A son came to his parents’ anniversary with an expensive gift, but his seat at the table was given to his sister’s boyfriend and he himself was asked to wait off to the side β what he did the next morning shocked everyone π€―π±π³
Three weeks before his parents’ anniversary, Connor received a message from his mother: “This year we’re all getting together. I really hope you’ll come.” He reread it several times. In recent years the family had called him mostly when help was needed: to pay an urgent bill, fix a car or lend money until payday. But thirty years of his parents’ marriage seemed an important occasion to try to make things right.
Connor bought them an expensive watch and arrived at the restaurant early. He expected to calmly congratulate his parents and, at the same time, finally meet his sister Mia’s new boyfriend β Derek. However, at the entrance his mother met him with a confused smile and immediately started talking about the seating.
β We have a small mix-up, β she said, not looking him in the eye. β Derek was given your seat at the table. He’s part of the family now, you understand. Just stand for now, we’ll think of something.
Connor looked at the empty chairs at the neighboring table.
β Mom, you asked me to come. I brought a gift and thought there would be a place for me.
β Please, don’t start, β she replied. β Today is a celebration. Just wait for now.
At the table already sat his father, an aunt and cousins. When Connor came up, Derek held out his hand, and his father smirked:
β Don’t worry, son. You’re a tough one, you can stand.
Several people laughed. Connor smiled too, hoping it was just an awkward joke. But when he stepped over to the wall, the conversation went on without him. Soon his mother raised a glass and gave a toast, thanking Mia for bringing “such a wonderful man”. She didn’t say a word about Connor.
He waited for his father to at least turn around. He didn’t. A few minutes later the guests were so absorbed in conversation that they seemed to have forgotten: Connor was still standing nearby, with the gift in his hands.
Then he went up to the table, took the box and said quietly:
β I hope the evening turns out the way you planned it.
This time no one laughed. Connor left without waiting for an answer, and only in the car did he realize that he no longer wanted to earn the respect of people he had constantly helped.
A few days later Mia posted a photo of a new car. In the caption she thanked her parents for an “incredible gift”. Connor knew they had been saving for house repairs and had recently asked him for money for bills. He didn’t call until his mother dialed him herself.
β We need to talk, β she said. β Derek wants to open a business. We thought you could help him with the down payment.
β You’re asking me to give him money?
β He’ll soon be your relative. We’re family and should support each other.
Connor looked at the box with the watch that he had never given. After thinking a little, he said to his mother:
β Fine. But not now. Tomorrow morning, arrange a meeting at your house.
The next morning Connor came to his parents’ house and did something that shocked everyone.π³
Continue reading in the commentsβ¦ πππ
The next morning Connor came to his parents’ house not alone. With him was his friend Mark, who had worked as an accountant for several years. It was to him that Connor had called the day before, asking him to find out what kind of business Derek was going to open.
β You asked me to check where your money would go, β Mark said, putting a folder on the table. β I found Derek’s company. It has already closed with debts, and now he is trying to take out a new loan. As guarantors he listed your parents.
His mother turned pale. His father turned sharply to Derek.
β You said the bank just wanted references!
β I wanted to fix everything, β he muttered. β I only needed start-up capital.
Mark took out one more document. It listed the transfers that Derek had asked the parents for “for business development”. Part of this money, it turned out, had gone to the down payment on Mia’s car. She looked at her parents, then at Derek, not believing what she heard.
β You bought me a car with money you borrowed for him? β she asked.
His mother tried to justify herself:
β We thought Connor would help. He has always bailed us out.
β That’s exactly the problem, β Connor answered calmly. β You decided that my help belongs to you.
His father silently lowered his eyes. Derek began to argue, but Mia took the ring off her finger and put it on the table. Then she asked him to leave.
Connor didn’t give the family money. He offered to help his parents sort out their debts, if they themselves honestly told him whom they owed and how much. For the first time they didn’t ask him to simply close another problem.
As he was leaving, Connor left the box with the watch on the table.
β This is an anniversary gift. But trust will have to be earned anew.
This time no one asked him to stand by the wall.
