Leave The Cookies Out Of It!

Mrs Claudia Banner bit into one of the cookies her daughter-in-law offered her. Her face immediately revealed that there was something not right.

"Good lord!" Mrs Banner exclaimed after washing down the bite with some hot coffee. "A little overdone, I would say, Tisha. Never mind. I brought some Arnott's with me just in case.

Tisha looked a little crestfallen and set the plate of fresh choc-berry and nut cookies down on the table before resuming her seat on the sofa next to her husband's mother.

"These cookies are a family recipe passed down from mother to daughter for about 150 years."

"Oh really!" Mrs Banner laughed. "Well, Arnott's wins! But seriously, those cookies are so hard, your family must have teeth like horses! I hope you won't be force feeding them to my son; his teeth have always been a little fragile you see."

"On the contrary, my husband loves these cookies. Since before we were married he's been enjoying my baking. And just so you know, my families' teeth are just like anyone else's. Only horses have horse teeth."

Tisha took a sip of tea and stared ahead in embarrassment, her face turning a little pink.

"I see." Mrs Banner's voice didn't cause a break in the awkwardness, it only added it. "In any case, I would suggest you update the recipe at least. Or, go to the supermarket and buy biscuits for your guests like everyone else."

For a little context, Tisha had married into the Banner family because she was deeply in love with Michael Banner, and for no other reason. The rest of the family (except perhaps sweet old Mr Henry Banner) didn't excite her so much, nor did they seem to treat her as one of them--especially her mother-in-law.

This was the second time the woman had dropped in unannounced in almost 2 weeks since Tisha and Michael had returned from their honeymoon. Tisha was fast getting worried that this would be a habit, especially when Mrs Banner did scarce else but criticize her home-making skills.

"I see you have done nothing with the garden yet," Mrs Banner had quipped when she'd come over for the first time.

"Well, Michael and I only got home 3 days ago and I'm planning to redecorate the inside before working in the garden."

"All right, but just to let you know, there are weeds coming through on the front path, and that's not a fit welcome for anyone. You'd better get to it as soon as you can."

This is merely an example of the numerous digs and comments Tisha received from Mrs Banner after having been in the family but such a short time.

Darned if she let that woman continue to 'drop in' and spew insults whenever she pleased!

After Mrs Banner had swallowed the last of the coffee and took care of at least half the pack of Arnott's, Tisha stood up.

"I'm glad you stopped by Claudia. Next time you'll have to bring Henry with you."

"That old goat?" Mrs Banner exclaimed. "He hasn't been anywhere since your wedding."

"I do have a request though: it would be so helpful to me if from now on you could call first before you come over? Just so I know I'll be home etc.."

Mrs Banner looked confused. "But you have no job. Where would you be other than home? With all the work to be done around here--"

"Please Claudia," Tisha successfully interjected. "It's common curtesy to phone first before going to someone's house."

"But this is my son's house! I--"

"And I'm the one home during the day when you visit."

Mrs Banner grabbed her Arnott's and stuffed them into her handbag. She got to her feet and marched to the door without another word, disappointment written all over her face.

"Please tell Henry that Michael and I would like you both for dinner soon."

With her nose held high and a smirk, Mrs Banner acknowledged this with a "humph" and weaved her way through the front garden to her car sitting in the driveway.

Tisha watched her leave from the open door and let out a long breath. She'd said what needed to be said. She smiled as she thought that even had she known Michael's mother was like this from the start, she still would have married him without hesitation.

Then she let the door fall shut with a thud for good measure, and went to snack on a choc-berry and nut cookie.

By Misty Rumsley 2025