“We Came to Celebrate, But You Won’t Open the Door!”

Karen had always known that marrying Joseph meant marrying into his family, but she hadn’t quite anticipated what that would entail. At first, the visits from Joseph’s parents, Cameron and Lisa, along with his brother Jackson and Jackson’s wife Layla, were sporadic and manageable. However, as time went on, these visits became more frequent, especially around the holidays.

It started innocently enough. A Thanksgiving dinner here, a Christmas brunch there. But soon, every holiday, no matter how minor, became an excuse for Joseph’s family to descend upon their home. Karen found herself trapped in a cycle of planning, shopping, cooking, and cleaning, all to ensure that the celebrations went off without a hitch.

Joseph, ever the peacemaker, tried to mediate between his wife and his family. He suggested they host fewer gatherings or that the family contribute to the meals. However, his suggestions fell on deaf ears. Cameron and Lisa, accustomed to being pampered during these visits, brushed off the idea of contributing. Jackson and Layla, meanwhile, seemed to relish the free hospitality, never once offering to help with the expenses or the workload.

As the holidays approached, Karen felt her resentment growing. She had begun to dread the sound of the doorbell, knowing it heralded another round of cooking and cleaning, with little appreciation shown for her efforts. Her relationship with Joseph became strained as she felt he did not do enough to support her or set boundaries with his family.

One Easter weekend, Karen reached her breaking point. After spending the entire day before preparing for the family’s arrival, she was exhausted and frustrated. When the doorbell rang early Easter morning, she found herself frozen, unable to move towards the door. Joseph, surprised by her inaction, went to greet his family himself.

As the day wore on, Karen remained distant, her usual hospitality replaced by a cold indifference. The atmosphere at the dinner table was tense, with Joseph’s family picking up on Karen’s mood but choosing to ignore it, focusing instead on the lavish meal before them.

After the family left, the argument between Karen and Joseph was inevitable. Karen expressed her frustration at being taken for granted, at being expected to cater to his family’s every whim without so much as a thank you. Joseph, feeling caught between his wife and his family, struggled to find a solution that would satisfy everyone.

The next holiday, Karen made a decision. She booked a small vacation for herself, leaving Joseph to explain to his family why she wouldn’t be there to host them. The reaction was one of shock and disbelief. Cameron, Lisa, Jackson, and Layla couldn’t understand why Karen would “abandon her duties,” as they saw it.

The rift between Karen and Joseph’s family grew wider, with neither side willing to compromise. Holidays, once a time of joy and celebration, had become a source of tension and division. Karen and Joseph’s marriage suffered under the strain, with both feeling misunderstood and unsupported.

In the end, the door remained closed more often than not. The family gatherings became a thing of the past, replaced by polite, distant interactions. Karen had hoped for understanding, for a recognition of her efforts, but it never came. Instead, she found herself more isolated, both from Joseph’s family and, increasingly, from Joseph himself.