I’m a mother of a 24 year old daughter “Christine”, Christine moved back to our hometown after obtaining her college degree and met her current boyfriend Simon (30). I’m not a big fan of Simon but we’re civil enough to be around each other.
The other day I called Christine to invite her for lunch and she agreed to come. Unbeknowest to me, she brought Simon with her. I was slightly bothered but only since I was looking for an ordinary mother-daughter lunch to catch up with stuff. I welcomed her and Simon and as far as ordering food, I ordered the usual for Christine but Simon went over the menu and picked many stuff, including a drink. Now this didn’t bother me because I figured that he would be paying for this stuff but apparently, this was not the case.
The bill came and I told Simon and Christine that I was only paying for myself and Christine, Simon asked why was that and I told him because I didn’t invite him. He let out a loud “come on now! What?” And Christine asked if I was serious. I told her yes because I only invited her, didn’t I? She said that I was being rude and unwelcoming to Simon after he took the time to drop what he was doing and come join us but I frankly told her this wasn’t what I planned. She got offended and said they’re both one and I should either pay for both of them or not pay at all, I told her this was not fair to both her and I but she said no this was unfair to !Simon!. I asked if he had money to pay and he shook his head “no”. I apologized and still stuck to paying for myself and Christine but she refused to let me, saying I either pay for both or not pay at all. I asked if that is what she really wanted and she noded. I said okay then, Paid for myself and left. Clearly Christine had no money as well and they had to wait for a friend to pay for them at the restaurant and Christine was upset about that, she called me and said that I not only disrespected simon and made him feel unwelcome, but I also bailed on them by only paying for myself and leaving them stuck in a horrible situation begging a friend for help. She said she’s hurt, Simon’s hurt and they expect an apology and the money their friend paid since it’s a debt they need to return now. I told her it was her doing for bringing uninvited person with her then insisting that I pay fot them both or not pay at all. She argued that I was trying to avoid responsibility and should make it up to them if I care about our relationship but I said it won’t happen because I don’t owe them anything.
Things got worse between us, now I’m thinking I might have caused this by not paying for both of them. AITA?
