Last week started like any other summer week. I was invited to a family BBQ. The BBQ was being held at my ex-wife’s stepfather’s house, a man I’d always considered…eccentric, to say the least. I decided to be cordial and accepted the invitation, even bringing along my girlfriend, Sarah, who was also invited. To contribute, I picked up some BBQ sausages from the local butcher, and Sarah, who’s a fantastic cook, prepared a homemade pasta salad. The weather forecast promised sunshine and warmth, so we both dressed accordingly – summery clothes and comfortable shoes, ready for a pleasant afternoon. When we arrived at the house, everything seemed normal on the surface. People were milling about, setting up lawn games, and the aroma of charcoal was already in the air. We greeted a few familiar faces, exchanging pleasantries and small talk. I was starting to think that maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all, perhaps a chance to put any lingering awkwardness behind us and enjoy a nice afternoon. However, that sense of calm was about to be shattered in a way I could never have anticipated.
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As we made our way towards the patio, my ex-wife’s stepfather intercepted us. He greeted us with a strange intensity, his eyes seemingly fixated on Sarah. He pulled us aside, away from the other guests, and that’s when he made his absolutely crazy demand. He stated, in a tone that brooked no argument, that before we could even think about joining the BBQ, my girlfriend MUST submit to a bizarre request. My blood ran cold.
He demanded that Sarah immediately take off her shoes and socks, so he could see her feet. I initially thought I must have misheard him. I mean, who in their right mind would make such a ridiculous request? I chuckled nervously, thinking it was some kind of bizarre joke, but his face remained utterly serious. He repeated his demand, this time with even more emphasis, staring intently at Sarah’s feet. I began to feel a surge of anger building within me.
I asked him to repeat himself, thinking I was losing my mind. I was already embarrassed, but when he said it again, I became infuriated. He claimed he had a foot fetish! I was shocked and disgusted. He said it was a long-standing tradition in his family. This was a lie, he was full of it!
Sarah, understandably, was mortified. Her face flushed crimson, and she looked at me with a mixture of embarrassment and disbelief. She stammered, trying to find the right words to respond, but the sheer absurdity of the situation seemed to have rendered her speechless. I, on the other hand, was completely flabbergasted. I couldn’t believe that someone would actually make such a brazen and inappropriate request, especially in front of so many people. The awkward silence stretched on, punctuated only by the distant sounds of laughter and music from the other guests, who were blissfully unaware of the bizarre drama unfolding nearby. **I told him that was not going to happen**.
In the end, we turned around and left. I haven’t spoken to my ex-wife’s stepfather since, and frankly, I don’t intend to. The whole experience left me feeling disgusted and angry, and it’s safe to say that I’ll never be attending another BBQ at his house again. As for Sarah, she handled the situation with incredible grace and composure, but I know she was deeply shaken by the experience. We spent the rest of the afternoon trying to shake off the awkwardness and enjoy each other’s company, but the memory of that bizarre encounter will forever be etched in our minds.
