\nWhen my husband Mike tossed $20 at me and demanded I prepare a Thanksgiving feast for his family, I knew I\u2019d reached my breaking point.\n
For years, I had been his personal chef, maid, and doormat, but this time, I decided things would be different. If Mike thought I\u2019d just take it, he was in for a Thanksgiving he\u2019d never forget.\n
For two long years, I had bent over backward to meet Mike\u2019s and his family\u2019s endless demands. Every meal I cooked and every room I cleaned seemed to remind them of what they believed I owed them. But this year, I had finally had enough.\n
\n
When we got married, I believed Mike was my partner for life. For a time, I thought we were happy. Then, gradually, things changed. It started small\u2014his laundry left wherever he pleased, his expectation that I\u2019d handle all the groceries. Then his parents, Maureen and Richard, decided I was there to serve their family as an unpaid cook and housekeeper.\n
Maureen\u2019s comments were always sly. \u201cA wife who cooks for her husband every night is a blessing,\u201d she\u2019d say with a tight smile. Richard\u2019s jokes weren\u2019t any better: \u201cYou should start a catering business since you\u2019re already running one for free.\u201d It stung, but I stayed silent, wanting to keep the peace.\n
The worst came a few weeks before Thanksgiving. Maureen called to announce they\u2019d be \u201cdropping by for dinner,\u201d which, of course, meant hours of criticism of my cooking. When I suggested takeout, Maureen gasped in horror. \u201cTakeout? For family? Oh no, Alyssa. You\u2019ve set the bar too high to lower it now.\u201d Mike simply shrugged, telling me, \u201cYou\u2019ll figure it out. You always do.\u201d\n
Why didn\u2019t I push back? I wanted to keep Mike happy, but my love for him was wearing thinner by the day. And then came Thanksgiving.\n
The guest list was small\u2014just his parents and two brothers\u2014but even a small holiday came with massive expectations. Money was tight, and as we went over the budget, Mike slid a $20 bill across the table. \u201cHere,\u201d he said smugly, \u201cmake Thanksgiving dinner with this.\u201d\n
I laughed, thinking he was joking. \u201cMike, $20? That\u2019s not enough for a turkey.\u201d\n
\n
\u201cMom always made amazing meals with no money,\u201d he replied, leaning back. \u201cDon\u2019t embarrass me in front of my family.\u201d\n
That was it. Something inside me snapped. I wasn\u2019t going to cry or argue. I was going to act. If Mike thought I\u2019d figure it out, I\u2019d show him just how resourceful I could be.\n
For the next few days, I played along, smiling and assuring him everything would be perfect. Meanwhile, I made my own plans. The $20 he\u2019d given me stayed untouched. Instead, I dipped into my secret savings\u2014the account Mike didn\u2019t know about because he assumed I didn\u2019t need my own money. I wasn\u2019t planning just a meal; I was planning a statement.\n
I ordered the most luxurious catered feast from the best place in town: perfectly roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, fresh rolls, decadent pies, and even fancy cranberry sauce. I also bought elegant table settings and decorations, determined to make this Thanksgiving one to remember.\n
The night before, as I set everything up, Mike wandered into the kitchen, smug as ever. \u201cI knew you\u2019d pull it off,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019re lucky to have a husband who believes in you.\u201d I just smiled and replied, \u201cYou\u2019ll see tomorrow.\u201d\n
Thanksgiving morning arrived, and the house looked stunning. The table was a magazine-worthy spread, the food ready to be reheated, and the air filled with the scent of turkey. Mike didn\u2019t notice the takeout containers hidden in the trash; he was too busy basking in the anticipation of his family\u2019s praise.\n
When his parents and brothers arrived, the compliments started pouring in almost immediately. \u201cThe house looks wonderful,\u201d Richard said. \u201cAlyssa, you\u2019re a keeper,\u201d Maureen added with a rare, genuine smile. Mike, lounging like a king, took the credit. \u201cI gave her a tight budget, and she still pulled this off. Wait till you taste it.\u201d\n
As they dug into the meal, the praise continued. \u201cThis turkey is so moist!\u201d one brother exclaimed. \u201cThe cranberry sauce tastes homemade,\u201d Maureen added. Mike, beaming with pride, raised his glass. \u201cTo Alyssa, the best cook in the family!\u201d\n
I stood, holding my own glass. \u201cThank you, Mike. That means a lot. But I\u2019d like to say something.\u201d\n
\n
All eyes turned to me as I began. \u201cThis year, I wanted Thanksgiving to be special. You see, Mike gave me a very generous $20 budget, so I had to get creative.\u201d Forks froze mid-air. Mike shifted uncomfortably. His brothers exchanged awkward glances.\n
\u201cBut as I prepared this dinner, I realized something. Thanksgiving isn\u2019t just about the food. It\u2019s about effort, respect, and appreciation. And I realized\u2026 I\u2019ve been doing this alone for two years.\u201d\n
Mike cleared his throat. \u201cHoney, maybe this isn\u2019t the time\u2014\u201d\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s the perfect time,\u201d I cut him off. \u201cBecause while I cooked, cleaned, and made this house perfect for you and your family, I realized I deserve better. I deserve more than being treated like a maid or a personal chef.\u201d\n
Maureen stammered, \u201cAlyssa, we\u2019ve always appreciated you\u2014\u201d\n
\u201cHave you?\u201d I asked, calm but firm. \u201cBecause it doesn\u2019t feel that way when you criticize everything I do.\u201d\n
Mike tried to deflect. \u201cAlyssa, let\u2019s not ruin the holiday.\u201d\n
I smiled sweetly. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Mike. The meal won\u2019t be ruined. But you should know this dinner? It\u2019s catered. From the place you said we couldn\u2019t afford.\u201d\n
The room fell silent. Maureen and Richard looked at their plates as though betrayed. \u201cCatering?\u201d Maureen sputtered.\n
\u201cYes,\u201d I replied. \u201cBecause I deserved a break. And it was worth every penny. Oh, and this? It\u2019s the last Thanksgiving dinner I\u2019ll ever make for your family. You can figure out next year\u2019s meal yourselves.\u201d\n
With that, I grabbed my purse and walked out, leaving behind a table full of stunned faces.\n
The cool November air hit me as I slammed the door. I felt lighter than I had in years. I drove to the park, poured myself a cup of wine from a thermos, and celebrated a solo Thanksgiving that felt freeing.\n
Mike\u2019s texts and calls flooded my phone, filled with anger and desperation. But I wasn\u2019t going back. Days later, I served him divorce papers. He looked shocked, but I was resolute. For the first time, I chose me.\n
Christmas came, and I decorated for myself. For the first time in years, I looked forward to the holidays\u2014on my own terms.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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