Madeleine’s birthday takes an unexpected turn when her sister’s diet obsession turns the celebration upside down. Determined not to ruin her special day, Madeleine plans a bold move and gives Fiona a taste of her own medicine. Will Madeleine’s daring response save the day or create even more chaos?
“Fiona, can you come over to help with the birthday party?” I asked, sitting comfortably on my plush sofa, my phone pressed to my ear.
“Sure, Madeleine,” Fiona replied cheerfully. “What do you need me to do?”
“Decorations and food,” I said, relief washing over me. “I could really use an extra pair of hands!”
“No problem,” she said. “I’ll take care of it.”
I smiled, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “Thanks, Fiona! What would I do without you? I’ll send you some money for the decorations, drinks, and a simple BBQ.”
“Got it. I’ll make sure everything looks perfect,” Fiona assured me.
After hanging up, I quickly transferred the money to her account.
I trusted Fiona with the decorations; she had an eye for detail and always made everything look beautiful. I texted her the list of things we needed and told her I’d leave the keys under the doormat.
“Hey, sweetheart, are we all set for the party?” my fiancé, Albert, asked as I sent my last text to Fiona.
“Almost,” I said, standing up and giving him a reassuring smile. “Fiona’s handling the decorations and food. We just need to pick up some cups and plates from the supermarket.”
“Didn’t we already have enough?” he asked, a little puzzled.
“I thought so, too,” I admitted, shaking my head. “But it turns out we’re short. I don’t want to risk running out during the party.”
“Good call,” Albert said, grabbing the car keys. “Let’s go then. Better to get this done early.”
As we drove to the supermarket, I felt both excited and nervous. Hosting a party always brought these feelings, but having Fiona and Albert helping made everything easier.
I thought about the backyard and how I wanted it to look festive and welcoming. Fiona’s decorations would be perfect, and the BBQ would keep everyone happy and full.
“Are you okay?” Albert asked, glancing at me as he drove.
“Yeah,” I replied, smiling. “Just thinking about how everything will turn out.”
“It’ll be great, Madeleine,” he said, squeezing my hand. “We’ve got this.”
We arrived at the supermarket and quickly gathered the cups and plates we needed. As we loaded them into the car, I felt a sense of accomplishment.
Everything was coming together.
“And we’re back!” I called out as Albert and I walked into the backyard, carrying the cups and plates. But my smile quickly turned to shock as I took in the scene before me.
The table was filled with an array of vegetables, rice cakes, and several containers of 0% yogurt, which was essentially yogurt with no fat or sugar.
And instead of a proper cake, there was half a watermelon with candles stuck into it.
My heart sank. This wasn’t what I had in mind at all.
I turned to Albert, whose eyes widened in disbelief. “What’s going on here?” he asked, clearly puzzled.
“I don’t know,” I said, confused.
I spotted Fiona arranging the table and quickly walked over to her, pulling her aside. “Fiona, what happened to the BBQ??” I asked, trying to keep my frustration in check.
“Well, it wasn’t a good idea considering your size, so I chose better options!” she said matter-of-factly.
I was shocked.
I come from a “bigger” family and have learned to love myself as I am. However, Fiona has always struggled with her self-image, trying hundreds of diets but never sticking to any of them.
I felt my cheeks flush with anger, knowing she’d done it because of her diet obsession! But I swallowed my anger as causing a scene wouldn’t help anything. The guests were starting to arrive, and I didn’t want to ruin the evening for everyone.
“So yeah, what was I saying? Yep, I just thought healthier options would be better for you, Madeliene,” she said, looking at me as if she had done me a favor.
“Fiona, this is a party! People expect to have fun and enjoy good food!” I almost snapped.
“I just thought this would be better,” she shrugged as if it was no big deal.
Taking a deep breath, I decided I had to fix this. I walked over to Albert, who was also puzzled by the spread.
“Albert, we need to order some normal food. The guests will be here any minute,” I said.
“Alright, I’ll call the pizza place and get some burgers delivered, too. We can’t let this ruin the evening.”
“Thank you,” I said, grateful for his quick thinking.
As Albert made the calls, I tried to mingle with the arriving guests, keeping a smile on my face despite my frustration. Everyone was polite, but I could see the confusion in their eyes as they looked at the food.
“What’s going on with the food?” one of our friends asked.
“Just a little mix-up,” I said with a forced laugh. “We’ve got some more food coming soon.”
Soon, Albert came back, giving me a reassuring nod. “Food’s on its way. Should be here in about thirty minutes,” he whispered to me.
