When Julie’s soon-to-be daughter-in-law tells her what she needs to wear for the wedding, Julie is left horrified at the black, shapeless mess of a dress. But instead of letting Elizabeth have the final say, Julie takes matters into her own hands.”That girl is going to give you a run for your money, Julie,” my friend, Gloria, told me when I told her about Elizabeth, my soon-to-be daughter-in-law.”Oh, most definitely,” I agreed. Elizabeth was always so nice to me when my Jimmy was around. She would smile and engage in sweet small talk. But when he wasn’t, her demeanor changed entirely. “It’s like she becomes a different person, Glo,”
I said, making some tea.Elizabeth would always become cold and distant, shutting me out. I always wondered if she felt threatened by my place in Jimmy’s life because we were so close. “But that can’t be the case,” Gloria said, helping herself to the jar of cookies on the counter. “You haven’t been the overbearing, controlling mother-in-law type. It’s clear to see.”I agreed with Gloria, of course. Whatever the reason, I always tried to let it slide, for Jimmy’s sake. But then the wedding preparations started, and things took an even bigger turn.”Mom, Elizabeth has everything planned, but she may ask for your opinion on the flowers. And she did say that she wanted to see mother’s dresses. So, she’ll probably come in and look at what you’re planning to wear for the wedding. Is that okay?”