My grandma spent her whole life putting our family first, even when nobody noticed her sacrifices. My sister didn’t understand that until it was far too late.
I stood in the cramped kitchen and watched Grandma Betty scrub the worn countertop with her tired hands. She raised my younger sister, Mia, and me after our mom died.
Grandma packed our lunches, sewed our school play costumes, and worked grueling extra jobs as a cleaner just so we could survive.
When Mia and I grew up, I helped Grandma financially, but my younger sister didn’t. She always said she needed her money for expensive clothes, beauty treatments, and things of that nature.
***
“You really need to sit down and rest,” I said to Grandma. I was now 28 years old, and Mia was 25.
“I just want the house to look nice for your sister,” she replied.
“I transferred another $200 into your account this morning,” I told her.
“You don’t need to scrub floors anymore.”
“You’re far too generous with your paychecks,” my grandma said with a smile. “You should save your money.”
“I just wanted to help you. I called Mia yesterday to see if she could chip in for the heating bill.”
Grandma sighed.
“Please don’t bother your sister about money.
She has her own expenses right now.”
“Her expenses are ridiculous,” I argued. “She never helps you out financially.”
I picked up my phone and opened my messages.
“Look at what Mia texted me when I asked for $50,” I said. “I can’t afford that right now,” I read aloud. “I’m saving up for a luxury brand handbag I saw.
It’s gorgeous!”
“She’s marrying into a wealthy family,” our grandma defended her. “She wants to fit in.”
“That doesn’t excuse her selfishness. You worked nights as a janitor so she could go to dance classes.”
“Just let her live her dream,” Grandma said gently.
“She’s supposed to come by this afternoon to talk about the wedding preparations.”
“She’d better drop off an invitation while she’s here. You deserve to be a guest of honor.”
Grandma agreed, sharing how excited she was to see her granddaughter walk down the aisle. I smiled, knowing how important that was to her.
“Thank you for being a good granddaughter and sibling,” she said.
“Family is the most important thing we have.”
I set the kettle on the stove and listened to the water heat up.
What happened next changed everything… continues on the next page.
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