“Perfect,” I sighed. “Thank you, Albert.”
“Don’t worry, Madeleine,” he said, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “We’ll turn this around.”
With Albert’s reassuring nod, I felt a bit more at ease, knowing that more food was on its way. But I was starting to place the order for the BBQ when Fiona snapped.
“SORRY FOR BEING SUCH A TERRIBLE SISTER AND TRYING TO HELP YOU LOSE ALL THIS FAT!” she screamed, her voice echoing across the backyard. “KEEP STUFFING YOURSELF WITH BBQ, BUT DON’T EXPECT ME TO CHEER YOU UP WHEN YOUR FIANCÉ KICKS YOU OUT!”
The sudden outburst left everyone stunned. The guests looked around awkwardly, not sure what to do or say. I felt my face flush with embarrassment and anger!
“Fiona, will you please stop it?!” I said, pulling her aside again.
She glared at me, her eyes filled with frustration. “I was only trying to help you, Madeleine. You never listen!”
“Look, this is not the time or place for this,” I said, my hands shaking slightly. “We have guests here. Can we please talk about this later?”
“Everyone, let’s enjoy the evening. The food will be here soon, and we can all have a good time,” Albert announced, facing the guests. I could only feel grateful he was there to handle the situation with me.
Fiona crossed her arms, fuming, but she didn’t say anything further. I could see the guests shifting uncomfortably. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure.
“I’m sorry, everyone,” I said, addressing the crowd. “There was a bit of a misunderstanding, but it’s all sorted now. Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
With that, I turned and hurried inside to write a note for the delivery guy. “Please make sure to hand the order directly to me (Madeleine), not my sister,” I scribbled quickly, sticking the note on the front door.
The minutes dragged on as I anxiously awaited the arrival of the food. I kept glancing at the clock, hoping it would get there soon so we could move past the awkwardness. Finally, the doorbell rang.
I opened the door to greet the delivery guy, who handed me the bags filled with BBQ and other goodies.
“Thank you so much,” I said, taking the food from him.
“No problem,” he replied with a friendly smile.
Carrying the food back to the backyard, I took a deep breath. I was determined to salvage the evening, no matter what. But I was also going to teach Fiona a lesson about respecting boundaries and understanding what it means to truly help someone.
“Alright, everyone,” I announced, placing the BBQ and sides on the table. “The food is here! Let’s dig in and enjoy the evening!”
I began handing each guest a plate piled high with BBQ meat, salads, and sides. As I served, I made sure to keep my composure, smiling and chatting with everyone.
When I reached Fiona, I couldn’t help but feel a little mischievous. I stacked all the rice cakes and vegetables on a plate for her, making sure it was an impressive tower of the healthiest options available!
“Fiona,” I called out, drawing everyone’s attention. “I’ve got a special plate just for you!”
She looked up, surprised by the attention. As I handed her the plate, I couldn’t resist adding a little jab. “Here you go, Fiona. Make sure to stick with the healthy stuff. I wouldn’t want you to become unlovable by eating something unhealthy!”
Fiona’s face turned bright red. She stared at the plate, then looked at me with a mix of embarrassment and anger. “Thanks,” she mumbled, barely able to meet my eyes.
“Everyone, enjoy!” I said cheerfully as I moved on to serve the next guest.
I also kept an eye on Fiona. She stood off to the side, barely touching her plate. I could see the discomfort and humiliation on her face. Eventually, she put the plate down and made her way towards the exit.
“I’m leaving,” she said quietly as she passed by me, avoiding eye contact.
“Okay,” I replied, shrugging.
I watched her walk away, feeling a sense of relief.
The BBQ was a hit, and people came up to me, complimenting the food and the decorations. It was exactly the kind of evening I had hoped for despite the rocky start. Most importantly, my “sweet” sister received a taste of her own medicine.
What would you have done?
Poor Guy Escapes on His Wedding Day, 50 Years Later Bride Discovers It Was Her Father’s Plan – Story of the Day
Karl was forced to run away from his wedding, but Jessica never understood why he stood her up at the altar. Years later, she received a note in the mail with his name on it. No matter how much time had passed, Jessica never forgot him, and what he wrote was astonishing.
“You will leave this church immediately and never return. Do you understand me, boy?” Hubert Pennigton, Jessica’s father, threatened Karl with a stern look. They were standing in the men’s dressing room behind the church, and Jessica was getting ready just across the hall in the other room.
