When Lexie’s husband’s parents are left to give up their home due to losing their jobs, they are left stranded. Seeing her husband’s distress at being unable to help, Lexie allows her mother to welcome them to stay with her. Things start off okay, but then the tables start to turn. Instead of being grateful, they start to complain about everything, resulting in a call to social services.
Not long after Cameron and I got married, his parents were faced with unfortunate circumstances. His mom, Jessica, and dad, Roger had no choice but to give up their home because Roger had lost his job.
An elderly couple sitting on a bench | Source: Unsplash
Cameron and I didn’t have the space to take them in. But they were desperate, and so were we. We couldn’t let them just try and figure it out for themselves.
When they realized that my mother lives alone, they asked her to let them move in with her. My mom had a double-story house, but due to being wheelchair bound since a car accident a few years ago, she had a live-in nurse to care for her.
A broken windshield | Source: Pexels
“Please, Tanya,” my mother-in-law said when we were all at my mother’s house for dinner. “We don’t have anywhere else to go. And we don’t have any money available at the moment.”
I knew that this entire thing affected my husband because there was only so much we could do in our own capacity. When my mother agreed, Cameron gripped onto my hand tightly and sighed in relief.
A woman in a wheelchair | Source: Midjourney
“Of course, you can stay here. You can stay for as long as you need to,” my mother told them.
At first, things were okay.
My mother-in-law cooked meals, and my father-in-law mowed the grass and took care of the basic upkeep of the house.
A person cutting oranges | Source: Pexels
But then, things changed and social services got involved. It was a nightmare.
This is what happened.
My in-laws began complaining that my mom was occupying the whole first floor, something that was obvious. Since her accident, my sister and I had converted the first floor into an entire house by itself for my mother.
A wheelchair beside a bed | Source: Pexels
She needed her space, and we were going to give it to her. The second floor was for our space when we visited Mom.
Instead of being grateful, my in-laws complained that they couldn’t put their stuff there. They mumbled about the simple food my mother had in her fridge.
An open fridge | Source: Pexels
“It’s such basic foods. There’s nothing new or different here,” Roger would say.
But still, even though they complained, they didn’t try to buy their own food or food that they would have liked to eat on occasion.
An elderly couple shopping | Source: Pexels
Nothing changed when Jessica got a job as head librarian at the local library or when Roger got a job as a proofreader for the local newspaper.
“Don’t you think they should start looking for a new place?” Cameron asked me when we were taking a walk one evening.
An elderly woman in a library | Source: Pexels
“I’m sure your mom cannot wait to have the house back,” he said.
“Actually,” I replied. “I think she enjoys having people there. She always said that it was too quiet with just her and Linda.”
“Yeah, I get that,” he said. “But my parents can be a lot.”
A couple taking a walk | Source: Pexels
It was as if my husband had spoken it into existence.
One day, as I went over to my mother’s house with pastries, I found her looking upset.
“What’s wrong?” I asked her immediately.
Pastries in a box | Source: Pexels
“Cameron’s parents,” she began slowly. “They’ve been hinting about a nursing home for me. I heard them talk about it last night, too.”
“Mom, do you want me to ask them to leave? They’re crossing the line,” I said, worried about her well-being.
A woman holding her face | Source: Unsplash
“Oh, honey,” she said, a mysterious smile forming on her face. “I’ll take care of everything, don’t you worry.”
A few days later, my mother-in-law called us crying.
“How could Tanya do that to us?” she asked.
A crying old woman | Source: Pexels
Apparently, my mother had told them to pack their things and move to the first floor because she was ready to move into a nursing home. She said that she needed the help and that she wanted to live a little easier.
Cameron’s parents thought that they had won the battle they created.
A healthcare facility | Source: Unsplash
Instead, my mother had called social services, telling them that she had two individuals who were living with her temporarily but needed the help.
The next day, people from social services arrived at my mother’s doorstep, ready to take Jessica and Roger away to their social housing facilities.
