I have to agree with Medusa!!! The cat was not bothering anyone while she was eating, but your SIL did. Wonder how he would like it if he was pestered while HE was eating. Your cat was just doing what her instincts tell her to do, and that is to PROTECT herself. We have a rule in our house, that the cats live here and you are just a guest, so leave them ALONE... and if people do not like to hear that, too bad. But, I have yet to have a person complain...Too bad for the SIL that the cat remembers how he treated her. I hope, though, that eventually they both might be able to work things out. Good luck....