Meddling

LV's parents were still planning to move before too long and I was really looking forward to the day when LV and I could finally be alone without having to worry that his mother would be popping into our living quarters unannounced at her slightest whim. I was tired of having to bake bread for her while she sat and read The Budget or wrote letters. I was tired of having her inspect all the milking equipment after I had washed it. I was tired of the constant pressure I felt of trying to be perfect and not get the frowning disapproval of his mother at her son's scatter brained young bride. I tried to convince myself it wasn't as bad as it felt but was having a really hard time.

And then the day came when LV and I had to go to Somerset to take care of having my name changed and do some grocery shopping and getting the last few things I needed for my kitchen. It was late afternoon by the time we got home and there was a big van setting outside the house. Not wanting to have to barge through all of their visitors we asked our driver to back up to the basement door where we unloaded everything. most of it could wait in the basement until their visitors had left. We each took several bags and headed upstairs. His mother and several women were working at the kitchen sink with their backs turned toward us. We hurried through the living room where the men were sitting visiting and headed up to our cozy little home.

I quickly put the groceries away and fixed a little something for us to eat before LV had to go start feeding the cows. Going to our bedroom I wanted to change my clothes and then go to the barn with LV. I had nothing that needed to be done in the house and looked forward to spending a little extra time with him. I removed my covering and cape and apron and laid them on the bed. I was in the process of getting into my everyday dress when I heard a whole bunch of footsteps coming up the stairs and his mother talking. I clutched my dress to myself and darted into the closet sliding the door shut behind me.

I listened as she gave the women a tour of our living room while giving her opinion of my tastes of what I thought was homey. I could hardly believe my ears when I heard the roll top desk being opened as she was showing them what a nice desk LV's grandpa had given him. And then the closet in our living room where they admired a few things I had resting on the shelf.

The bedroom door opened and I held the closet door shut as hard as I could as they entered. "You'd think with as little as she has to do she could at least take care of her clothes instead of just throwing them on the bed." she continued. By now I was furious as I continued to hold the closet door shut. She couldn't get it open when she tried. I wondered what she would do if my hand slipped and the door opened and everyone would see me undressed. It was too awful to imagine and I was relieved when she gave up and went to show them the kitchen.

LV was still sitting at the table finishing up a piece of pie. "I didn't know you were at home already!" came her surprised remark. "I realized that," came LV's cold reply. I had never heard his voice like that before and was thrilled to know he didn't think his mother's actions were okay.

The tour was ended and my kitchen cupboards weren't snooped into that day as they hurried back downstairs. LV came to see if I was okay. And together we went to do the chores. Both of us glad it wouldn't be long before days like this would be history.