Not So Different, yet as Different as Can Possibly Be

14-Home for the Holidays

"That's why you hate her, because she's 'not enough' for you?" Yndethel asked while standing up. "How is she not enough? She's really smart, like crazy smart, she's works at a college where she teaches biochemistry! Do you know what a golgi complex is? I didn't till she told me!

"She's super beautiful and really cool too! She can always plug a USB the right way first time, she has an amazing singing voice, she has great taste in movies. I literally could not have 'gotten better' if I had tried. And even if I could, I wouldn't, because I love her!

"She is an amazing person, and I love her. How, in the realms, is that not enough for you!"

Thalista was speechless, as were Féathril and Gnella. Thalista sighed deeply and went into the kitchen to take care of her dishes. Féathril looked at his son, and decided he would have to talk to him later. Gnella looked at her husband, and decided she would be using the things she had packed at the earliest available opportunity.

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Thalista sat in the car and waited for her husband. They had to pick up their older son Cellethan from the airport. Féathril had decided to talk to Yndethel first.

He was cleaning up after dinner when his father walked in. Féathril didn't like that his own son was washing dishes while his daughter in law was here. In his opinion, the dishes were her job. "Son, we need to talk."

Yndethel turned off the faucet and dried his hands on a rag. He put the rag on his shoulders and turned around to face him. "Yes?"

"What happened back there was not ok. Your wife can't go mouthing off to us, you need to reprimand her."

Yndethel was taken back. "Reprimand?" Was he serious?

"Yes, show her what's what, make sure she knows her place."

"She's an adult, dad, she's not a child and I'm not going to treat her like one."

Féathril sighed. "All I'm saying is if you don't get a handle on her, she will get out of control. You've got to be a man here, and remind her what's what."

"How is that being a man?"

"It shows you wear the pants here. If you don't wear the pants, then she will. Is that what you want? To be some beta boy bossed around by your wife?"

Yndethel kept silent. He knew better than to lie, but in this situation telling the truth might be a bad idea.

Féathril sighed and went out to the car. It was a long drive to the closest airport, nearly two hours, and then there was traffic.

Yndethel focused on the dishes, and soon, they were done. He looked at the calendar, and decided to pass the time by making cookies. They were going to need them in three days anyway.

Gnella loved snickeredoodles, they were her favorite, so he decided to make those first. As he put the ingredients in his parents' mixer he thought more about her.

She hated it here. Why did they come here every other year when they both hated it here? For him? For his parents? Maybe it would be better to drive to her parents' place from here and stay with them.