down on the couch.
“Mom, what are you talking about?” I was incredulous. “This is my home.” I purchased it with my own money. “You did nothing for me after high school.”
“But we’re your parents,” she argued. “We must live better than our children. That’s our right. “It’s the only right thing.”
“You can’t be serious,” I replied, my voice rising. “Jade still lives with you since you wanted to take care of her after her night shift. And me? You didn’t care. “This is not my responsibility.”
My father intervened at this point, crossing his arms.
“After everything we’ve sacrificed for you, this is the least you can do.”
“Jade also needs a place to stay,” my mother added.
“Jade is an adult,” I said abruptly. “She made her choice to live with you, just like I made my own.”
I felt horrible about talking about Jade in this way, especially because she was sitting on the couch, looking at my plants.
But when my parents kicked me out, my sister chose to stay with them. She scarcely communicated with me, only texting me on my birthday and Christmas morning.
At that moment, the door opened, and my future in-laws walked in. I had always been close to them, wanting to find parental figures in Mark’s parents.
“We’ve been hearing this entire conversation from outside,” Tom said.
“Carina’s achievements are hers,” my future mother-in-law, Carol, said firmly. “She’s worked hard for this, and she deserves every bit of it.”
My mother turned to her, eyes blazing.
“Who in the hell are you?” We have rights to this house; she is our daughter.”
Carol did not flinch; she stood with her arms folded and a smile on her face.
“Why did you only remember it now? Where have you been these years? You cannot take credit for her hard work just because you are her parents. “Carina has earned it.”
My parents were startled to silence, and Jade couldn’t even look up.
“Carina invited you to celebrate her wedding, to celebrate the union of her and our son. To join our families. She did not invite you to berate her and have her hard work claimed,” Tom said.
“She owes you nothing but respect because you raised her, but that doesn’t mean giving up her home,” Carol said.
“But we’re her family,” my mother said, clearly not expecting this level of pushback.
“Only by blood,” Mark remarked, entering the house. “Families assist one another. They don’t bring you down. And you’ve been doing this to Carina for years.”
“You should be so proud of your girl,” Carol went on. “She has done so much for us. I am so proud of her. Tom too. “She’s the daughter I’ve always wanted.”
Mark found his way to me and wrapped his arm around my waist.
I looked at my parents and noticed the dawning knowledge on their faces.
“I love you, I do,” I said. “But this is my life, and you’ve only been in it again for five minutes, and you’re already demanding things of me. Is that fair? I’ve worked too hard to let anyone take that away from me.”
My father sighed heavily.
“We didn’t mean to upset you,” he said.
“Then respect my choice,” I said gently. “Be present for my wedding, but after that, you can go your own way again.”
Following the confrontation, my parents appeared to understand, if only little.
Everyone was quiet when we exited the restaurant, with the exception of Mark and my in-laws. I didn’t see the purpose in cancelling the meal due to the disagreement.
We sat down to dine, everyone lost in their own thoughts, while Carol commented on seeing me in my dress.
“Mark, you’re in for quite a treat. “Carina looks stunning in that dress,” she murmured, diving into her salmon.
I smiled at my future mother-in-law. I had always known mom loved me, but her comments that day made me understand how much.
I was lucky. I had gotten lucky with Mark, but even more so with his parents.
I watched as my mother’s face fell when Carol went on, talking about the dress fitting. But I didn’t have it in me to make her feel better.
After dinner, we left the restaurant, parting ways with my parents and sister.
“We’ll see you at the wedding,” my father said, getting into the car.
“Yes,” I said. “I’ll see you then.”
Let’s see what happens at my wedding.
What would you have done?
