When my sister-in-law asked me to watch her kids for “just an hour,” I cancelled dinner plans with a friend. She only showed up the next morning in a bridesmaid dress like nothing happened. I realized kindness without limits taught entitled people the wrong things…
so I showed her something else.
Sometimes I wonder if having “doormat” tattooed on my forehead would save everyone time. At least then people like my sister-in-law would know exactly what they’re getting when they text me last minute, desperate for favors they have no intention of repaying.
The text from my SIL Brianna lit up my phone at the worst possible moment. I was getting ready for dinner with Kate, my college roommate who was in town for exactly 24 hours.
“Hey Mia!
Quick favor? Need to run a tiny errand. Can you watch the kids for an hour?
Pretty urgent, please?”
I stared at my half-applied mascara in the bathroom mirror and sighed. Kate and I had reservations at Harvest Table, the new farm-to-table place downtown that required booking months in advance. But it was just an hour, right?
My fingers hovered over the keyboard before typing: “What time do you need to drop them off?”
The response was immediate: “You’re an angel!
Be there in 15!”
I texted Kate that I’d be a little late but would make it to dinner. Then I changed out of my dress and heels into jeans and a t-shirt. No point in risking spaghetti stains on silk.
The doorbell rang exactly 10 minutes later.
Brianna stood there, hair perfect, wearing a casual but expensive-looking blouse and jeans. Behind her, her three kids (Emma, 6; Liam, 4; and Zoe, 2) fidgeted on my porch steps.
“You are literally saving my life,” Brianna gushed, kissing each child on the forehead before practically skipping toward her SUV. “I’ll be back before you know it!”
“Wait,” I called after her.
“Where are you…?”
But she already closed her car door and waved as she backed out of my driveway. I checked my watch: 3:45 p.m.
“Aunt Mia,” Emma chirped, tugging at my shirt. “Mom said you have cookies.”
I looked down at their expectant faces and forced a smile.
“Well, let’s see what we can find.”
By 5:30 p.m., my living room resembled a toy store after a hurricane. I texted Brianna twice with no response. Kate had already texted asking if we should push dinner back to 8:00.
The story doesn’t end here — it continues on the next page.
Tap READ MORE to discover the rest 🔎👇
