Complex family. Complex family. But when my aunt encouraged my sweet grandma to pay a “family vacation” and left her in a roach-infested motel, she crossed a boundary. My aunt never expected what happened next.
I know no one sweeter or more generous than my grandmother Marilyn. She bakes cookies for the neighbors just because, never forgets a birthday, and slips a $20 note into my purse even though I’m an adult with a full-time job.
“Doris, honey, just take it,” she said when I resisted. “It makes me happy to help out.”
She’s Grandmother. Always putting others first.
When my aunt Lori, her daughter, suggested a family vacation to “spend precious moments together,” my grandma was thrilled.
“Can you believe it?” Grandma excitedly called me. “Lori wants us to vacation together! She believes we should make memories now.”
I remembered a stomach twist. It’s surprising. Aunt Lori suggested?”
“Yes! Wonderful, right?” Grandma gushed. She desires time with her mother. Rachel’s coming!”
What didn’t Grandma know? Aunt Lori wasn’t planning a family vacation. A cash grab was her plan.
I should have anticipated. Aunt Lori usually only showed up when needed. No birthday parties. Holidays? Only with pricey gifts.
She suddenly wanted family time? A clear RED FLAG.
Aunt Lori spun well.
We don’t know how long we’ll have with you, mom! Take a special trip together! “Just me, you, and Rachel,” she said over Sunday dinner, grasping for Grandma’s hand.
Rachel, Aunt Lori’s spoilt daughter, nodded happily. We could get massages, Grandma! Walk on the beach at sunset!”
Grandma rejoiced. She has the brightest eyes since Grandpa died. “That would be great, girls. Just lovely.”
The catch followed.
“Mom, we’ve already found the PERFECT resort!” Aunt Lori gushed over coffee the next day. I stopped by and heard everything. Elegant spa, oceanfront, all-inclusive meals, complete relaxation. However, it’s costly. We’ve been struggling financially. You know Rachel’s college costs…”
After Grandma informed me her decision, I felt sick. She paid for the vacation.
“Grandma,” I asked softly, “are you sure? That’s costly.”
A grandmother patted my hand. Doris, your aunt works hard. She rarely requests.”
Asks rarely? My thoughts. That’s false.
After years of “borrowing” money from Grandma, Aunt Lori Never-repaid money.
Grandma missed Aunt Lori’s prank.
She remarked, “You deserve a break,” and wrote a check for Aunt Lori’s huge $5000.
I wanted to shout. Grandma done more than her daughter deserved, I wanted to tell her.
I hugged Grandma and promised to call her while she was away.
“It’ll be great,” she said. “A proper family vacation. Due long ago.”
Little did she know how “wonderful” this family trip would be.
Aunt Lori promised to secure three VIP ocean-view rooms at a five-star resort once Grandma funded the vacation.
Mom, we’ll be together! She showed Grandma glossy photographs of infinity pools and white beaches, saying it would be beautiful.
However, Grandma received a booking email the night before the trip.
Only two rooms existed.
Confused, she called Aunt Lori.
“Oh, that’s strange,” Grandma said as I helped her pack. “The confirmation only shows two rooms, not three.”
Aunt Lori chuckled. “Oh, Mom! The motel was nearly filled! Rachel and I will share, and you’ll have one close.”
Grandmother, always trusting, answered, “Okay, sweetheart. While we’re together.”
“Grandma, can I see that email?” I asked after she hung up.
I noticed something was wrong when she handed me her phone and I read the email.
Aunt Lori called again with last-minute “details.” I didn’t have time to check.
The next day, I dropped Grandma off at the airport.
“Call me when you get there,” I said, hugging her.
She giggled, “Don’t worry so much.” “I’m going to have a wonderful time with my daughter and granddaughter.”
But when they arrived at the resort?
Aunt Lori and Rachel checked into the five-star resort immediately.
And Grandma?
They left her off at a rundown motel nearby.
My lovely, classy 76-year-old grandma stood in the lobby of a shabby motel with discolored carpets, flickering lights, and cigarette smoke.
She kept trying to understand.
“The driver must have erred,” she told the exhausted clerk. “My daughter booked us at OCP Resort. Not this motel.”
A clerk shook his head. “No ma’am. The reservation was made three days ago. Full payment. You should stay.”
She couldn’t believe it as she entered her room.
The walls peeled. Questionable sheets. A cockroach was on the nightstand.
She called Aunt Lori despite her pride.
