After what felt like an eternity of relentless chaos, Liam and I finally carved out a sliver of space for ourselves. With our seventh wedding anniversary approaching, we knew we desperately needed a getaway.
Between raising three active children, juggling full-time jobs, and recently living with Liam’s mother, Judith, after a fire destroyed our kitchen, the pressure had taken a toll on both of us—physically and emotionally. So when the opportunity for a week-long vacation in Maui presented itself, we didn’t hesitate.
No children. No responsibilities. No in-laws.
Just Liam and me—together, like it used to be.
The First Three Days of Bliss
The first three days were absolute bliss.
We slept in late, relishing the luxury of waking up without the sound of kids bickering or alarms blaring. Sipping coffee on our private terrace, we gazed out at the stunning beach, the waves crashing rhythmically against the shore. The sun warmed our skin as we indulged in delicious tropical drinks, strolling hand in hand along the moonlit beach. Each kiss ignited a spark, evoking the intoxicating feeling of falling in love all over again.
I finally had the chance to reconnect with my husband, to bask in the intimacy that had been overshadowed by the demands of daily life.
Until I chose not to.
The Unexpected Visitor
On the fourth day, while we lounged on the beach, I heard a voice calling out from behind us—a voice I didn’t recognize.
“Amelia! Liam!”
I felt a chill run down my spine. It was like a scene from a horror movie, where the protagonist slowly turns, dread settling in their stomach, knowing something terrible is lurking right behind them.
Judith stood a few feet away, dressed in a loud floral outfit that could only be described as blinding, with oversized sunglasses perched on her nose.
“I thought you two might get lonely without me!” she chirped, her tone too cheerful for the situation. “So I booked a last-minute flight!”
I stared at her in disbelief, feeling as if she had sprouted three heads. Liam nearly choked on his drink.
“Mom?” he stammered, sitting bolt upright. “What… what are you doing here?”
Judith slipped off her sandals and plopped onto a lounger like she owned the place, stretching out with a satisfied sigh. “I figured you two lovebirds could use some familiar company. Plus, I needed a vacation too!”
I blinked in shock. This was the woman who had encouraged us to go on this trip to reconnect, and now she had flown halfway across the Pacific Ocean to crash our romantic getaway.
“Where are the kids?” I managed to ask, my voice barely a whisper.
“Oh, they’re with Cathy, a friend of mine. They’re fine!” she said dismissively. “I’m just happy to be here with you!”
I turned to Liam, who looked utterly bewildered. His jaw hung slack, and I could almost see the gears in his mind grinding to a halt.
“What are we going to do about this?” I asked, desperation creeping into my voice.
Liam sighed, running a hand over his face. “She’s here now… What can we do? I’ll talk to her.”
He stood up to get Judith a drink, and just like that, our romantic escape morphed into a three-ring circus.
The Invasion of Our Space
Without wasting a moment, Judith made her presence known. She sat too close, disrupted every conversation, and somehow managed to warp every moment into something awkward.
When Liam went to fetch towels, she leaned in and said, “You do know you haven’t replaced me in Liam’s life, right? He still cares about what I have to say. Always has.”
Her tone was saccharine, but the underlying poison was unmistakable. I felt my blood boil.
I was speechless, too astonished to respond.
And that was just the beginning.
What about the beach picnic Liam had planned? Judith took the basket to her room, claiming it as her own.
Sunset sailing? She insisted Liam take her back early if she felt dizzy.
Our romantic dinner reservation? “Oh, Amelia, I called the hotel and added myself to your dinner. I just hate eating alone!”
Even our night at the spa was derailed.
“I’ve been having nightmares,” she lamented dramatically, her large, sorrowful eyes peering up at Liam. “Could you just… stay with me in my room tonight?”
By the third night, I was completely over it.
When Judith knocked on our suite door, I shot Liam a warning glare.
“Don’t open it,” I said firmly.
He hesitated, glancing at the door. “What if she—”
“I said don’t open it,” I snapped, my voice low and icy. Judith had crossed every line imaginable.
Is that Liam? And he was allowing her to.
That night, sleep eluded me as I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, my irritation boiling over.
A Desperate Plan
By morning, I had a plan.
I quietly slipped into the bathroom, closed the door, and made a phone call.
“Endless Horizons Excursions, Maui. How can we assist you today?”
“Hello,” I whispered urgently. “I need your most intense, grueling, and fully packed tour for a whole day. I do not want my mother-in-law to join.”
The operator chuckled. “We’ve got just the thing for you.”
She provided me with an itinerary for the day ahead. All I had to do was fill in Judith’s information and check a box confirming she was in “adequate health.” It was never enough for her to stop bragging about her “perfect blood pressure”—of course she’d be fine.
The next morning, Judith arrived at precisely seven, drenched in sweat and clutching a piece of paper.
“Did you… sign me up for something?” she croaked. “An outing?”
I gasped dramatically. “Oh my goodness! Did you accidentally check the box for an ‘adventure itinerary’ when you checked in? How strange!”
Liam frowned. “Are you saying we should cancel it?”
Judith hesitated, and I could see the internal battle raging within her.
Should she concede defeat? Or continue acting like the indomitable matriarch?
Despite her shaky demeanor, she straightened up. “No… I’m going to go. I don’t want to throw away this opportunity.”
Perfect.
For her, the day ahead would be a challenge:
- At 6 AM, a ten-mile trek across a rugged volcanic landscape, with only one water break.
- By 9 AM, hiking across a lava field, exposed to the full sun.
- A group hula dance lesson at noon, participation required.
- A Hawaiian cooking class at 3 PM that would last three hours.
- And finally, a night safari through the jungle trails beginning at 6 PM.
She left looking like a woman who had just signed up for a war.
The Aftermath
That evening, she returned to the resort looking like she had gone ten rounds in a boxing ring. Her skin was sunburned, her hair a tangled mess, and her voice hoarse.
After three days of her “adventure,” Judith had finally grown quiet.
By the fourth day, she was broken.
“Amelia, please… I can’t take it anymore. I just want to go home,” she pleaded.
I didn’t say, “I told you so.” Not a single snarky remark escaped my lips.
“Of course, Judith,” I replied gently. “I’ll make arrangements for you to leave this afternoon.”
She departed before dinner.
As Liam helped her into the taxi, I leaned down to her level and whispered in her ear, “Maybe I’m not the most important person in Liam’s life, but you should know—I’m not someone you can push around.”
Judith had never attempted anything like this before.
And with that, our long-awaited getaway finally felt like it belonged to just the two of us again.