While the cat's away...

Last week, my FIL bought a motorcycle. This wouldn't be discussion worthy news usually, but in the In-Law household, it's front page material. Why? Because Mrs. B? DID NOT WANT A MOTORCYCLE. Or maybe I should say, she didn't want Mr. B to get a motorcycle. Therefore, much drama and heated arguments "in front of the kids" ensued. (Kids, as in, my husband and me)

Mr. B had a motorcycle for the majority of his younger years and in fact, used to ride every fall to Massachussetts to visit his father. (As vindication for my complaints regarding his cheapness, since the more you read the less frugal they sound, I will include the fact that he slept on picnic tables each night to save money.) He used the motorcycle as an everyday vehicle to get to and from work, the Wafflehouse and wherever else he needed to go. There were some road rage incidents, including an episode where his dad threw a big wrench through someone's back window that had cut him off, almost causing him to wreck. But all in all, he was a pretty responsible rider. Alas, that could not carry on forever and as they had kids their need for a "family car" trumped his need to be cool. So, the motorcycle was sold and a small sedan replaced it in the driveway.

Over the years, his desire for a bike remained and he knew that eventually, the kids would be grown and gone. However, when that day came, Mrs. B had some objections to the idea of his getting a new (used) ride. The first and foremost reason was the lack of money. It was too expensive. But, then a couple of years ago, Mr. B's dad passed away and left them a substantial sum, so money problem solved. He started looking and even slipped a quote on one he was eyeing to her. Only now she had other excuses. There not safe. He's too old. They go too fast. Anything she could think of to stop the conversation before it started. It got to the point that she ran out of reasons, so when he would mention buying one, she just left the room. He finally got sick of it.

So last week, Mr. B called Andy and told him his plan. He had already been to the bank to get approved for a loan. He had the bike picked out. All that was left was the purchase. He went after work and made the deal with the intentions of just showing up at home, fait accompli. Needless to say, the shit hit the fan because Mrs. B? doesn't like to be surprised or disobeyed. She went on a rant like I've never seen in my 8 1/2 years around that family, but all my fil would say was he didn't care if she was mad. He wanted it, he was keeping it.

It took a couple of days, but she finally came up with a suitable "punishment"- she was going to buy something expensive that she'd always wanted. A big screen tv. That was the consequence for his actions. He got a motorcycle AND big screen? WTF? Didn't make sense to me either. The only condition was the SHE gets total control of the remote. Maybe that was the punishment part?

Through it all, I've been giggling like a schoolgirl. Partly because these people can be so selfrighteous sometimes, but mostly cause I like to see Mrs. B get steamed up. The woman can be very controlling with her family and it's kinda gratifying to see her be defied so openly. Maybe it's wrong to take pleasure in others pain, but I don't feel guilty. I'm just glad my husband thinks the same way.