My Entitled Sister Laughed When Her Kids Broke My Work $2,200 iPad — Instead I Taught Her a Lesson of Responsibility
Tyler has to deal with all the things he stifled in his heart when his highly prized tool gets damaged by his family during a visit. A damaged phone soon leads to a real problem that continues for years, as saying no can finally make things right again.
I have always put in effort to achieve what I have today.
Not like the kind of hard where you check how your muscles look after a workout. I am referring to the actual definition of hard work. Missing breakfast and lunch to pay for Photoshop a little longer, doing my laundry in the bathroom sink since I was living in a tiny apartment and going to a laundromat was not an option.
I have put in a lot of effort, I guarantee it.
All the money I got in my 20s was used to develop my freelance design business. Posters, jobs for bands, paying work for logos. I worked with a used tablet I chose from the pawn shop near me. It often did not work and the things they produced were very bad. There were days when I got compensated for the work, and other days when I did not.
I still went ahead despite the challenges.
After settling on the new contract, I decided to spend a big amount on an iPad Pro with 1TB of storage. My expenses for the trip were more than $2,000. For anyone unfamiliar with it, the device was just a tablet. It served as my main form of income.
It included all the components of running a business: my workspace, client encounters, and pressure of deadlines, all based on one system full of expensive hardware. After that, it made it possible for me to get significant deals.
Contracts that allowed me to move from the small shoebox into a better place. It allowed me to have a new beginning in life.
When I saw my parents’ floor covered by shards of the pottery I was angry, and my heart was hurt like it was broken too.
There we were at the holidays, all together for a few days until the new year would arrive. I locked my iPad in my father’s room after finishing the pitch, since I didn’t want little fingers to find it.
Early the next day, as I stretched and yawned, a cup of coffee made my morning thoughts, that is, until I entered the living room and noticed it.
On the wooden floor, the screen is completely damaged and no longer there. Just like removing the packaging on a Christmas present, the case quickly came apart and was thrown near by.
Josie was sitting at the beginning of the sofa with a mug reading Best Mom Ever. The mug was bought for my mom two years back.
What is it that you have there, Jo? I mentioned my iPad as I was pointing to the pieces on the ground.
Oh sure,” she replied in an easy voice. The iPad was broken by the kids, Bro. But take it easy, Tyler.
The phone my dad uses is Samsung and not the latest model. It manages YouTube along with different other applications. Everything is going to work out well for you.
At that moment, I just continued looking at her. No remorse was ever given. She doesn’t seem to regret what happened.
How could politicians end up with such massive wealth? I asked. Josie, they could never accomplish that objective.
She explained that she gave it to her friend. The audience wanted cartoons. You could have a better car, so why go for drama? Do not act like you can’t do it. You are in a good job.”
I said with care, Josie, that missile was one expensive piece of equipment.
Tyler, you have a lot of money. Why is this such a big issue?
Right now, I haven’t given you an answer. Not yet. However, I struggled through, feeling my jaw already hurt.
Maddie and Matt were sitting in cross-legged positions on the floor, playing with the TV’s remote. They acted just like their mother by not saying hello first when I arrived. They focused their attention on what they were doing and failed to look up.
I went to the door of the study. I was right, and it was open for visitors. The charger I use was sitting on the edge near the desk.
Why would you decide to do something that is not yours? I turned around and looked at Josie again.
They had tears in their eyes, she explained without any effort. They became frustrated because they were bored. I only wanted to enjoy the movie without disruptions. When they start throwing a tantrum, it is not easy being a mom to them. You weren’t bothering to use it, Tyler. You were sleeping at the time.
I was amazed by the words that were coming from her.
While playing with things that don’t belong to you, one of your kids broke them. I said.
She said it again, only this time she spoke up. You have the role of their uncle. You can’t actually share this place with your niece and nephew? What is the matter with you?”
I was shaking all over as what Craig intended to say became clear to me. I found it difficult to even talk to people. For this reason, I left the space and secured the door to the guest bathroom.
Josie has always acted in this way. Irresponsible. Entitled. An individual who claims to want a thousand dollars for diapers or groceries and never shows up for nearly half a year. She contacted me over the phone that her rent was past due and I sent her money quickly.
One week after that, she showed photos from a beautiful spa vacation, saying in the caption that she deserved some peace.
Once again, I was not brought up in any way. This is not possible.
It seems she thrives on using tough situations as a way to benefit herself. Stressful times that hold a person emotionally hostage. Most of the time, the problem is her car or her children if it’s not her rent. She assumes each time that I will get involved.
I have always wanted to be a writer.
I have been the one who makes the effort to understand the situation. A brother who does good by people. The fixer. The person who is not eager to create conflict at meals with family. The individual who seems calm but is really not all right.
However, it is not okay any longer.
For each time I keep silent about it, letting it go and paying for it, I show her that there aren’t any consequences to her actions. I simply can’t go on as I used to.
Not when she reached out to the things I gave her and passed them over to her kids. Her joy was visible only when her laughing lifted the pieces.
Not this time around.
Once we were done eating and the kids were asleep, I found Josie by herself in the living room while everyone was either resting or viewing the game in the den. While looking at her phone and tucking one leg under her, she held a bowl of popcorn.
While I was sitting down across from her, she never lifted her eyes.
I said that I was owed $2,200, speaking in a simple and fast voice. I wanted my sister to realize that what I said was no joke.
She laughed. She actually made a laughing sound. An expression that sounded as if I were making a bad joke.
Tyler, you should come along too,” she kept giggling. It does not matter too much. You can always purchase another one if this happens.
I said with sincerity, “I am not kidding.” My tone was consistent, even though my hands were quite sweaty.
