The rent Lucy was receiving from her own house was going to her son, as Lucy wanted. She expIained that it was to show gratitude. As her son, Connor was working as an IT technician, for long hours, Lucy was staying alone with her daughter-in-law, Eve, who was a housewife.

Connor said to his mother that she would stay in the first floor, as he added, “So, you don’t have to worry about your knees and the stairs,” while carrying her luggage.

At first, everything was great. Eve was incredibly nice against her, and she was attentive. She was preparing the food, and cleaning the dishes, and refused when Lucy offered her help.

But Lucy was trying to help her with every house work. But with time, things changed, where Lucy was doing chores by herself, but her old knees were tired now.

Few days before the Christmas arrived, Eve was watching TV, when she called her mother-in-law, Lucy.

“Lucy,” Eve started, “After you finish the laundry, please go out and buy groceries for tonight’s dinner and Christmas dinner, too. Nine people are coming over. I’II give you the money before you leave.”

Lucy was shocked, because they were doing the shopping together. But this time, she was not asking, she was ordering.

Then Lucy realized that the longer she stays in their house, she will be the maid of her daughter-in-law. She was not a guest anymore.

But she wanted to give a lesson to Eve, before she left. As she was coming from a large family, cooking and preparing for many people was something Lucy knew.

When the Christmas arrived, the house was filled with the delicious smells of the food Lucy had prepared.

When the guests started to arrived, they went into the dinner table. “Aunt Lucy,” said one of the friends of her son, “This food is amazing! Did you cook all of it yourself?”

“I did, Ross,” Lucy said with a smile.

She saw her son Connor was proud of his mother, after the praising she received. Lucy was happy too, but she was also missing her husband, since this was the first Christmas without her husband, Ron.

“Lucy,” Eve said, “I doubted that you wouId make so many delicious things!”

“Thank you, Eve,” Lucy responded, as she had a plan on her mind, to teach Eve a lesson.

After the dinner, Eve and Lucy were cIeaning the table, while Connor was attending to their guests in their living room. When Lucy looked at Eve, she saw that Eve had a face of envy.

The compliments and the people’s enjoying Lucy’s food made her envy. “Lucy, can we talk?” Eve asked later.

“Sure,” Lucy said. “What’s on your mind, Darling?”

“I didn’t reaIize how much you do around the house. I’ve wanted to take it easy, so I added it to your load. I’m so sorry.” She said.

Then Lucy smiled, as she figured it out that Eve had her Iesson. “It’s more than fine,” Lucy started, “I just need you to know that as much as I want to help around the house, I’m old, and my knees aren’t the same anymore.”

“We make a great team,” Eve said, “Come on, let’s go put your feet up. I’ll make you a cup of tea.”

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