“And I’ve been your food source? Your maid? What else?”
“Sweetheart,” Carol said with false sweetness. “I raised him for you. The least you can do is show some appreciation. Share what you have. That’s what family does.”
Oliver nodded. “She’s right, babe. You’re not losing anything. We’re just… redistributing.”
I looked at them both. “This isn’t over.”
Then I turned, walked back to my car, and slammed the door behind me so hard I thought the windshield might crack.
By the time I pulled out of the driveway, the plan of my sweet revenge was already formed in my head. I was ready to act.
***
The next evening, Oliver came home whistling. But the smile dropped the second he looked out the window.
I was sitting on the couch, sipping tea. Calm. Collected. Waiting.
“Oh, don’t worry. It’s safe. It’s still in the family.”
“What do you mean, still in the family?”
The color drained from his face. “You… you did what?”
“Didn’t you always tell me that everything best should go to Mom. Well, now she’s got the best. Your dream car, with a bow on top.”
Oliver staggered toward me. “You can’t just… She thinks it’s hers?”
“Oh yes,” I smiled. “She was thrilled. And she’s waiting for you to bring her the papers. Don’t make her wait too long. It’s your mother, you know.”
Oliver buried his hands in his hair. “Oh God… I’ll never get it back. If she finds out this was a mistake, she’ll destroy me!”
“Then don’t make it a mistake. Do the paperwork. Make it official. Isn’t that what you taught me? Family shares.”
Oliver looked at me with wide, horrified eyes. Meanwhile, I picked up my purse, stood, and slung it over my shoulder.
“Now it’s your turn to pay the bills, Oliver. Every last one of them. I’m done.”
“And what will YOU do?”
“I’ll be saving for MY car. Maybe one day I’ll let you ride in it… If you behave. This time, I shared exactly the way you taught me.”
And I left my husband standing there, torn between his pride and his mother, knowing either way, he had already lost.
Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.
