Alice, my MIL takes feeding her family....and most importantly her eldest son (Haim)....VERY seriously. She thinks of it as her life's work and mission....and offers food to those around her almost to the point of alienation....but it's who she is, and how she shows love, so I try to take it with a grain of salt (which is good because her food always needs some anyway.)
Today, as usual, we received a phone call ordering us to come over for lunch...it is not an invitation, but an order....with tears if necessary. Haim declined explaining that he was on his way to work and I was busy. However, after I dropped him off at the office I was feeling a bit guilty for denying Alice an opportunity to feed Maya and me (especially since she has to fit lots of feeding into several weeks a year), so I decided to stop by.
When Maya and I walked in the door she asked "Where's Haim?" (no "Nice to see you, what a surprise!"...and this is a woman who ADORES me...she just can't bear to miss an opportunity to feed Haim) I explained to her that Haim was at work, just like he told her 15 minutes prior...the following dialogue ensued:
Alice " Really, he's at work?"
Me "No, he lied to you, he's hiding in the car because he doesn't want to eat your food" (I REALLY need to control my sarcasm better)
Alice "Oh, he's in the car, well tell him to come in!"
Me "No Alice, he's at work"
Alice "Really, at work? Why is he at work? He needs to eat"
Me "He's not hungry, he'll come eat later" (I left out the part about him eating a Falafel just before I left him at the office)
Alice (VERY dejected) "oh, ok...make sure he comes to eat later"
Maya and I then proceeded to visit with them for a bit, eat our lunch, and be on our way...with a last reminder to make sure that Haim comes by to eat later.
Guess where he is right now?
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