Shocking. Having a tablet was apparently enough to push you over the edge toward becoming completely insane toward your sister. with an annoyed sound, she threw her phone down on the couch cushion.
This is not only about using a tablet. According to him, it means you are careless and refuse to take responsibility.
She was so bored by what I said that she only sighed and rolled her eyes.
Josie, I said as I leaned slightly closer to her. This is not about giving charity. Being a parent, you are responsible for your kids. You as the parents of Wesley and Kelly.
All the fees will have to be paid up front. The law says the person who did not win custody of the children should pay the parenting expenses. You come up with your own way of doing things.
Her expression twisted as if I had hurt her feeling personally.
Tyler, what you achieved is totally amazing. The people in a family are meant to forgive each other. It is expected that you should act like your niece and nephew are just as important to you as your own children.
It was not a surprise to me.
Josie, it means you should not pretend to be short on cash right after spending on a new SUV. Seriously, acting like this is very childish. I can’t tell who you are at the moment.
This was the breakout single for her. She tried to deny the accusation or yell, but only silence came out. Instead, she got up quickly and went outside to the patio, making the door bang shut loudly just like a teenager would.
I decided to go that same night. I gave my mother a hug. I was grateful and appreciated what my Dad had said. I gave some hugs to the children. Because their actions were wrong, it was all because of the way their mother brought them up. I did not tell Josie goodbye.
On the following morning, I went to the small claims court to register my case.
My sister rang me a few days after the incident and was shouting the entire time.
What is wrong with you, Tyler? she shrieked.
Hi, Jo, I said with no stress in my voice.
Is the lawsuit you mentioned still happening on the day we are having this conversation? Over kids?! Relatives who are children and have the same bloodline?
I told Jo no. I have decided to sue a person who is not ready to own up to what they did.
I finished the call by pressing the end button.
Days after we met for coffee, Mom explained that Josie was crying in the kitchen after I went. She said that my behavior has humiliated her. I felt bad for treating her like someone new in my life instead of my own sister. That she had to pay for services rendered. And even Mom seemed tired as she said those words, suggesting that Mother’s Day was having an effect on her as well.
I did not respond to what the perpetrator was doing. It became unnecessary for me.
Dad usually did not get involved in public arguments.
I did not think my sister would pay me back. I thought we would continue our separation for a while longer as I got my life together.
However, about a week after that, I got a message through my phone. The money was automatically deposited.
Paying everything in one single transaction. Unquestionably, I was the only one without any money.
She just figured, as usual, that I wouldn’t object.
I promised myself I would stop talking about it. If that were me, I’d spend the cash to get a new iPad and go on with my day.
That should have been all they had to do, correct?
Even so, the words Josie said that day kept bothering me.
People in a family should understand and forgive each other.
Those days, the feeling was stuck in my heart. Not its former sharp and quick self, but dull and heavy. As if it was a garment I was wearing without being able to remove it. I kept going over it again and again, worried that I had stepped too far. Sometimes I found myself doubting if I was actually turning into the villain in her story.
It stayed with me everywhere, perhaps making it seem as though I was the bad guy. Perhaps I was imagining things out of thin air.
Maybe I should not have tried to win.
Yet I recalled the fact that I had faced those feelings several times before.
For instance, when I was 23 and gave half of my paycheck to her because she said she could not pay rent, but the following week she showed in a photo holding a cocktail by the pool, using a glittery phone case with her initials on it.
For example, when Josie broke her car and Mom insisted that I co-sign a loan for her to get another one. That night, Josie called and cried on the phone to her friend. She told me that she would pay me back.
No, she did not reach the determined goal.
Another special occasion is Maddie’s birthday. Whenever Josie did not remember to organize anything. I was in a rush when I got up that day. I paid $200 for the decorations, bought cupcakes, rented a bouncy castle, and made it look as if it was her wish because I couldn’t see Maddie being upset.
Josie failed to say thank you. She did not say anything about why I worked hard. She acted like everything was fine and let people think she managed things without any problems.
She just expected me to stand between her wild decisions and the results. I’d always have to correct the mess, make things peaceful, tidy up when things went wrong.
However, those people do not change their ways if you give them an easy pass. They find out that some things lead to consequences for them. Tends to hurt the performance of businesses.
Two days after ordering, I got the new iPad. I slowly removed everything from its package, fixed a magnetic case on it, and installed my favorite apps. It was not a real form of forgiveness.
It seemed like dignity was captured inside a smooth and appealing case. It was the same as drawing a line and saying this is where we are. Now we have come as far as we can.
It was the first time I had left the blame behind. I gave her the experience of feeling what being an adult is like. I allowed her to feel uneasy as she realized she wouldn’t be able to manipulate or convince me to change my mind this time.
She was reluctant to talk to me once that incident was over. In reality, this was quite lucky for me.
But a month after that, she attached a picture.
It was Maddie and Matt seated at the dining table with lots of crayons and coloring books. Tabloid newspapers are a bare necessity, or else at best only moderately present. The caption tells us to leave screens alone that day. Only crayons and nothing else will be used in the activities.
Under the surface, there is always a meaning.
I didn’t expect you to go ahead and do this, Tyler. I tried to bring up the guilt factor once more. However, your logic might be correct. Perhaps being accountable was something I needed.
Maybe not a traditional apology, but it could become the foundation for a new understanding.
I stayed quiet and did not take any action to block her.
It can only make sense to others if they realize how your product works by destroying it.
Then prepare the invoice as you enjoy a piece of carrot cake.
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After Milly’s precious tea set is gone, her hunt for it escalates into an even worse situation. Because of all the silent excuse-making and nothing said, she has to consider what makes up their family’s legacy and traditions. It is a journey that focuses on remembering, being betrayed, and the time a woman decides to stop apologizing.
