In Morgan Shaffer's portrayal of a wife put into the "pressure-cooker," Emma stresses around her house, particularly the kitchen, while cooking dinner for her relatively new in-laws. After spending an entire anxious day attempting to cook as well as her Mother in law, Caroline, she was let in on the secret that her mother in law was actually a lousy cook. The story is a feel good story about the tensions of family, and leaves the reader hoping for in-laws like Caroline and Larry.
I liked the subject of the story, and I think everyone can relate to stressing out over an afternoon with a girlfriend/boyfriend's parents. The portrayal of the inner anxiety that comes with trying to impressed a loved ones family is accurate and well cast. I especially liked the notion that Emma gets lost in her thoughts and is only brought back by her husband, Tim. I feel like most people can relate to being completely absent in a conversation and getting wrapped up in some sort of inner turmoil.
I thought the story came a little dangerously close to reading like an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond without the conflict between Rays mother and Deborah. I think this isn't necessarily a bad thing, I was glad that there wasn't a wife to mother in-law estrogen explosion, but i think that the story could use some more conflict. Maybe if dinner didn't get finished at all, or if the chicken was burnt black it would allow for a more compelling climax.
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