Her gentle question was, “Honey, are you sure this was the only place available?”
Aunt Lori exhaled. “Mom, you don’t know how hard I worked for this vacation. Too many guests at the resort. Just a few nights! Thank goodness we’re together!”
They weren’t together.
While Aunt Lori and Rachel had cocktails by the infinity pool, my grandma sat on a rock-hard mattress, looking at a flickering fluorescent light.
She called me then.
Then I saw crimson.
“Doris,” she trembled. Not sure I can stay here. There are bugs.”
“Bugs? Grandma, where are you?”
“The motel,” she muttered. “It’s not quite what I expected.”
Grandma sent me motel images, and I understood immediately.
Neither Aunt Lori nor Rachel tried to reserve her a room. They put Grandma in a dump after spending her money on a VIP vacation.
Hell no.
“Grandma, don’t unpack,” I said. Give me an hour. They’ll learn from me “I hung up.
Immediately contacted Aunt Lori.
Cheered, “Oh, hi Doris!” Guess what? We’re eating at a posh restaurant tonight! Please attend. If not too busy.”
“Oh, I’ll be there,” I said. “Don’t worry. My schedule is empty.”
Aunt Lori didn’t know she was about to have the worst dinner ever.
I reserved the most expensive suite at Aunt Lori’s hotel. For Grandma.
Aunt Lori’s credit card would be debited. I also ordered a fancy hotel meal.
How?
Grandma utilized Aunt Lori’s travel rewards account to pay for the vacation. Aunt Lori left her saved credit card information in the system, luckily.
Just one call, bam. Room upgraded.
The nicest part was that Grandma’s new room cost more than Aunt Lori’s.
I quickly picked up Grandma from the motel when I arrived in town.
“You don’t have to worry about anything now, Grandma,” I said. “I’ve booked a better room for you.”
“But Doris,” Grandma said. “I don’t understand—”
“Trust me, Grandma,” I grabbed her hands. “Nobody messes with my family.”
With bag in hand, I marched Grandma past Aunt Lori and Rachel at their elegant dinner later that night.
Aunt Lori gasped.
“Mom? What’s up?” She gasped, almost choked on lobster.
“Oh, I’m just moving to my real room,” Grandma grinned.
“But we already booked you a decent motel room!” she exclaimed, setting down her fork. “Why are you here?”
“Decent?” A laugh. There were cockroaches, Aunt Lori. COCKROACHES.”
Rachel shuffled uncomfortably. “Mom, you said Grandma wanted something simple…”
I smiled softly. You meant a filthy, inexpensive hotel? And Aunt Lori?” I leaned in. “This room and dinner for grandma are fully charged to your card.”
Aunt Lori purpled.
“What?!” she panicked. “No! What a mistake!”
I showed her the receipt on my phone.
“No mistake,” I answered calmly. “Just like it was no mistake that you dumped Grandma in that fleabag motel while you two lived it up on her dime.”
Everyone in the restaurant was staring at us. Aunt Lori squirmed uneasily, knowing she had to pay for Grandma’s lavish accommodation and meal.
“This is ridiculous,” she raged. “Mom, are you really going to let her do this?”
Grandma towered. “Lori, I think I should start making my own money decisions. Who deserves it.”
That night, Grandma lived it up in her luxury suite. She drank free drinks and ate the greatest restaurant food.
Grandma toasts “to family,” as we sit on her oceanfront balcony that night. “The ones who truly care.”
Aunt Lori scarcely spoke to Grandma the rest of the trip. Grandma cut her off when they arrived home.
No more “help” with costs. No more generous “emergency.” checks. Stop covering Aunt Lori’s irresponsible financial mistakes.
Grandma finished.
Story lesson?
Not always getting even is the best payback. Teaching someone a lifelong lesson and showing someone you love they deserve more.
Do you think I did right? What would you do in my situation?
If you liked this tale, try another: My sister’s reaction when I spilled our grandmother’s jewelry on her coffee table in front of her friends was priceless. Sophia was always able to get away with anything until now. Sometimes only public humiliation can communicate with entitled people.
Inspired by true events and people, this work is fictionalized for creativity. To preserve privacy and enrich the story, names, characters, and facts were changed. Any resemblance to real people, events, or places is unintentional.
The author and publisher neither guarantee event authenticity nor character characterization and are not liable for misinterpretation. While this work is presented “as is,” the characters’ viewpoints do not reflect those of the author or publisher.