Just a few days before her scheduled labor induction, Julia was on the couch, struggling with back pain, when her husband, Mark, came in with a sandwich. Julia asked Mark to have his mom, Patricia, watch their golden retriever, Buddy, while they were at the hospital. Mark, always easygoing, called his mother, who happily agreed. The next day, as they were pulling into the hospital parking lot, Julia’s water broke, and after a difficult labor, they welcomed their new baby.
An Unexpected Bill
After three days in the hospital, Julia and Mark were excited to go home and introduce Buddy to his new brother. When they arrived, they found a folded note on the kitchen table, which they assumed was a welcome-home letter from Patricia. Instead, it was an invoice for $600 for dog-sitting, with a note that said, “I have to pay for my time.” Julia was shocked and furious. When Mark saw the note, he was just as upset and wanted to call his mom, but Julia stopped him, already forming a plan.
A Bill for a Bill
A week later, Patricia came over to meet her new grandson. After gushing over the baby, she casually asked when she could expect to receive the $600. Julia smiled and said she would be happy to pay, but only on one condition. She then went to her desk and pulled out a large folder she had created. The folder was an invoice listing every favor, cost, and time that she and Mark had helped Patricia in the past, including helping her move and paying for her car repairs. The total came out to $2,600.
Patricia’s face turned crimson. She yelled that it wasn’t fair to charge family for favors. Julia, however, calmly responded, “And I had to rearrange my entire life in order to give birth to your grandchild.” Patricia stormed out, slamming the door. Mark, who had witnessed the whole thing, laughed and told Julia he never wanted to get on her bad side. Julia, now settled on the sofa with her baby and dog, knew she wouldn’t have to pay a single penny.