Put the Cheeky Sister-in-Law in Her Place
“Mom confirmed the restaurant,” Sarah announced as if she couldn’t hear the tension in Emma’s voice. “And about the money, have you and Andrew sent it over?”
Emma was silent for a few seconds, searching for words, but Sarah continued:
“It’s not a huge amount. Honestly, I thought about chipping in myself, but, you know, with my expenses… It’s all for mom, you know.”
“Hang on,” Emma interrupted, trying to stay calm. “We didn’t agree to this. Andrew didn’t say anything to me.”
“Oh, you know how he always forgets things,” Sarah laughed as if it were the most normal thing. “I told him it’d be about forty pounds from you. It’s a reasonable amount for such an occasion, isn’t it?”
The words sounded as if the decision was already made, and any objections would seem ridiculous. Emma gripped the phone tighter as her irritation grew.
“Forty pounds?” she repeated slowly, almost whispering.
“Yes, I even managed to get a discount! Cakes and service included. You’ll see for yourself, mom will be thrilled. Don’t stress out about it, I’ve already paid the deposit. Andrew said you’d cover it.”
Sarah hung up without waiting for an answer.
Emma kept staring at the phone, feeling a lump in her throat and just one thought running in her head: “It’s always the same story.”
***
That evening, the air in the kitchen felt as tense as a tightrope. Andrew opened the fridge, took out a bottle of beer, and muttered without looking at Emma:
“Sarah said you were against the restaurant money.”
Emma froze.
“Against? Is that what she said?” She stood up, trying to keep her composure. “Did I refuse? I didn’t even know until she called and dropped it on me.”
Andrew turned and frowned.
“Oh, come on, she’s not doing it for herself. Mom doesn’t celebrate her anniversary every year.”
“And isn’t it something that she made plans with our money? Forty pounds, Andrew!” Emma kept her voice level, not wanting to shout. “Is that alright?”
Andrew shrugged and looked away.
“Well, it is for mom. What do you want? Sarah’s done well organizing everything.”
Emma scoffed.
“Well, of course. It’s easy to be a hero with someone else’s money. And you know, Andrew, I don’t understand why you just agreed to it. Did we discuss it? No. She decided, and you nodded along.”
“Oh, stop it.” Andrew waved dismissively and reached for a glass. “She’s only trying to do her best.”
“For whom? For us? For mom? Or for herself?” Emma raised her voice sharply but then softened, not to wake their son. “Andrew, I can’t take it anymore. All she does is ‘give, transfer, pay’. And then she disappears as if nothing ever happened.”
He paused, staring into his glass.
“What can I do? That’s the way she is. Want to talk to her yourself?”
“Already did,” Emma cut in dryly. “And you know what she told me? That it’s our responsibility.”
“What did you expect? She’s handling it all on her own. Maybe her life’s tougher than ours.”
“Handling it?! Andrew, she’s just using everyone around her. And you’re playing along!”
The conversation hit a dead end. Andrew shrugged, muttered something unclear, and left the kitchen, leaving Emma alone with her thoughts.
***
The next morning began with an unexpected call. Emma answered reluctantly.
“Emma! Are you busy?” Sarah sounded unusually cheerful.
“I’m listening,” Emma replied curtly, bracing herself for her next favor.
“Listen, I need a little help. I started a small project with a neighbor—an online shop, you know how many opportunities there are now. I need to pay for a few things, but I’ve got nothing right now. I thought maybe you’d let me use your card. Just for a couple of days.”
Emma froze for a moment, trying to process what she’d heard.
“Sarah,” her voice was firm, “you want my card?”
“Yeah! What’s the big deal? You know I’m careful. I’ll account for everything, pay it back, won’t spend anything extra.”
“No. It’s not up for discussion.”
Silence fell on the other end of the line.
“I don’t understand,” Sarah’s voice now lacked confidence. “It’s just a card. Why refuse?”
“Because my peace of mind is important to me, Sarah. As is my card.”
“Emma, don’t you trust me?” Sarah sounded indignant, though it felt like another tactic. “We’re family, aren’t we?”
Emma stopped herself from saying too much.
“Sarah, let’s end this. I have things to do.”
She ended the call, feeling both relief and anger. Sarah had crossed all boundaries.
In the evening, when Andrew returned from work, Emma knew the conversation would be difficult.
“Andrew,” she began calmly, “your sister called again.”
He removed his shoes, not hurrying to look her way.
“And?”
“She wanted my card. For another one of her projects.”
Andrew stopped, surprised.
“And what did you say?”
“No, of course.”
“And why couldn’t you just help? It’s Sarah.”
Emma sighed slowly, trying not to explode.
“Is it a family trait, Andrew, to not understand the difference between a request and a demand? Can’t she manage on her own?”
“Emma, she didn’t ask for millions. You always complicate things so much.”
She stared at him, not believing her ears.
“Complicate? Me? Do you really think this can go on forever?”
Andrew was silent, then mumbled:
“She just needed some help, that’s all.”
“Yes, and then she disappears, leaving us to pick up the pieces.”
He brushed it off and retreated to their room.
Emma sat at the kitchen table, feeling something inside her finally break. She couldn’t stand it any longer. Sarah wasn’t just interfering in their lives—she was destroying it.
All evening, Emma mulled over how to put an end to this. A plan formed in her mind: calm, reasonable, and, most importantly, final.
***
The following week, they were invited to Andrew’s family gathering. Nearly everyone was there: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. Sarah, as usual, was the center of attention, loudly boasting about how she was “investing in the future.” Emma watched this spectacle with a calm, almost detached expression.
Andrew sat beside her, clearly nervous, sensing that something unpleasant was about to happen.
“So,” Sarah continued, addressing everyone, “my neighbor and I are launching a fantastic project. We’re doing it all by ourselves; you know how tough it is these days.”
Emma cleared her throat to get attention.
“Sarah, isn’t it a bit misleading when you’re trying to use someone else’s money for your project?”
Everyone at the table froze. Sarah didn’t immediately realize she was being addressed.
“What do you mean?” her voice was tense.
“You asked for my card for ‘temporary expenses’. And before that, Andrew lent you money for car repairs. Did you return that money?”
Sarah blushed.
“Well, those are trivial things. Why bring them up here?”
Emma held her ground.
“It’s not trivial when you consistently attempt to live off others.”
“I don’t understand why you’re so angry,” Sarah tried to smile, but it looked forced. “We’re family.”
“Family?” Emma raised her eyebrows. “What kind of family is it where you take and don’t give back, and then take offense when refused?”
Everyone at the table remained silent. Andrew tried to speak, but Emma stopped him.
“No, Andrew. Stop covering for her. We’ve already spent so much money and energy on her. Now let her explain why she needs my card.”
Sarah jumped up, clenching her fists.
“You’re just jealous, Emma! I’m doing my best for everyone, and you just sit and count pennies.”
“Jealous?” Emma smirked. “Of what? That you’re used to deceiving everyone around you? Don’t make me laugh.”
Sarah slapped the table and stormed out of the room.
Andrew stood and looked at Emma with hurt eyes.
“Why did you have to do that? She’s still my sister.”
“And why do you let her keep doing it?” Emma replied without breaking eye contact.
He said nothing, just shook his head and followed Sarah.
Emma realized she had achieved her goal: the truth came out. But it felt more like a defeat than a victory. Everyone else avoided her gaze and remained silent.
Later that evening, Andrew didn’t return home. He texted a short message: “I need some time to think.”
Emma sat on the sofa. She knew she did the right thing, but something inside refused to acknowledge it as a victory.
