I’m 49 and just got out of a 20-year marriage with Isabel, or “Izzy”. The relationship had completely flatlined, and honestly, my wife seemed just as done with it as I was. So, after the split, I started dating a woman named Jenna.

Funny enough, I met her at a party while I was still technically married, hosted by a mutual friend. Fast forward to my daughter Maya’s 15th birthday, I figured it was a good time to introduce Jenna to my family.

Family vacation packages

We showed up at the party, and from the jump, things felt off. My ex’s family keeps side-eyeing Jenna and mumbling to each other. It wasn’t typical jealousy vibes either it felt like they’d seen a ghost or something.

Then, my ex sees me with Jenna and imme- diately screams “You idiot!” and burst into laughter. The sound was loud and uncontrollable.

Everyone turned to her in confusion. My kids Caleb and Maya had been at a table eating burgers, but they stood and looked just as perplexed as everyone else.

I noticed my girlfriend’s smile had frozen. She looked around and swallowed, nervously. But before I could ask her or Izzy what was going on, I saw Gloria, Izzy’s mother, stomping toward us.

Her face was red due to anger. She stopped just inches from Jenna and, without warning, slapped her hard across the face.

My girlfriend staggered back, her hand flying up to her cheek. I moved forward, trying to shield her, but Gloria wasn’t finished.