Put my husband’s cheeky sister in her place
“Mom confirmed the restaurant,” said Susan, acting like she hadn’t noticed the tension in Emma’s voice. “And about the money. Have you and John transferred everything?”
Emma paused for a moment, searching for the right words, but Susan continued regardless:
“It’s not a huge amount, to be honest. I considered chipping in myself, but with my expenses… It’s all for Mom, you know.”
“Hold on,” Emma finally interrupted her, trying to stay calm. “We never agreed on this. John didn’t say anything to me.”
“Oh, you know he always forgets things,” Susan laughed as if it were the most normal thing in the world. “I told him it would be about forty. It’s a reasonable amount for such an occasion, isn’t it?”
Her words came across as if the decision had been made long ago, and arguing would be pointless. Emma tightened her grip on the phone, feeling her irritation growing.
“Forty pounds?” she repeated slowly, almost whispering.
“Yeah, I even got a discount! There’s also cakes and service; you’ll see it yourself. Mom will be thrilled. Don’t stress, I’ve already paid the deposit. John said you’d transfer everything.”
Susan hung up without waiting for a reply.
Emma sat there holding the phone, a lump in her throat, while one thought dominated her mind: “Here we go again, giving with nothing in return.”
***
That evening, the air in the kitchen felt as tense as a drawn string. John opened the fridge, took out a cider, and, without looking at Emma, mumbled:
“Susie said you were against giving any money for the restaurant.”
Emma froze.
“Against it? Is that what she told you?” She stood up from her chair, trying to keep herself in check. “Did I refuse? I knew nothing about it until she called and dropped the bomb on me.”
John turned and frowned.
“Oh, come on, she’s just trying to help out. Mom doesn’t have a milestone birthday every year.”
“And doesn’t it bother you she’s ‘helping’ at our expense? Forty, John! Is that okay?”
John shrugged, avoiding her eyes.
“Well, it’s Mom. What do you want? Susie’s done a great job getting it all set up.”
Emma scoffed.
“Great job indeed. It’s easy to do so on someone else’s dime. And you know, John, I don’t get why you just went along with it. Did we discuss this? No. She decided, and you nodded.”
“Just stop it.” John waved his hand, pouring himself a drink. “She’s only trying to do what’s best.”
“For whom? For us? For Mom? Or for herself?” Emma’s voice rose sharply before she calmed down, conscious of their sleeping son. “I can’t take it anymore. It’s always ‘give me, transfer this, pay for that.’ Then she disappears, acting like nothing happened.”
John paused, staring into his glass.
“What can I do? That’s how she is. If you want, talk to her yourself.”
“I already did,” Emma replied curtly. “And do you know what she said? That it’s our responsibility.”
“What did you expect? She’s carrying everything on her shoulders. Her life might be tougher than ours.”
“She’s carrying?!” Emma snapped. “John, she just uses everyone around her. And you play along!”
The conversation reached an impasse. John shrugged, muttered something indistinctly, and went to the other room, leaving Emma alone with her thoughts.
***
The next morning began with an unexpected phone call. Emma reluctantly answered.
“Hi, Emma! Are you busy?” Susan sounded surprisingly upbeat.
“I’m listening,” Emma replied coolly, bracing for another request.
“Listen, I need some help. I started a small project with a neighbor. An online store, you know how many opportunities there are these days. Anyway, I need to pay for something, but I’m skint. I thought maybe you could lend me your card. Just temporarily, for a couple of days.”
Emma froze for a second, processing what she’d just heard.
“Susie,” her voice firmed up, “are you serious? My card?”
“Well, yeah! What’s the big deal? You know I’m careful. I’ll account for everything, pay it all back, not a penny extra.”
“No. This isn’t up for discussion.”
Silence hung on the other end.
“I don’t get it,” Susan’s voice wavered. “It’s just a card. Why are you saying no?”
“Because I value my peace of mind, Susie. And my card.”
“Emma, don’t you trust me?” Susan sounded indignant, but it seemed like just another ploy. “We’re family.”
Emma held back, avoiding saying something she’d regret.
“Susie, let’s end this conversation here. I have things to do.”
Emma hung up, feeling both relieved and angry. Susan had overstepped all boundaries.
That evening, when John returned from work, Emma knew the conversation ahead would be challenging.
“John,” she began quietly, “your sister called again.”
He took off his shoes, not hurrying to meet her gaze.
“And?”
“She asked for my card. For some project.”
John stopped, looking at her in surprise.
“And what did you say?”
“That, of course, I refused.”
“And why couldn’t you just help?” He replied sharply. “It’s Susie.”
Emma sighed deeply, careful to keep her emotions in check.
“John, is it a family trait not to see the difference between a request and audacity? Can’t she handle things on her own?”
“Emma, she wasn’t asking for millions. You’re always complicating things.”
She looked at him, disbelief etched on her face.
“Complicating? It’s me who’s complicating? Do you really think this can go on forever?”
John said nothing, then muttered:
“She just needed some help, that’s all.”
“Right, and then she disappears, leaving us to deal with the fallout.”
He waved dismissively and went to the other room.
Emma sat at the kitchen table, feeling something inside breaking. She couldn’t endure it any longer. Susan wasn’t just meddling in their lives — she was destroying them.
All evening Emma pondered how to end it once and for all. A plan formed in her mind: calm, reasonable, and above all, final.
***
The following week, they were invited to a family gathering at John’s relatives. Everyone was there: grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins. As usual, Susan was the center of attention, loudly sharing how she was “investing in the future.” Emma observed this show with a calm, almost detached expression.
John sat beside her, nervous, as if anticipating something unpleasant was about to unfold.
“So,” Susan continued, addressing everyone, “my neighbor and I are launching a fantastic project. We’re doing it all on our own, and you know how tough it is right now.”
Emma cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention.
“Susie, is it okay that in your project, you’re trying to use someone else’s money?”
Everyone at the table froze. Susan didn’t immediately realize Emma was speaking to her.
“What do you mean?” Her voice tightened.
“You asked me for a card for ‘temporary expenses.’ And by the way, John gave you money for car repairs. Did you ever return that?”
Susan blushed.
“Well, those are small things. Why bring this up here?”
Emma pressed on.
“It’s not small when you constantly try to live on someone else’s tab.”
“I don’t get why you’re so angry,” Susan tried to smile but looked unsure. “We’re family.”
“Family?” Emma raised her eyebrows. “What kind of family takes and never gives back, then acts insulted when refused?”
Everyone at the table remained silent. John tried to say something, but Emma stopped him.
“No, John. Stop covering for her. We’ve already spent a fortune on her and our sanity. Now let her explain why she wanted my card.”
Susan jumped up, clenching her fists.
“You’re just jealous, Emma! I’m doing this for everyone, and you’re just penny-pinching.”
“Jealous?” Emma scoffed. “Of your habit of deceiving everyone around you? Don’t make me laugh.”
Susan slammed her hand on the table and fled the room.
John stood, pain in his eyes as he looked at Emma.
“Why did you do that? She’s still my sister.”
“And why do you let her get away with it?” Emma replied, not breaking eye contact.
He said nothing, shook his head, and left to follow Susan.
Emma knew she had exposed the truth. But it felt more like a defeat than a victory. Everyone else avoided her gaze, staying silent.
That night, John didn’t come home. He sent a brief message: “I need time to think.”
Emma sat on the sofa. She knew she had done the right thing, but something within her refused to see it as a win.
