When my cousin crashed our rental car, leaving me with a $5,000 bill, I spent months trying to get her to pay me back. Just as I gave up, I saw her flaunting her ‘success’ on social media and discovered I wasn’t the only one she owed. Karma caught up to her, and I got a front-row seat!
It’s been a year since that disastrous West Coast holiday, and I still feel the sting of that $5,000 debt. My cousin Debra, who’s supposed to be an accountant, racked up a huge damage charge on our rental car and then had the audacity to act like it wasn’t her problem.
It was under my name, so guess who got stuck with the bill? That’s right, me. Lisa, the ever-reliable project manager from Boston. I swear, some days I think my middle name should be “Doormat.”
I remember that holiday like it was yesterday. Seven of us cousins decided to get together for some “family bonding” out on the West Coast.
Debra was there, of course, with her charismatic charm and reckless attitude. One evening, she decided it would be a fantastic idea to drive the rental car down a narrow, winding coastal road at night.
The air was crisp, the moonlight casting eerie shadows as she sped along the road, ignoring my pleas to slow down.
“Come on, Lisa, live a little!” Debra laughed, her voice filled with reckless glee.
She cranked up the music and took another swig from her bottle. I clutched the seat, my knuckles white.
“Debra, please, you’re going too fast!” I yelled, my heart pounding.
She just laughed harder, taking a sharp turn way too quickly. My heart stopped as the car skidded toward the edge, tires screeching.
I thought we were all going to die that night, but the guardrail saved us. The impact when we slammed into it was jarring, leaving us all stunned and the car a complete wreck.
The holiday mood? Completely ruined.
When the rental company slapped a $5,000 damage charge on the car, Debra just shrugged.
“We’re family,” she said with a flippant wave of her hand. “We should all pitch in.”
The other cousins mumbled vague agreements.
“Maybe we can split it evenly,” suggested Jimmy, the peacemaker of the group.
“Split it? Are you kidding? I wasn’t even in the car,” retorted Martha, crossing her arms.
“I can’t afford that right now,” mumbled Jake, avoiding eye contact.
I Brought My Son to Meet My Boyfriend’s Parents, What He Discovered in My Boyfriend’s Childhood Room Was Unbelievable
Mia, a dedicated single mom, felt a spark of hope with her new boyfriend, Jake. After four months of dating, they planned a weekend getaway to his family’s beach house. It seemed perfect, especially for her son, Luke, who was excited about the trip.
As a fourth-grade teacher, Mia loved her job and appreciated the time it allowed her to spend with Luke. His father rarely visited, so Mia was determined to create a happy home for them both.
Finally, she decided to introduce Luke to Jake. One sunny day, she nervously asked Luke if he wanted to meet someone special for lunch. He was intrigued and, after a fun lunch, the two bonded over dinosaurs and Lego. They enjoyed several weekends together, and Mia felt confident about their growing relationship.
When Jake invited them to his beach house, Mia and Luke were thrilled. Upon arriving, Jake’s parents welcomed them warmly. After exploring, Jake showed Luke his childhood toys while Mia admired the nostalgic room.
But everything changed when Luke suddenly rushed downstairs, pale and trembling. “Mom, we need to leave! I found a box with bones in Jake’s room!” Mia’s heart raced. “What do you mean, bones?”
“Real bones, Mom!” Luke insisted. Panic set in. Had she misjudged Jake? “Stay here”, she told Luke, her voice shaking. She hurried back to Jake’s room, and her heart dropped when she found the box under the bed. Inside were actual bones. Without thinking, she took Luke’s hand, and they bolted out of the house.
As they sped away, Mia’s phone buzzed with calls from Jake, but she couldn’t bear to answer. Once parked on the roadside, she called 911, fearing the worst. The police quickly called back. “Mia, the bones are fake,” the officer reassured her. “They’re replicas for teaching.”
Relief washed over her, but guilt quickly followed. How could she have jumped to such conclusions? With a deep breath, Mia called Jake. “I’m so sorry”, she said. “I was scared for Luke and overreacted.”
“Mia, it’s okay”, Jake replied. “You were just protecting him. Let’s turn this into a funny story, not a reason to break up.” Mia smiled, feeling lighter. She reassured Luke that everything was fine and they drove back to the beach house, where Jake’s parents were understandably worried.
After explaining the situation and apologizing for their abrupt departure, they spent the rest of the day relaxing by the ocean. That day became a fond memory, marking the start of an even stronger bond between Mia and Jake. Now, they often laugh about the wild escape from the beach house, grateful that it only brought them closer together. What do you think?
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