Sophia let out a nervous laugh. “Oh, Joan, that’s not exactly true.
Beverly didn’t understand—”
“She understood perfectly,” I interrupted, my voice firm. “She told me you said she had too many presents already and that you’d use the money for ‘groceries.’”
Sophia’s face turned red. “That’s not fair!
I used some of it for Christmas dinner. Do you have any idea how expensive hosting is? And didn’t I deserve a little break after all that work?
It’s only fair I treated myself to a spa day and some candles!”
“Did Dad ask you to use Beverly’s money for dinner?” I shot back.
Dad shook his head slowly, his expression hardening. “No, I didn’t. Sophia, is this true?
Did you take Beverly’s Christmas money?”
Sophia stammered. “I—I didn’t take it. I borrowed it.
I was going to put it back!”
Grandma’s voice was sharp. “You spent money that wasn’t yours. On yourself.
How dare you?”
Sophia’s overconfidence cracked. She pointed at Beverly. “She’s just a child!
She wouldn’t have spent it wisely. I was only trying to make sure it went toward something useful.”
“Useful?” I repeated, incredulous. “Like spa treatments?
Or those fancy candles?”
“I said I’d put it back!” Sophia’s voice rose, now shaky and defensive.
“Enough!” Dad’s voice boomed, silencing the room. He turned to Beverly, his expression softening. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry this happened.
That money was yours, and it should’ve stayed yours.”
He looked back at Sophia, his tone cold. “You’re going to pay back every cent tonight. I don’t care if it comes out of your savings or your next paycheck, but Beverly gets her money back.
Do you understand me?”
Sophia opened her mouth, then closed it again, realizing there was no way out. She nodded stiffly, her face pale.
“And let me be clear,” Dad continued. “If anything like this happens again, we’re done.
Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Sophia whispered, staring down at her plate.
The tension was thick as Dad reached into his pocket and handed Beverly the $300 himself. “Here you go, sweetheart. This is yours.”
Beverly’s eyes lit up.
“Really?”
“Really,” he said with a warm smile.
I squeezed Beverly’s hand under the table. Sophia didn’t look at anyone as she sat there, defeated.
But I wasn’t done. “Beverly already knows what she’s buying, don’t you?” I said, giving her a wink.
She nodded.
“A pink bike with a basket.”
Grandma smiled. “We’ll go shopping tomorrow, sweetie.”
The conversation moved on, but Sophia sat in silence, her face as red as the tablecloth. She’d been exposed, and everyone knew it.
The next morning, I woke up to Beverly bouncing on my bed.
“Joan! Wake up! You promised!” she squealed, her excitement lighting up the room.
I groaned dramatically.
“What time is it? The sun’s barely up!”
“It’s bike day!” she declared, dragging me out of bed by my hand.
After breakfast, Dad handed me the full $300. “Take her shopping and make sure she gets everything she wants,” he said, smiling at Beverly.
“This is her money, and it’s time she enjoys it.”
Beverly clutched the bills tightly, her eyes gleaming. “Thank you, Daddy!”
We spent hours at the store. Beverly picked out the prettiest pink bike with a white basket and matching tassels.
She made sure it had a bell and a helmet, too. With the leftover money, she bought a doll she’d been eyeing and a giant art kit.
“Do you think Sophia’s mad?” she asked as we loaded everything into the car.
“Maybe,” I said honestly. “But she had no right to take your money.
And now, she knows she can’t get away with it.”
Back home, Dad pulled me aside. “Joan, thank you for standing up for Beverly. I should’ve noticed something was off, but I trusted Sophia too much.
That won’t happen again.”
Source: amomama
