Annerieke was happy that Huib and Margreet were coming together. "How did it go?" she asked Margreet. Margreet picked up a sharp knife and started to cut the leeks that were on the counter. "About that big?" she asked. Annerieke nodded, "Yes, fine, and just tip the pieces into the water. Usually I wash the vegetables first, but with leeks there is often so much soil between the leaves, that washing only makes sense after you've cut them. Besides, washing is even easier if you first cut the leeks lengthwise, and only then those pieces."

Margreet understood, envisioned how it would work in the water, and cut the rings she had just cut once more.

"How it went... very double actually. It was disgusting how my mother criticized and condemned just about everything, how she talked about Huib and you... really nasty! But I felt so much stronger than a few weeks ago when I still lived with them. I wanted to say "when I still lived at home," but there was never a home there in retrospect. Anyway, I was pretty nice able to respond, wasn't I Huib?"

"Pretty nice? You did surprisingly great! Really dear, I'm proud of you, so incredibly proud! She calmly gave them rebuttals again and again and finally described very clearly why she didn't feel like spending the afternoons with them, pleasantly together."

Annerieke and Margreet burst into laughter at the way he said the last words. Tears ran down Margreet's cheeks. "Oh yes, so pleasantly together!" she imitated him, "you'd almost feel like that!" With her sleeves she dried her tears, and, hiccupping with laughter, continued with the leeks. "That was exactly what I needed, just a hearty fit of laughter about it!"

.

Annerieke had done her best to bake a beautiful cake. It looked beautiful, and she knew from experience that the taste was exquisite. Outwardly calm, but inside a little tense, she handed out cake slices, responded kindly to what the guests said. She loved to spoil her guests in this way.

John deed surprised when he saw her handing out cake. "Is it someone's birthday?"

Annerieke smiled, "I like to spoil my guests, and I love to cook and bake. And that's why I bake a cake for you every day! I hope you like it!"

"Every day? Then I'll have to go back to dieting at home!" Mieke grumbled.

"That could be," Annerieke thought, "but if you can enjoy it now, it will be less difficult to take it easy next week, right?"

"Well, if you think it's that simple! You certainly don't suffer from getting fat, well, I do. It's hell to have to lose those pounds every time!"

Annerieke decided not to tell her that she herself had had years of getting fat easily and had struggled with it. Strangely enough, the last few years she had suffered less and less from it. In fact, she had not been on any diet for a long time. She just enjoyed what she ate and drank, and nothing else. She walked on to the seat where Anton and Joke were sitting. Anton winked at her and teased, "You pie-eating fat ass! I'll join you!"

"Anton, how do you dare saying that!" Joke protested.

"Oh yes, he dares to say that," Annerieke laughed, "Joke, I don't know him as well as you do, but well enough to understand how he means it."

"You should have just heard those people at dinner," Joke said softly, "commenting on everything. Don't worry Annerieke, that woman's brain and mouth are on super-negative mode, she just can't help herself. Really bad, as a man you will be married to such a woman... or be their daughter... poor Margreet! I hope she pulls it off this week!"

"It's not easy for her Joke, but she's doing well. She and Huib told me about their visit to their home. Margreet has held up fine. I just hope it doesn't bother the other guests here too much."

"During the meal they did, but they weren't prepared for anything at the time. Couple by couple they came to us, to ask if it was up to them. Hahaha, imagine that! Of course it wasn’t! We advised everyone to pay as little attention as possible, rather focus on each other and on other guests with whom they get along well. I did think it was special that they came to us for confirmation..."

"You see how nice it is that you decided to stay another week? You guys are super!"

Annerieke went back to the kitchen, deciding to share as little as possible with Margreet about her parents' behavior. Margreet, however, asked about it immediately. Annerieke smiled at her, "Your mother has grand plans for next week..."

Margreet interrupted her, "Dieting for sure?"

"Exactly!"

To chapter 71. A gift for Annerieke

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