When Scarlet stepped into her first Thanksgiving dinner as Shaun’s wife, she couldn’t believe her eyes. There was her mother-in-law, Angela, smirking, and next to her husband sat Julissa, Shaun’s ex-girlfriend, giggling at his jokes. But there was something else—no chair for her at the dinner table.
Thanksgiving was supposed to be a delightful family gathering, a time to relax and enjoy some superb food. At least, that was Scarlet’s hope as she imagined her first holiday with her in-laws.
Things always seemed to get complicated with Angela around, especially since she insisted on inviting Shaun’s ex to every family event. While Scarlet had grown used to Angela’s passive-aggressive digs, this Thanksgiving proved to be the pinnacle.
Earlier that day, Shaun left for his mom’s to help set up while Scarlet baked pies. “Make the pecan pie extra sweet,” he teased before rushing out, leaving Scarlet in tranquility to bake without distractions.
Scarlet and Shaun had been married for only five months. She was still getting acquainted with the family. But her relationship with Angela hadn’t been smooth, given Angela’s tendency to criticize Scarlet’s every move and her unusual friendship with Shaun’s ex, Julissa.
Upon entering Angela’s house and seeing Julissa next to her husband at the already crowded table, Scarlet was taken aback. Every seat was filled. Confusion crept in—why hadn’t they saved her a spot?
Scarlet approached Angela, inquiring about a chair just for herself. Angela merely shrugged with a lackluster apology. “Libby came back from college unexpectedly.” Clearly, there were plenty of chairs in the house; pulling another one should’ve been easy.
Trying to let it slide, Scarlet couldn’t ignore Julissa’s laughter with Shaun. It felt deeply disrespectful.
“Why is Julissa sitting next to my husband, but I don’t even have a chair at the table?”
The room fell into an awkward silence so palpable it could be sliced. Angela glared at Scarlet with daggers in her eyes. Scarlet refused to be undermined, but instead of leaving, she marched over and perched herself on Shaun’s lap, surprising everyone.
Shaun wrapped his arm around her without hesitation, unfazed. The dinner resumed with discomfort hanging over the table like a thick fog. Angela was clearly irate, and Julissa didn’t touch her plate. Scarlet and Shaun kept a light banter to ease the tension, sharing a plate as Shaun occasionally kissed her cheek.
Eventually, Julissa excused herself, and Angela followed. As the whispers continued, Scarlet grew more diverted during dessert when Shaun suggested pie on the porch.
“Sorry about the chair,” Shaun said, cementing Scarlet’s notion that home really was where they were together.
When they reentered the house, conversation died down. Shaun announced to the suspicious-looking room, “We’ll be heading out, early drive tomorrow to visit Scarlet’s folks.” However, Angela tried to coax Shaun into staying.
“Are you okay, Mom?” Shaun asked, concern crossing his face.
Jasper interjected with dismissiveness about Angela’s unfounded health scare. Julissa loyally backed Angela, unnerving Scarlet even more.
Later, driving home in silence, Scarlet wondered whether she should bring up Julissa’s persistence. But the way Shaun had acknowledged only her during the dinner spoke volumes of his priorities.
At home, Shaun suggested they unwind with a movie after a shower. Left alone momentarily, Scarlet heard the ping of a message. It was Angela.
Angela’s message stank of disapproval—accusing Scarlet of ruining Thanksgiving, being inappropriate, and making Julissa uncomfortable. Supposedly, Scarlet could have fetched a chair to be “a reasonable adult.”
Sitting still, anger simmered, Scarlet contemplated showing Shaun Angela’s spiteful text. He joined her after showering, bringing warmth and reassurance.
The next day, disheartened yet undeterred, Scarlet shared her story online, seeking solace and solidarity from others. Many expressed support, although a few suggested Shaun could have done more.
As comments poured in, encouraging Scarlet to confront Angela and Shaun about boundaries, she realized this slight needed addressing. Otherwise, the dance around Julissa would continue, potentially at more family meals, until resolved with clear communication.
Upon reflecting, Scarlet knew the solution lay in an honest conversation with Shaun and Angela, asserting her place as Shaun’s wife firmly and unyieldedly in the family circle.
