Lewis had been contemplating this moment for weeks, the day when he would introduce Denise to his mother, Sarah. While he was excited about the prospect of Denise and Sarah meeting, he couldn't ignore the small knot of anxiety that had formed in his stomach. He knew his mother well—Sarah was fiercely protective, opinionated, and unyielding when it came to her son's choices. She had single-handedly raised Lewis after his father left, and while Lewis admired her strength and resilience, he also knew that her protective nature could sometimes come across as judgmental.
Denise was everything Lewis had ever wanted in a partner—she was intelligent, caring, and had a quiet strength that drew him to her from the moment they met. She had been nervous about meeting Sarah, knowing how much she meant to Lewis. Despite her nerves, Denise was determined to make a good impression. She wanted to be accepted by the woman who had shaped the man she loved.
The day was sunny, with a light breeze that carried the scent of blooming flowers as they drove up to Sarah's house. The house, a charming two-story Victorian, was as inviting as it was intimidating to Denise. The well-manicured garden, the pristine white picket fence, and the vibrant flower beds all gave the house a welcoming feel, but Denise couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest. She glanced at Lewis, who gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before they walked up to the front door together.
Sarah greeted them at the door, her smile warm but her eyes sharp and assessing. She was a striking woman in her late fifties, with silver-streaked hair that she wore in an elegant chignon and a graceful demeanor that only served to heighten the tension Denise felt.
"Mom, this is Denise," Lewis said, his voice filled with pride as he introduced his girlfriend.
"Denise, it's so lovely to finally meet you," Sarah said, extending her hand.
Denise took it with a smile, though she couldn't help but notice the slight chill in Sarah's touch. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mrs. Smith."
"Please, call me Sarah," she replied, though there was a formality in her tone that made Denise feel as though she was being sized up.
As they moved into the living room, Denise took in the surroundings—the room was tastefully decorated, with rich, earth-toned furniture and walls adorned with framed family photographs. It was clear that this was a home filled with love and memories, but the atmosphere felt heavy, almost oppressive.
They sat down, Sarah on a floral-patterned sofa, Denise and Lewis on a matching loveseat. A tray of tea and biscuits was laid out on the coffee table, a sign of hospitality that did little to ease the tension Denise felt growing inside her.
The conversation began politely enough. Sarah asked Denise about her work, her interests, and her family. Denise answered each question as gracefully as she could, trying to remain calm despite the intensity of Sarah's gaze. She could feel herself being scrutinized, each of her answers seemingly weighed and measured against some invisible standard.
After a few minutes, the conversation took a turn that Denise hadn't anticipated.
"You know, Lewis has always been a hard worker," Sarah began, her tone shifting slightly. "He's accomplished so much on his own, without anyone's help. It's one of the things I'm most proud of about him."
Denise nodded, unsure of where this was leading. "He's an amazing person. I admire his dedication and determination."
Sarah smiled, but it was a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Yes, he is. Which is why I'm always cautious about the people he lets into his life. You see, there are so many women out there—poor, desperate women—who see a man like Lewis as a ticket to a better life. They're opportunistic, willing to do anything to secure their future, even if it means taking advantage of someone like my son."
The words hung in the air like a dark cloud. Denise felt her heart drop, the blood draining from her face. She had expected some level of scrutiny, but this…this was an accusation, a direct attack on her character and intentions. She glanced at Lewis, who looked as shocked and uncomfortable as she felt.
"Mrs. Smith—Sarah," Denise began, her voice trembling slightly. "I assure you, I care about Lewis for who he is, not what he can provide? I would never take advantage of him or anyone else."
Sarah tilted her head slightly, as if considering Denise's words, but the coolness in her expression didn't change. "I'm sure you believe that, dear. But you must understand my position. I've seen too many men fall for women who didn't have their best interests at heart. It's my job as his mother to protect him."
Denise swallowed hard, feeling the sting of tears behind her eyes. She was humiliated, hurt by the insinuation that she was some sort of gold-digger. She had worked hard to build a life of her own, and the idea that someone would think she was with Lewis for his money was almost too much to bear.
Lewis, sensing the distress radiating from Denise, finally spoke up. "Mom, that's enough. Denise isn't like that, and you know it. I wouldn't be with her if I didn't trust her completely."
Sarah looked at her son, her expression softening slightly, but there was still a hint of concern in her eyes. "I'm just looking out for you, Lewis. You know that."
"I appreciate that, but you're wrong about Denise," Lewis said firmly. "She's the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I need you to trust me on this."
Denise, feeling the tears threatening to spill over, stood up abruptly. "I'm sorry, but I think I should go," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Denise, wait—" Lewis began, reaching out to her, but she shook her head.
"No, it's okay. I just…I just need some time," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Sarah watched her with an inscrutable expression. "It was lovely meeting you, Denise. I hope we'll have another chance to talk."
Denise forced a tight-lipped smile. "Thank you for having me."
With that, she quickly made her way to the front door, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt exposed, vulnerable, and utterly humiliated. She had wanted to make a good impression, but instead, she had walked into a situation where she was judged and found wanting.
Lewis followed her outside, his face etched with concern. "Denise, I'm so sorry. I had no idea she was going to say those things."
Denise shook her head, trying to hold back the tears. "It's not your fault, Lewis. I just…I just need some time to think."
"I understand," Lewis said, his voice filled with guilt. "But please know that I don't feel the same way. I care about you so much, and I don't want you to think that what she said reflects how I feel."
Denise nodded, though her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. "I know, Lewis. I just…I need some time alone."
Lewis looked pained, but he nodded in agreement. "Okay. But please call me later, okay?"
"I will," Denise said, though she wasn't sure if she meant it. She needed to process everything that had just happened, and she wasn't sure if she could do that with Lewis hovering over her.
She called a cab and waited in silence as it pulled up to the curb. Lewis kissed her on the forehead before she got in, a gesture of comfort that she appreciated but couldn't fully embrace at the moment.
As the cab drove away, Denise felt a wave of sadness wash over her. She had known that meeting Lewis's mother would be a challenge, but she hadn't expected to be met with such hostility. She cared deeply for Lewis, but she couldn't help but wonder if their relationship could survive the weight of his mother's disapproval.
Lewis watched the cab disappear down the street, his heart heavy with guilt and anger. He knew his mother could be overprotective, but he hadn't expected her to be so openly judgmental. He needed to talk to her, to make her under
stand how much Denise meant to him.