A person holding a phone | Source: Pexels
They were livid.
Cameron and I met them at my mother’s house because they demanded an audience.
“This is outrageous! We thought we were moving downstairs, not out of the house!” my mother-in-law shrieked.
An angry old woman | Source: Pexels
“How dare she trick us like this! We have done everything for her these past few months,” my father-in-law added.
Beside me, my husband flinched. He was caught in the middle, not knowing what to do or how to react.
“You took advantage of her kindness and tried to push her into a nursing home. You got what you deserved,” I retorted, barely containing my own anger at their words.
An angry old man | Source: Pexels
“You can’t just throw us out like this!” my mother-in-law protested.
“You’ve got a little place to live now,” my mother said, smiling. “But also, that’s not my problem. I helped you out, and you did nothing but complain. You didn’t want to be here. You were just here because you had no choice. Now, you can learn to fend for yourselves.”
Jessica was appalled. I don’t think she expected my mother to retaliate in that way.
A smiling woman in a wheelchair | Source: Unsplash
It was true, social services housed them in a little apartment which was close to both their jobs. They would be absolutely fine until they chose to move elsewhere.
As they left, they continued to curse, but it was clear that they had been defeated by the whole episode.
A small apartment | Source: Unsplash
“I’m sorry,” my husband told my mother when we settled her down again. “This was all my fault.”
It took a while for my mother to calm him down and make him realize that nothing was his fault.
“Your parents needed a place to stay, and they were welcome to do so here, but they continued to complain. They made life difficult here. Everything was a problem,” she said.
An upset man | Source: Unsplash
I continued to work my way around the kitchen while they spoke. I knew that my husband needed a pick-me-up, so I made his favorite Indian dishes, hoping that it would do the trick.
If I had to admit it, I also felt like it was my fault. I should have objected to the move in the first place. But I knew that my in-laws needed a place to live when they lost their homes. And maybe it was because of guilt.
A plate of food | Source: Unsplash
Guilt born from the mere fact that Cameron and I couldn’t do it ourselves, that we both had allowed them to live with my mother.
As we got into bed that night, I told my husband that we needed to see his parents. We needed to make sure that they were okay, despite their horrible behavior, they needed to know that we still cared.
A couple lying together | Source: Unsplash
The following day, we met them at their new apartment. It was a quaint little place, but it was just enough for the two of them. As we walked in, there were boxes lying everywhere and the smell of burnt toast permeated the air.
“I didn’t check the toaster setting,” Roger said, as his way of explaining.
Opened cardboard boxes | Source: Midjourney
We ended up taking them to a café for lunch, where they admitted to their behavior.
“We were in the wrong,” my mother-in-law said. “We know that now. We saw an easy way to live with Tanya, and we just wanted more. But now, we have to make it work for ourselves.”
An interior of a coffee shop | Source: Unsplash
I dug into my pancakes while Cameron let his parents have a piece of his mind. He went on about how they needed to be responsible for their actions and that nothing would make up for their behavior toward my mother.
“You embarrassed me. And you took advantage of my wife’s mother,” he said. “Do you know how that makes me feel?”
A stack of pancakes | Source: Unsplash
I allowed him to talk his way through it, while his parents continued to eat their eggs benedict in silence.
As we drove home, my husband stopped to get my mother a bouquet of flowers.
“She deserves it,” he said.
A bouquet of flowers | Source: Unsplash
What would you have done?
My Family Left Grandma Alone at a Restaurant to Ditch the Check—Too Bad They Messed with the Wrong Granddaughter
Grandma just wanted a quiet dinner to celebrate her birthday, but our family insisted on going all out. But they didn’t just hijack her birthday, they abandoned her at the table when the bill arrived! Nobody messes with my Grandma, not even family!
My grandma always has fresh-baked cookies ready, never forgets a birthday, and somehow makes every family gathering feel like home. If anyone deserved the perfect birthday dinner, it was her.
