Only once in my life have I been so disappointed in someone. And not just “someone,” but my own sister.
It was the New Year’s Eve holidays, everyone was running around, rushing, flying, the lines for gifts are huge. I did not have time to buy my husband anything in advance, I had to get out and order from an online store fantasy book cycle, which he wanted to read. I was very worried that the publications will be sold out before the holidays, and then worried that with the business at work – the end of the quarter – I did not have time to pick up, but I had to fear the queues at the post office.
I picked up the gift at the last minute, on the day we were going to a family New Year’s Eve celebration. My husband had already picked me up by car on the way. He also drove the gift for me.
He and I both work and make good money. We never had any problems with money, and therefore we chose good quality gifts for each other. We decided not to think too much about presents for the relatives, but we bought something for my parents, too, as we celebrated at their place this year.
We have a family tradition not to sleep until midnight just to be like this impatiently, accompanied by wild delight to rip off the wrapping paper and shouting “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”, my husband also got used to it.
First, of course, had to finish cooking and set the table, then drink a little, talk. My sister and her husband also came to the party. They sat there the whole evening with a sour expression on their face. I caught a glimpse of her husband talking about something with mine. I had no doubt that they were trying to borrow money.
And then the New Year came and it was time for the gift exchange. My sister and her husband hadn’t prepared anything for anyone, but my husband and I didn’t expect anything, and it was a shame for my parents. Judging by the even more unhappy look of my sister’s husband, my love refused to lend them anything. But I was finally convinced of this after my husband and I gave each other gifts. He was very happy with the books, and gave me a nice cosmetic set. My sister must have guessed how much it cost, and snorting asked why we had money for it and not for the rest. Is it on them?
My husband couldn’t help asking why they were counting other people’s money. If they like it so much, they should go and work as bankers or something, if only they wouldn’t ask us for more. Then a big scandal broke out in the house. Several more times they mentioned the cost of the books I had bought and my husband’s cosmetics. Mom and Dad tried to reconcile and reassure everyone, and my sister cried, proving that they were in need, and that they would have used our money wisely.
And I don’t understand how they even dare talk about the money my husband and I earn. We have our family, they have theirs. We work for our own good.
After meeting them, I was left with an unpleasant residue on my mind. To some extent I feel sorry for my sister, and I sympathize with her, but like my husband, I think it is time for them to do something on their own, not just ask. In general, for the next holidays I do not want to see them, and in general, it is better to exchange gifts for the house and exclusively for my and my husband’s eyes, so that no one unnecessary kept a mental calculation of our expenses, the bank app in the phone perfectly copes with this.
