It was a typical interaction to start with; I was assisting my father-in-law with some technical difficulties while my 3-year-old daughter spent some quality time with her grandpa. As I was about to leave, I asked him if he needed help with anything else, to which he responded, “you.” Perplexed, I asked him to clarify. His reply left me utterly bewildered: “You see, it’s been ages, and I’d cherish having you in my bed. I may not be able to do much for you, but it would bring me immense joy. You stroll around your house (which is right next to mine, mind you) in those beautiful dresses, and you’re quite attractive.”
Laughing awkwardly, I made a hasty exit. However, I was left confused, disturbed, and unsettled. My husband and I have been grappling with our share of issues, of which my father-in-law is aware, but throughout our marriage, we’ve been faithful and respectful to each other. There’s never been an inkling of infidelity on either side. My husband had mentioned in the past that his father had made a similar inappropriate pass at his ex-wife, leading to a rift between them. Over the years, their relationship has significantly improved, and they’re currently on excellent terms. The last thing I want is to be the reason their relationship deteriorates again. Moreover, my husband has a short fuse and poor impulse control, and I fear his reaction if I were to tell him about this incident.
I sat him down, implored him to remain calm, and revealed everything. I could see the anger and disappointment etched on his face, but he managed to stay composed. I recounted the entire episode, and we deliberated over our next steps. He decided to confront his father about his disrespectful behavior, and shortly after, I was summoned to my father-in-law’s house.
Initially, he denied ever saying such a thing. However, when I arrived and repeated his words verbatim, he claimed they had been misunderstood. My husband didn’t let him get away with the lie and his subsequent attempt to downplay the incident. We made it clear that he had overstepped the boundaries and that such behavior would not be tolerated in the future. Although he did apologize, it lacked sincerity. Nonetheless, we now know what to expect (and what not to expect) moving forward. My husband appreciated my honesty, and if anything, the entire ordeal brought us closer through our discussions.
Even so, I’m left with shock at my father-in-law’s behavior. I hope I did the right thing.