To give my son the wedding of his dreams, I donated $85,000 of my retirement funds. I got there early and dressed to the nines on the day of the event. Then, for a reason that still hurts my feelings, a man in a black suit came up to me and told me I had to go.
I’m Sheila, sixty-three, and I felt I’d seen enough of life to no longer be shocked. I was mistaken.
Since the death of his father fifteen years ago, my son David has been my entire world. He and I joined together as a team. We supported one another through every challenge, difficult day, and minor triumph. I was very happy when he told me he had met someone wonderful six months ago, with that apprehensive smile. “Her name is Melissa, Mom. I was thrilled for David when he stated, “I think she might be the one.”
Melissa looked beautiful when I finally met her. She quickly complimented my meal and was kind and upbeat. When David entered the room, she had a way of lighting up, and I thought, “This is it.” My son will be delighted with this woman.
David made the proposal three months later. Yes, she replied. And during their engagement celebration, I shed a few happy tears. My kid, however, appeared at my door one evening as though he were carrying the weight of the universe.“Mom, can we talk?”
As I always did when a serious topic needed to be discussed, I served us tea. David was unable to look me in the eye as he sat at my kitchen table. “What’s wrong, honey?” I pushed.
He combed his hair with his hand. It has to do with the wedding. You know, Melissa has this vision. She desires it to be truly unique. And lovely—something we’ll never forget.”
I answered, “That’s wonderful,” but I could already hear the “but” coming.
“But we don’t have the money for it.” At last, he turned to face me. “Melissa has been searching for caterers and locations, and the numbers keep rising. I’m not sure how to satisfy her demands without incurring significant debt. I felt so sorry for him. “How much are we talking about?”
He took a deep swallow. “Considering everything she has planned? My portion would be roughly $85,000.
I didn’t even think twice. “I’ll help you.”
“No, Mom. I’m not allowed to ask you to do that.
“You’re not inquiring. I’m making an offer. I grabbed his hand from the other side of the table. “I’ve saved money. What good is money if I can’t use it to see my only son happy? It was meant to be for retirement.
“That’s your safety net,” David uttered in a broken voice. “That’s everything you worked for.”
“And you’re everything to me.” I gave his hand a squeeze. “My pension is still with me. If necessary, I am able to take on more shifts. I’ll take care of this for you. Tears were streaming from his eyes. “Mom, I don’t know what to say.”
“Assume you’ll have your ideal wedding. All I need is that.
Melissa threw her arms around me and almost knocked me over when I informed her about the money. Oh my God, Sheila! Are you serious? This is amazing! Thank you very much.
She was almost glowing, and my chest began to fill with a wonderful sense of satisfaction. This was accurate. Mothers did this.
The months that followed flew by. Melissa gave me footage of the ballroom with crystal chandeliers that glistened like stars, pictures of intricate floral arrangements, designs of a five-tier cake covered in real gold leaf, and regular updates regarding the wedding plans.
Then she would exclaim, “Isn’t it gorgeous?” “Sheila, all of this is made possible by your money. You’re incredible!”Even though the numbers made my stomach flip, I kept a grin on my face throughout the entire conversation. And even after I became aware that I would only have enough money for one day.
“It was worth it,” I assured myself. “David’s happiness was worth everything.”
I got up early and took great care to get ready the morning of the wedding. I wore the pearl necklace my mother had given me on my wedding day, along with a delicate blue dress that David had always felt accentuated my eyes.
In person, the location was much more stunning. Everything shone. Every surface was covered in white roses. Silk-draped tables were bathed in a warm, golden glow from the chandeliers. Near the entryway, a string quartet played softly.
Every flower, every piece of cutlery, every musical note had been purchased with my money. And even though it was odd to see my life savings turned into table centerpieces, I was ecstatic. David was getting married. I smiled at the other guests as they came and took a seat close to the center of the room. Everyone appeared delighted and joyful.
Then I noticed him coming. A man in a sharp black suit strode purposefully in my direction. He had a deliberately blank, almost contrite, expression.
“Madam? Could I just have a little conversation with you?”
Confused, I stood. “Obviously. Is there a problem?
