“Got it. I’ll book the entire hall for you, will that do?” Sharon Lindt asked her son.
Josh Batton nodded. “Okay, sure. Thanks.”
“I’m doing this for Annabeth. I hope her husband gets the respect he deserves,” she clarified.
“Mom, you don’t need to be so upfront about certain things,” he told her.
“That won’t do. Some things need to be made clear.”
“Fine. I now know for sure that my brother and I were adopted. Annabeth and Xyla are your real daughters. That is dead certain,” Josh lamented.
“I can’t help it if that’s what you think,” his mother replied.
“Yes,” Wilson Batton said.
Their two sons were speechless.
“What genre is that film of yours?” Sharon asked.
“Wasn’t it all over the news?” Josh replied.
“Yes, but I had my full attention on Annabeth and Xyla, so I didn’t have time to pay attention to you. I’m sorry.”
He felt hurt once again, nodding before letting out a bitter laugh. “Fine. The film is about Three Kingdoms.”
“Oh, Three Kingdoms," she echoed with a slow nod. "What was your role?”
He sighed wearily. “I told you this already. I’m acting as one of the generals.”
“Oh, I forgot,” she said.
Josh didn't bother replying.
His mother peered over at his wife and abruptly changed the subject. “You told me you’ve been losing hair after giving birth, didn’t you? I have ordered shampoo that counters hair loss. It should be arriving soon.”
If Xyla could become a mother-in-law someday, she would learn from Sharon and make sure her son was as good as the men in the generations before him.
“What’s on your mind, Xyla?” Sharon asked her quizically.
She smiled. “I was just thinking that I should learn and emulate you if I become a mother-in-law in the future.”
“I’m sure you can. A good mother-in-law should ensure the happiness of the entire family,” Sharon said with a grin.
“She must know her place. She should always know what she is and isn't supposed to do,” she added as Xyla nodded in agreement.
“I’ll certainly help educate your sons and make sure they treat their wives right.”
“You’re right,” Xyla told her.
“To establish peace in the family, a man must first treat his wife right," Wilson spoke up. "Women become softer when they are treated well.
“Look at those hostile women on the internet.”
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