I live next door to my son Tom, his wife Lila, and my four-year-old grandson Max. I even gave them $40,000 toward their home so Max could grow up close to me. Max once gave me a toy walkie-talkie so we could “talk through the wall,” and I kept it on my apron, touched by his thoughtfulness.
I work nights as a dishwasher to make ends meet. Tom and Lila asked me to cover Max’s $800 monthly daycare, and I’ve been sending it without fail, wanting to support my family.
One night after work, I heard static on the walkie-talkie and then Lila’s voice saying, “We should rent out her spare room and get the money ourselves.” Tom added they’d finally go on vacation once I paid for Max’s swim lessons. Then Lila laughed that the daycare only cost $500 and they kept $300 each month. I was stunned.
They had been deceiving me, taking advantage of my generosity. I didn’t confront them right away; instead I stayed calm and began planning my next move. A few days later, on my birthday, they showed up smiling with cake, and I felt anger welling up inside me — I knew I had to act.