He motioned me to come a few paces away from the table. His features flickered with unease as he turned to face me.
“I regret to inform you that there has been a problem with the guest list. The bride’s final list does not include your name.
I chuckled, confident that this was an error. “That isn’t feasible. I am the mother of the groom.
His face remained unchanged. “I get it, ma’am. The bride, however, was quite particular. She asked you not to stay at the reception. I went cold. A faraway hum seemed to drown out the room’s sounds, including the music, laughter, and clinking glasses.
I was able to say, “There must be some kind of mistake,” “Let me talk to Melissa.”
I saw her and her bridesmaids across the room; they were all dressed in matching champagne-colored dresses and looked like models. She was laughing, very comfortable.
I strode over on legs that didn’t feel like they belonged to me. “Melissa?”
Something chilly flickered in her eyes for a brief moment as she turned, and then her grin came back. “Sheila. “What’s wrong?”
“I was recently informed by the event coordinator that I was not invited. “I have to go,” he said. There must be some misunderstanding.
Melissa’s smile persisted even though the bridesmaids had stopped talking and were observing us.
She shrugged, “There’s no confusion,” she remarked. “What?”
She let out a sigh as if I were purposefully being challenging. “Look around, Sheila. Take a peek. Is there anyone here that resembles you?
Unable to understand, I looked around the room. “I don’t know what you’re asking me.” Melissa said, “Everyone here is young, beautiful, successful, and rich,” with a clipped tone. “I need this day to be flawless since it’s my wedding. I can’t let elderly people hang around and sap my vitality.”
The bridesmaids moved uneasily. Melissa, however, never took her eyes from mine.
I’m David’s mother, Melissa. I provided the funds for this wedding to you. Everything.
Something uglier twisted into her smile. And I truly do appreciate that. You wanted a good wedding for your son, don’t you? Look around, then. The mission is complete! You don’t get to stay and wreck it in your rags, though.
“Ruin it?”
Her voice trailed off but retained its malice as she drew closer. “Sheila, you’re becoming old. You’re not welcome here. All of my family members and friends are young and energetic.
You don’t even look as well as my mother. I will not allow you to sit here and cause discomfort to everyone. Additionally, I don’t want your ugly face to ruin my wedding pictures.” My eyes were burning with tears. I could feel the event planner looming behind me, waiting for me to comply.
“Please,” I said in a whisper. Don’t do this, please. I must speak with my son. “Where is he?”
Melissa’s face remained stern. “David is occupied with welcoming visitors. It’s probably time for you to leave.
I don’t recall leaving or calling a cab to return home. I was standing in that glistening ballroom one minute, and then I was sitting on my driveway with tears in my eyes. I cried until I had nothing left, then crashed on the couch inside my empty house. What had caused my blindness? The updates, pictures, and months of gratitude had all been a charade. My money had been her only concern.
David, too. Was he aware? Was he involved in this? No. That seemed unbelievable to me. Not my son.
Then, though, where was he? Why hadn’t he come to find me?
That night, still wearing my mother’s pearls and my blue dress, I sobbed myself to sleep. The following morning, I was awakened by the strident ringing of the phone, and David’s name appeared on the screen.
“Mom! How are you feeling, hello? He sounded happy and quite normal.
“What?” I cried so hard that my voice sounded raspy.
“Have you recovered? Melissa informed me that you weren’t feeling well and that you became lightheaded at the ceremony. She stated you didn’t want to bother me while I was busy with visitors, so she called you a cab so you could go home and relax. I spent the entire night worrying. I apologize for not being able to call you immediately. How do you feel right now?
I was speechless for a moment because the deception was so well-crafted.
I spoke carefully, “David,” “that’s not what happened.”
On the other end, there was silence. “What do you mean?” then. “I was ill, so Melissa didn’t order a cab for me. I was thrown out by her. I wasn’t on the guest list, she informed the event coordinator. She told me I was too old and didn’t belong among her young, attractive visitors when I questioned why. She claimed that my hideous looks would ruin her wonderful day.
More quiet. His respiration was irregular and harsh, and I could hear it.
