At a family outing, my mother-in-law switched my mild chicken for an extra-spicy option, leaving me humiliated in a crowded restaurant. As my mouth burned and Linda smirked, I decided to plan a dinner that would teach her a lesson she’d never forget!
It all started on what was supposed to be a nice family outing. We were at a popular hot chicken restaurant—one of those places that prides itself on making you sweat from the heat.
Jake, my husband, loves these kinds of places, and unfortunately, so does his mother, Linda.
Me? Not so much. I can barely handle black pepper without needing a glass of milk.
We all gathered around a large table.
There was Jake, of course, his mother Linda, her husband (Jake’s stepdad) Bob, and Aunt Carol. The place was buzzing with activity, the smell of fried chicken and spices hanging heavy in the air.
As we sat down, I could already feel the anxiety bubbling up. Linda had a way of making even the most mundane experiences feel like a gauntlet.
“What are you getting, sweetheart?” Jake asked, flashing me a supportive smile.
“Lite mild chicken tenders,” I said, trying to sound confident.
“I think I can handle that.”
Linda smirked. “Lite mild? Oh, come on.
You should really try to expand your palate a bit. Live a little!”
I forced a smile. “This is me living a little, Linda.
You know I have a low tolerance for spice.”
The waitress came over, her pen poised to take our orders. Jake went first, then me, and finally, Linda. Predictably, she ordered the “reaper” level, the spiciest on the menu.
“Go big or go home, right?” Linda said, giving me a pointed look.
I ignored her and focused on the menu, trying to block out the snide remarks that inevitably followed.
I sighed with relief when she excused herself to go to the bathroom.
The food arrived shortly after Linda returned. Steam rose from the plates, and my stomach churned with both hunger and dread as I inhaled the spicy scent. I picked up a tender, took a cautious bite, and—
Oh.
My. God.
Fire. Absolute fire in my mouth.
I dropped the tender, my hands shaking.
“Water!” I managed to choke out. “I need water!”
Jake looked at me, alarmed. “What’s wrong?”
I couldn’t answer.
Tears streamed down my face as I gulped down water, but it felt like trying to put out a forest fire with a water pistol. Through my watery eyes, I saw Bob and Carol exchanging amused glances. Then, I noticed Linda’s satisfied smile.
The story doesn’t end here — it continues on the next page.
Tap READ MORE to discover the rest 🔎👇
