I knew my mother-in-law hated me, but I never thought she would hide shrimp in my food while I was pregnant. When my throat closed and I grabbed my belly, Daniel snapped, “Stop em:bar:rassing my mother.”

shrimp in this.”

Margaret lifted her eyebrows with practiced innocence.

“Shrimp? In roasted chicken?”

A few guests gave nervous little laughs.

Daniel rose halfway from his chair, his face flushing with embarrassment.

“Claire, Mom organized this whole dinner for us. Don’t accuse her just because you’re uncomfortable with attention being on me for once.”

I continue reading …