My mother-in-law, Diane, didn’t find it nearly as charming.
Diane had been staying with us since Brenda came home from the hospital.
In the beginning, I was incredibly grateful for her help.
She cooked.
She cleaned.
She folded mountains of laundry.
She kept reminding me that I had just given birth and needed to rest whenever I tried to do too much.
But the morning she discovered Ben beneath the crib, her expression immediately changed.
“You shouldn’t encourage that.”
“I’m not encouraging it,” I said.
“Then make him sleep in his bedroom.”
“I have.”
She glanced toward Ben.
“Obviously not firmly enough.”
“He’s excited about his sister.”
Diane frowned slightly.
“Or maybe he’s jealous.”
The suggestion irritated me immediately.
“Ben adores Brenda.”
“I didn’t say he doesn’t.”
She lowered her voice.
“Children can love someone and still resent how much attention that person receives.”