“She WHAT??”
“She said I was embarrassing and old. because I didn’t look as good as her mother did. While you were welcoming visitors, she had me escorted out by security. I cried by myself last night, David.
“Mom.” His tone had entirely shifted. “Avoid crying. I will give you a call back in five minutes. I’ll get to the bottom of this, I swear.”
It seemed like five hours in those five minutes. His voice was trembling with anger when he called back. “I just watched the security footage,” David made public. “All admissions are monitored by cameras at the venue. I requested that they forward the files to me.
Mom, I saw it all. I saw you take a seat. I saw the coordinator come toward you. And I saw Melissa motion for him to come away and instruct him to take you off. Then I saw you leave by yourself. Once more, tears streamed down my face. I was believed by my son. He was aware of the reality. At last.
David continued, “She lied to me,” in a voice that broke. “She lied while staring me in the eye. I’m currently facing her. Hold on to the line.
I heard shuffling, followed by David’s harsh, cutting voice. “MELISSA?!”
“What? “What’s wrong, David?” She sounded worried and innocent.
“I am aware of your actions at the wedding. I am referring to the fact that you evicted my mother. Melissa, I’ve got the video. I witnessed everything. There was an electrifying hush. Melissa’s tone then became defensive. “She didn’t understand. I only wanted to assist her.
“Don’t lie to me!” I winced at David’s yell. “You waved to the coordinator, I noticed. You pointed toward Mom, I noticed. As you and your buddies laughed, I watched her leave by herself. How were you able to do that?
“Fine!” Melissa’s tone had changed entirely. “You’re looking for the truth? David, she’s a BURDEN! She is depressed and elderly, and she is not a part of my family or friends. You have no idea how humiliating it was to watch her sit there.
My mother is more attractive, younger, and more attractive. Your mother is simply useless. Although she provided money, she is not entitled to a place at my table. I wasn’t going to allow an elderly woman to ruin my day. It was astounding how nasty her voice was. I put my palm to my mouth and started crying again.
David yelled, “Melissa,” his tone suddenly deadly calm, “my mother sacrificed her retirement funds so that we might have that wedding. All she wanted in exchange was to watch her son get married. You also made her feel ashamed. You misled me. You demonstrated your true self to me. The marriage is over.
I heard Melissa’s frantic voice. “What? You’re not serious! Yesterday, we were married.
“My seriousness has never been higher. Someone doesn’t deserve to be my wife if they disrespect my mother in this manner. I’m requesting an annulment.
“You’ll be sorry! You know how I’ll appear as a result of this?
“No. That’s what you did alone. Mom? Are you present?
Whispering, “I’m here, dear,” I said.
“I’ll be over. I’m heading home after packing my belongings. David apologized profusely and hung up.
That following day, he returned to live with me. He had sought for annulment within a week. Melissa initially resisted. She even sobbed, pleaded, and made threats. However, the truth had already swept like wildfire across both households. For all the wrong reasons, her flawless, glitzy wedding became the talk of the town.
Three weeks or so after the wedding, David and I sat at my kitchen table one evening and drank tea.
He muttered, “I’m sorry it took me so long to see who she really was,”
“You couldn’t have known.”
“But you gave everything for us, Mom.”
I gave his hand a squeeze. “Perhaps it was a disguised boon. Imagine the kind of wife she would have been if she had been able to treat me that way after everything. What sort of mother will she be in the future?
Slowly, he nodded. “You’re correct. Finding out now is preferable to waiting ten years and having two children later.
After a few period of comfortable silence, David turned to face me and began to cry. “Mom, you are loved. And I’ll make sure that no one ever treats you that way again.”
“I understand, my love. I also adore you.
Three months later, I’m still reflecting on everything that transpired. Do I feel bad about handing David the money? Not for a moment. Because something more valuable than a wedding was purchased with that money. The truth was purchased. Before he squandered years of his life with someone so vicious, it made my son realize Melissa’s true nature.
Melissa’s dream came to an end. She lost the future she believed she had secured, as well as the affection and respect of my son. However, I regained my son. Furthermore, that is more valuable than all of the money in the world.