Part 1
“We do not serve extra food,” my daughter-in-law Maisie said while she shoved a glass of plain water toward me.
I watched her entire family prepare to eat fresh lobster while my son Caden simply added that I should understand my place in the family.
“You really need to remember your position around here, Mom,” Caden muttered without looking me in the eye.
I did not let my anger show and instead offered a small smile while telling them that I had noted their perspective. Maisie did not even try to be subtle about her behavior while she sat there with a fake expression of kindness.
“I hope you are comfortable with just water for tonight,” Maisie said with a sweet smile that did not reach her eyes.
She wanted to humiliate me in front of everyone without looking like the person causing the trouble. It was incredibly painful to see my son nod his head in agreement as if her words were perfectly reasonable.
“It is just better for everyone if we keep things simple,” Caden added while adjusting his collar and staring down at his cloth napkin.
I stayed quiet because I decided it was better to observe and wait for the right moment to speak. My calm reaction seemed to confuse Maisie for a second since she likely expected me to cry or cause a scene.
“Are you sure you do not mind, Morgan?” Maisie asked while leaning in closer with a sharp look.
“Water is perfectly fine for me tonight, thank you,” I replied smoothly while keeping my posture straight and composed.
This entire situation actually began many years ago when I decided to sacrifice everything for the sake of my son. Caden was my only child and I raised him by myself after his father left us when he was only five years old.
“We will manage just fine, my little boy,” I used to whisper to him every night when we lived in our tiny apartment.
I worked three different jobs for a long time by cleaning houses and waiting tables in various busy restaurant kitchens. I wanted him to have the education and the future that I never had the chance to enjoy myself.
“Mom, do you really have to work another late shift tonight?” a young Caden would ask while watching me tie my apron strings.
“I have to work hard so you can go to a great university one day, sweetie,” I always told him with a reassuring warm hug.
I paid for his entire college tuition and supported him through every change he made to his career path over the years. I even stood by him when he met Maisie and proudly claimed she was the absolute love of his life.
“She is the one, Mom, and her family comes from a really prestigious background,” Caden had excitedly announced to me back then.
“If she makes you happy, then I am happy for you, son,” I had replied with complete sincerity.
I never asked for anything in return except for the basic respect that a mother deserves from her child. It seemed that my request was too much for them to handle now that he had reached a higher social status.
The invitation for this dinner arrived a week ago when Caden called me with a voice that sounded unusually kind.
“Mom, Maisie and I really want to fix the distance between us by having a nice dinner together this weekend,” Caden said over the phone.
“That sounds wonderful, Caden, and I would love to join you,” I answered with genuine joy in my heart.
I was naive enough to believe him and got dressed in my best silver dress for the special occasion. I wanted to look elegant for my son and show him that I was still the woman who gave him everything.
When I arrived at the grand restaurant in Baltimore, they were already seated at a table that was clearly meant for five people. Maisie was wearing expensive perfume and gold jewelry that sparkled brightly under the massive crystal chandeliers.
“You are late, Morgan,” Maisie noted coldness in her voice as she glanced down at her expensive gold watch.
“I apologize for the traffic outside, but it is wonderful to see you all,” I said while taking my seat at the edge of the table.
She called me by my first name instead of calling me Mom which felt like a deliberate attempt to ignore our personal relationship.
The restaurant was an impressive place with high ceilings and white tablecloths where every single dish cost a fortune. I recognized some of the wealthy local politicians and prominent business owners sitting at the nearby dining tables.
Part 2
The waiter brought heavy leather menus to the table, but Maisie did not even bother to look at the prices listed inside. She snapped her fingers to get the waiter’s attention and immediately took charge of ordering the meal for the entire group.
“We will take four large lobsters along with a bottle of your finest white wine,” Maisie demanded without asking anyone else for their preference.
“Actually, we only need four lobsters instead of five,” Caden chimed in while looking at the waiter and briefly glancing at me.
“That is right, because we do not provide extra food for guests like Morgan,” Maisie smiled in a cruel way and told the waiter directly.
“Just bring a glass of plain tap water for her while the rest of us enjoy our dinner,” Maisie instructed the waiter before he could even process the order.
“My mother actually already ate a large meal before coming to the restaurant tonight to avoid any extra expense,” Caden intervened quickly to avoid any further questions from the staff.
I felt something break inside my heart when I realized that my son had become a complete coward who would not defend me.
“Yes, plain tap water is entirely fine for me,” I agreed quietly while watching the waiter walk away with a very uncomfortable look on his face.
Maisie’s parents ignored me completely and focused on talking about how exclusive and luxurious the dining room felt to them.
“This establishment truly maintains high standards for its clientele,” Maisie’s mother, Penelope, remarked while examining the polished silverware.
“Only the right kind of people can appreciate an atmosphere like this,” her father, Raymond, added with a proud look on his face.
The lobsters arrived shortly after and the rich smell of melted butter and fresh herbs filled the air around our table. I sat there with my hands resting quietly in my lap while observing the theatrical way Maisie enjoyed her first bite of food.
“This lobster is cooked to absolute perfection,” Maisie praised the quality of the meal out loud for the surrounding tables to hear.
“I completely agree, dear, this is undoubtedly the absolute best restaurant in the entire city,” Penelope chimed in enthusiastically.