An elderly woman packing away cookies | Source: Midjourney
So when she mentioned she’d love to have “just a small dinner out this year,” I was all in.
She’s 85 this year, and it’s a big deal. A quiet evening with good food and her favorite people? Done. But of course, the rest of the family had other plans.
“Grandma deserves something spectacular,” Aunt Linda had announced on our family group chat. “Not some boring little dinner.”
A woman using her cell phone | Source: Pexels
The rest of the family insisted on taking Grandma to the nicest restaurant in town, which might’ve seemed like a nice gesture if they hadn’t made it all about themselves.
Our weekly Sunday was a circus. I stepped outside to escape for a while, and that’s when I overheard my cousin Katie scheming with her brother, Mark.
“Seriously, Jade won’t say no,” Katie whispered. “She works at a bank! She’s loaded. Lives alone. No kids. What else is she spending money on?”
A woman whispering to someone | Source: Midjourney
Mark snorted. “Exactly. We just gotta keep it chill until the bill comes. Then we’ll play dumb, and she’ll pick it up.”
I froze in place. Oh, so that was the plan. Blow up Grandma’s birthday dinner into a huge event and let me foot the bill while they sat there acting clueless.
“What about Grandma?” Mark asked. “Should we tell her to bring her wallet too? You know, as backup?”
A man on a porch | Source: Midjourney
Katie laughed. “Please. She’ll insist on paying anyway. She always does. But cousin dearest will jump in to save the day because she’s such a hero.”
I felt my face flush hot with anger. Using Grandma like that? On her birthday?
I would’ve happily paid to give Grandma the night of her dreams. But getting played like some open wallet? Absolutely not.
Fine. Let’s see how that plays out, I thought as I retreated inside.
A frowning woman looking over her shoulder | Source: Midjourney
I picked Grandma up on the night, and we drove to the nicest steakhouse in town. Grandma clutched her little purse and smiled like it was the best day of her year.
Meanwhile, the rest of them acted like we were at a celebrity afterparty. Katie took nonstop photos “for the aesthetic,” posing with every drink and appetizer.
Mark sampled every overpriced whiskey on the menu, loudly proclaiming himself a “connoisseur” to our server Miguel, who deserved a medal for his patience.
A waiter in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
Aunt Linda kept loudly recommending the most premium options to anyone who’d listen. Through it all, Grandma beamed.
“This is lovely,” she whispered to me. “I never expected all this fuss.”
“I’m glad you’re having a good time, Grandma.” I smiled and gave her hand a brief squeeze. I hoped the joy she felt now might somehow make up for the betrayal I knew was coming.
An elderly woman in a restaurant smiling at someone | Source: Midjourney
Meanwhile, I watched as my family ordered wine bottles, not glasses, the most expensive cuts of meat, and every side dish on the menu.
I watched the bill climbing with each order, mentally calculating their scheme. I ordered modestly, a simple filet and a glass of house wine. Grandma did the same.
“Are you sure that’s all you want?” Uncle Joe pressed. “It’s a special occasion! Live a little!”
A man in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
I smiled tightly. “This is perfect for me.”
Then the check came.
Grandma had just gone to the restroom, and right on cue, the act began.
“Ohhhh wow,” Aunt Linda said, staring at the bill like it was written in a foreign language. “Look at that total… I’d help, but you know, we’re still paying off that time-share from two summers ago.”
A woman staring in shock | Source: Midjourney
Katie shook her head, suddenly fascinated by her manicure. “I spent all my savings on concert tickets. You know how important live music is for my mental health.”
Mark sighed dramatically, like he was auditioning for a soap opera. “My dog has been having stomach issues and the vet bills have been insane. I’m practically broke.”
Uncle Joe stretched his arms out and grinned, his gold watch catching the light as he did so.
A man grinning | Source: Midjourney
“We all just figured you’d cover this one, Jade. You’re almost done paying off your house, right? And you’ve got the best job out of all of us. You know how to make things happen. We’ll support you… emotionally.”
