My DIL invited me to dinner. Midway through the meal, I excused myself to the restroom. On the way back, a waitress stopped me.
“Be careful,” she whispered. “Your daughter-in-law asked me to ignore it, but she was looking through your purse while you were gone.”
I froze for a second, unsure if I heard her correctly. My purse was just sitting on the chair next to me at the table.
Why would she go through it? I felt my stomach twist as I forced a polite smile to the waitress and quietly thanked her. I returned to the table, trying not to look suspicious.
My DIL, Sara, was sipping her wine, smiling as if nothing had happened. My son, Daniel, was scrolling on his phone, oblivious. I sat down, my heart still pounding.
I couldn’t stop thinking about what the waitress said. I had only brought a few essentials in my purse: my wallet, keys, phone, and a small envelope with some cash I had withdrawn earlier for a donation I planned to make. I suddenly felt uneasy about whether that envelope was still there.
I wanted to check my purse right there, but I knew it would be too obvious. So, I tried to make conversation, asking Daniel about his work and Sara about her recent yoga retreat. But the entire time, my mind kept circling back to the thought: Did she take something?
When dessert arrived, Sara excused herself to the restroom. This was my chance. I quietly reached into my purse under the table and checked.
My wallet was there, my phone, my keys… but the envelope was gone. My chest tightened. That envelope had $500 in it.
It wasn’t just money—it was meant for a family I knew from church who was struggling after a fire destroyed part of their home. I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me. I wanted to believe there was some other explanation, but deep down, I knew there wasn’t.
I didn’t say anything then. Instead, I paid the bill myself, even though Sara had invited me, and we all said our goodbyes in the parking lot. Daniel gave me a hug, and Sara smiled politely, like nothing was wrong.
That night, I barely slept. My mind kept replaying the moment, and I debated what to do. Should I tell Daniel?
Confront her directly? Or let it go for the sake of peace? The thought of accusing her and being wrong was terrifying, but the missing money wasn’t my imagination.
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