At our New Year’s Eve family dinner, I announced that my boyfriend and I planned to get our marriage license in early spring and tie the knot on May Day. My mom waved her hand grandly. “Sure. After the New Year, I’ll transfer that apartment we got in the demolition compensation to you as your dowry!”
As tears of joy filled my eyes, my sister-in-law, who had been busy all day, looked up and objected.
Mom rolled her eyes. “It’s my family’s apartment. His dad’s gone, so I decide who gets it. Who are you to stick your nose in? You barren hen!”
My sister-in-law slammed her bowl down. “Fine! Then every last one of you, young and old, can pack up and get out of my house first.”