And then Aunt Linda had the audacity to throw in a guilt trip.
“And come on… it’s for Grandma. It’s her big day. We might not have many more of these left, you know.”
A woman seated at a dinner table | Source: Midjourney
I looked around the table. All that confidence. All those assumptions. The total came to over $800, and their share was easily $650 of that.
My blood boiled, but Grandma returned from the restroom then. I wasn’t going to ruin her dinner by fighting over the bill in front of her.
I said, “Let me take care of something real quick and we’ll get back to this discussion.”
And I walked off, making a beeline for the manager’s office.
A woman walking in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
I exited about 15 minutes later and returned to the table.
Grandma was sitting there all alone, clutching her purse and looking around the room with wide, scared eyes. The rest of my family was nowhere to be seen.
I’d known they planned to avoid paying the bill, but to stoop so low as to abandon Grandma on her birthday! That was just cruel.
“Grandma, are you okay?” I asked as I slipped back into my seat.
A worried elderly woman | Source: Midjourney
“There you are!” Grandma said, relief washing over her face as I joined her. “Everyone just got up and left. They said something about getting the car ready, but it’s been ten minutes.”
She leaned over and spoke in an earnest whisper. “Are we okay, Jade? Is everything paid for? I can cover some if I need to, sweetheart… I don’t have much with me, but I’ve been saving up…”
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, fury rising in my chest at how they’d left her confused and worried on her special night.
A furious woman | Source: Midjourney
“Don’t you worry, Grandma. Everything’s under control.”
We took our time finishing up while the staff handled the rest. Miguel brought over a complimentary dessert for Grandma, a beautiful chocolate cake with a single candle. The entire waitstaff sang for her.
Grandma still looked a little worried, but I promised her it was all taken care of.
“But what about the others?” she asked as I drove her home, the stars twinkling above us.
A woman driving her car | Source: Midjourney
“They had somewhere else to be, I guess,” I said, keeping my tone light. “It’s a pity, but I must admit I’m glad I got to have you all to myself for the best part of the evening, Grandma. You still had a good birthday dinner, right?”
She nodded, but I could tell she was hurt. That made me even angrier.
By the time the angry phone calls started the next morning, I was more than ready to gloat over my selfish, thoughtless family for thinking they could get away with hurting Grandma.
A smug woman in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney
The first call I answered was from Aunt Linda. She shrieked that the restaurant was “harassing” them over the bill.
“They’ve called three times! How dare they! This is your fault somehow, isn’t it?”
Katie left me a three-minute voice memo accusing me of “ruining the vibe” of Grandma’s birthday. “We were just going to get the car! We were coming right back! You’re so dramatic!”
A woman holding her cell phone | Source: Midjourney
Mark texted that I was a traitor for snitching on family. His follow-up texts grew increasingly panicked as the day went on.
Uncle Joe wanted to know if this was some kind of joke because now the restaurant was threatening legal action. “Fix this! Now!”
Oh, right. I forgot to mention.
Turns out the manager of that steakhouse just happened to be my old college buddy Eric.
A smiling woman in a living room | Source: Midjourney
While they were off making their dramatic exit through the kitchen door (caught clearly on security cameras), I’d made sure Eric had all their contact info. Full names, phone numbers, addresses.
He only charged me for my and Grandma’s share of the meal. The rest? Oh yeah. He’s collecting directly from them — with interest if they keep dodging him.
Grandma called later to thank me again for the night out.
A woman speaking on her cell phone | Source: Midjourney
“I just wish your cousins hadn’t disappeared like that,” she said. “It was such a nice dinner until… well…”
I just smiled, picturing Katie’s face when she received the formal demand for payment.
“Don’t give it another thought, Grandma. They won’t be pulling anything like that again.”
A woman speaking on her cell phone | Source: Midjourney
And next year? Me and Grandma are celebrating her birthday somewhere very nice and quiet. Just the two of us.
And I’m leaving my phone on silent.
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