There’s a special place in hell for people who take advantage of sweet grandmothers. My family apparently missed that memo when they decided to hijack Grandma’s 85th birthday celebration.
What was supposed to be a modest dinner out turned into a grotesque display of gluttony at an upscale steakhouse – all because my relatives saw an opportunity to feast on my dime. I’d overheard their plan days before: order lavishly, then play dumb when the bill came.
Watching them gorge themselves while Grandma politely enjoyed her meal made me sick. When the check arrived, the excuses flowed faster than the wine they’d consumed. Aunt Linda’s “timeshare payments,” Mark’s “sick dog,” Katie’s “concert tickets” – all delivered with Oscar-worthy performances.
Their final act? Abandoning Grandma at the table when they pretended to “get the car.” That’s when I sprung my trap. Turns out the restaurant manager was an old friend who happily provided me with security footage of their dine-and-dash attempt.
Now they’re getting billed individually for their extravagant orders – with late fees piling up daily. Meanwhile, Grandma and I enjoyed a peaceful end to her birthday with complimentary cake and none of the drama. Some family traditions are better off broken.
