My MIL Ordered Me a Dress Four Sizes Too Small for Her Party, Saying, ‘It’s Time for You to Lose Weight’ – Karma Didn’t Take Long to Catch up with Her - Page 8

Clara stood there with Dave behind her.

Her face was still flushed from the argument with the police.

But now she looked angry.

Simon glanced once more at the screen.

Then at his mother.

“Mom…”

His voice was quiet.

“Did you want Jennifer to lose weight?”

He paused.

“Or did you just want her to disappear?”

Clara said nothing.

For the first time that entire evening, neither did I.

Finally, she crossed her arms.

“I was trying to make the photograph look nice.”

Simon stepped closer to me.

“Then listen carefully.”

Clara stared at him.

“From now on, you do not comment on Jen’s body.”

He continued.

“You do not buy clothes designed to change the way she looks.”

“You do not decide where she belongs in photographs.”

“And if you cannot respect those boundaries, we will stop coming to events like this.”

Clara looked stunned.

Simon didn’t look away.

Then Dave spoke.

“Clara, this is our fortieth anniversary.”

He shook his head.

“I think I’ve earned one photograph of my actual family instead of your carefully arranged version of them.”

At that moment, the photographer approached cautiously.

“How would you like everyone positioned?”

Clara inhaled, clearly preparing to answer.

Dave interrupted her.

“Ask them.”