Motherthing

A darkly humorous tale of domestic terror wherein the protagonist must resort to extreme means to protect herself and her spouse from the vindictive spirit of her mother-in-law.

Abby Lamb thinks that moving in with Ralph's mother Laura will be the catalyst for a meaningful conversation between her and her mother-in-law. Abby needs a mother figure desperately after going through a difficult upbringing; this is more true now that she and Ralph are attempting to have a family of their own. Abby is very affectionate toward Ralph, Laura, and Mrs. Bondy, who happens to be her favorite patient at the long-term care facility where she works. However, Laura has no desire to get close to her daughter-in-law. She is vicious and unkind, particularly to Abby, and living with her is a terrible experience.

Laura's spirit stalks Abby and Ralph in somewhat different ways when she ends her own life: Ralph succumbs to melancholy, while Abby is haunted by a power out to ruin what she holds dear. The situation is exacerbated by the threat from Mrs. Bondy's daughter to remove her mother from the house, leaving Abby alone herself. With everything at stake, Abby devises a terrifying scheme that would enable her to retain Mrs. Bondy, free Ralph from his mental torment, and permanently remove Laura's influence over the family. It only takes a little creativity, a lot of willpower, and a special chicken à la king dish.