Chapter 3: Family Punishments

That night, I was sorting the guest gift list in the study when a housekeeper came to say Father-in-law Richard wanted me downstairs for a family meeting.

I put my things in the safe and locked it, then went down to find everyone already present.

The Lawsons’ living room was all polished wood, heavy drapes, and the faint smell of old money and lemon polish. Father-in-law sat at the center of the living room sofa, lips pressed tight, face stern.

On the left sat Derek and my brother-in-law, Caleb.

Caleb teaches at the local university; he can’t be seen during the day, only comes home at night. When he saw me, his eyes lit up and he smiled.

My mother-in-law sat on the right, eyes red and indignant, as if she’d just been crying.

Father-in-law nodded at me and spoke gently:

"Aubrey, have a seat."

I sat as instructed.

In the heavy air, my father-in-law began in a deep voice:

"When I first came to Maple Heights, I didn’t even have a place to stay. How did I build such a big family business today?"

"By behaving with dignity and acting with caution."

"This is the Lawson family tradition, the family rules I’ve repeated to each of you."

He turned and scolded my mother-in-law sharply:

"How could you treat Aubrey like that in public today? You may be an elder, but didn’t you make her a laughingstock for outsiders? How is she supposed to handle people outside in the future?"

Father-in-law is the unquestioned head of the family.

He rarely gets angry, but when he does, everyone is terrified.

Right now, my mother-in-law’s usual pride and elegance were gone. She replied softly:

"I was just anxious for a moment, didn’t really mean to make her wipe them. How could I know she’d squat down right away?"

"Nonsense!" Father-in-law slammed the table.

"When I came to Maple Heights alone, if Aubrey’s grandfather hadn’t taken me in and brought me into the business, would any of you have what you have today? Whoever makes a mistake must be punished. You’re no exception."

My mother-in-law trembled, sobbing in grievance.

The Lawson family started with herbal supplements. The basement still has the earliest pill presses and grinders. Every time someone in the family messes up, they’re sent down to the basement to grind herbs until your arms feel like jelly and your clothes reek of bitter roots.

Father-in-law sees this as "a lesson to never forget our roots."

Derek, leaning back on the sofa, spoke up:

"Dad, Aubrey didn’t mind it, and Mom is getting old, her hands can’t take it. Why not let it go this once?"

Father-in-law’s face darkened. "No!"

My mother-in-law whimpered through her tears, "I’m about to perform piano at the children’s hospital. If my hands are sore, how can I play? I’m doing this for the company’s charity."

Father-in-law pressed his lips together, silent.

"Let it go, Dad."

Caleb also tried to persuade him.

I said nothing, staring at my tightly clenched knees.

As expected, Father-in-law changed his tone and spoke slowly:

"An exception is out of the question."

"Aubrey, why don’t you take this punishment for your mother-in-law?"

He turned to me kindly.