My grandma’s 85th birthday was supposed to be a quiet dinner, but my family had other plans. They decided to take her to the fanciest restaurant in town, and I could tell they were up to something. Sure enough, when the bill arrived, they all pretended to be broke, expecting me to foot the bill.
I had overheard my cousin Katie scheming with her brother Mark to leave me with the tab. They thought I’d be the perfect target, assuming I’d jump in to save the day. But I wasn’t having it. I watched as they ordered expensive wine and premium cuts of meat, all while keeping an eye on the growing bill.
When the check came, they all acted clueless, claiming they couldn’t afford to pay. My aunt even threw in a guilt trip, saying it was for Grandma’s sake. But I wasn’t buying it. I excused myself and went to speak with the manager, an old friend from college.
When I returned to the table, Grandma was alone, looking worried and confused. The rest of my family had abandoned her, leaving her to wonder what was going on. I reassured her that everything was taken care of and we finished our meal in peace. The staff even sang “Happy Birthday” and brought out a complimentary dessert.
The next day, my family started calling me, furious that the restaurant was chasing them for payment. But I’d already taken care of that, making sure they’d be paying for their share – with interest. Grandma called to thank me for the night out, and I smiled, knowing my family would think twice before pulling a stunt like that again.
From now on, Grandma’s birthdays are going to be just about her and me. No drama, no stress. Just a quiet celebration, with no one to answer to but ourselves.
