Helping family is one thing. Being taken for a fool is another. When my sister Hannah dumped a $250 cake bill—and a $300 clown fee—on me for her daughter’s birthday party, I bit my tongue. But when she laughed off paying me back, I served her a slice of revenge… with sprinkles.
She’d begged me to help plan Sia’s party: “Just handle the cake and clown! I’ll pay you back right after.” Of course, that “right after” turned into silence, then an emoji-filled text: “🤣 Things are tight, sis!” Then, flat-out refusal. “You’re doing it for Sia, remember?”
My jaw dropped. $550 isn’t pocket change. I eat instant noodles when I overspend. Furious, I called the bakery. “Marcus,” I said sweetly, “Can you add a message to the cake?” Gold script, big letters: ‘Paid in Full by Me!’ with a dollar sign emoji. He chuckled. “Family drama?” I smiled. “Oh, you have no idea.”
At the party, Hannah beamed as guests praised her. But when the cake box opened and the message revealed itself, jaws dropped. Her smile vanished. She dragged me to the side, fuming. “You embarrassed me!” she hissed. “Over money!”
“You used me,” I snapped. “And I’m done being your free ride.” Minutes later, she Venmo’d me the full amount—right in front of everyone.
My phone lit up that night. Half the family was outraged. The other half applauded. I just made a grilled cheese and exhaled.
Some cakes come with frosting. This one came with justice.