“I’m not a boy, sir. I’m a man, and I love your daughter. I will not abandon her. It’s our wedding day,” Karl insisted, pleading his future father-in-law to understand.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“I never liked you two dating, and I’m not going to let this continue. My daughter will not be marrying a loser who works paycheck to paycheck,” the older man sneered. “Do you hear me? I have friends in high places, as well as connections in some others. I can make your life a nightmare. If you don’t disappear willingly, I’ll make you leave by any means necessary.”
“Is that a threat?” Karl asked, squaring up to Hubert, trying not to show how afraid he was. He knew Jessica’s family was connected to some important people and a few dangerous folks, too, so Karl knew the older man’s words were not in vain.
“I don’t make threats, boy, I make promises. Now, you will leave this place right now without anyone noticing and ghost Jessica forever, OR ELSE!” Hubert finished, raising his voice, in the end, to get his point across thoroughly. He poked his index finger in Karl’s chest painfully, gave him a disdainful look, and exited.
Karl didn’t know what to do. He truly loved Jessica, but her father would hurt them both just to get his way. He paced around the room for a few more minutes then decided to leave before his groomsmen came to find him. He was quick, exiting through the back of the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan and hailing a cab right there.
“Where to, sir?” the taxi driver asked.
“DTW, please,” Karl replied. He was going to the airport and flying across the country to get away from these people. I hope Jessica can forgive me, Karl thought while resting his elbow on the window sill and facing out.
Fifty years later…
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
At 75, Jessica liked to sit outside on her porch and watch the kids running around Rosedale Park Historic District, one of the best neighborhoods in Detroit. She always took a cup of tea and a book to read. It was a peaceful time, but Jessica inevitably thought about her life during those times. Today was that kind of day.
She remembered her first wedding well, as it was the only time she was ever excited to have one. Karl was the love of her life, or so she thought. But when she reached the end of the aisle on her father’s arm, she saw everyone’s worried faces. Karl had disappeared, and no one knew why. They waited hours for him to return.
His groomsmen went to his house, and everything was intact. But Karl never returned, and Jessica cried on the steps of the Masonic Temple for several more hours. It was one of the best wedding venues in the city, and she always dreamed of getting married there. However, it was not to be. Her mother comforted her as best she could, but her father was actually happy.
Five years later, her father introduced her to Michael Keller, the son of a family friend. He was wealthy and connected, so her dad pushed until she accepted his proposal. They got married and had a daughter, Cynthia, almost immediately. However, Jessica filed for divorce the moment her father died.
Her husband had cheated throughout their entire relationship and was glad to separate from her, so it was a win-win situation for everyone involved. She took the then-six-year-old Cynthia, moved to her house in the Rosedale Park area, and forgot about her failed love life.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Years went by, and Cynthia grew up to become an amazing career woman. She got married right there at the Masonic Temple and gave Jessica three gorgeous grandchildren, who visited often.
I had a great life, Jessica thought to herself while sipping her tea. It was true, although she never tried dating again. But once in a while, she thought about Karl and still wondered why he had disappeared.
Suddenly, the mailman snapped her out of her inner musings with a bright smile and a loud, “Hello, Mrs. Pennington!”
“Oh, dear. You scared me,” Jessica answered after almost dropping her tea.
The mailman laughed and apologized humorously. “I’m sorry, ma’am. But I have a letter for you. I think someone wrote it by hand even. So fancy! People don’t do that anymore,” the mailman said, handing Jessica the letter. She thanked him with a smile, and he left, waving goodbye.
The last thing she expected to see was the name “Karl Pittman” on the envelope, but it was right there along with her name and address.
“I can’t believe this,” she breathed and settled her cup of tea on the porch railing with a shaking hand. Suddenly, she was back at that church, crying on her mother’s shoulders.
Her hands still shook as she tried to open the envelope. She took a big breath before starting to read what was Karl’s unmistakable handwriting.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Dear Jessica,
I don’t know if you’ll be glad to hear from me. But after all this time, I want you to know that not a day goes by where I don’t think about you. Your father threatened me on our wedding day, and I was young and afraid. I shouldn’t have listened, but I did, and I ran off. I moved to California with nothing but the clothes on my back.”
Jessica had to stop reading for a few moments and wipe a few tears off. She knew her father had something to do with it. She knew Karl loved her and wouldn’t have done it otherwise. It didn’t change anything, but it soothed that old ache that never went away. Karl was right to leave. Her father never made threats he wasn’t serious about and didn’t take “no” for an answer. She focused on the letter again and continued reading.
“I never married nor had children. You were the love of my life, and I wanted nothing else. I hope this letter finds you well. I’m leaving my phone number, and there’s my address, so you can write me back if you want. I don’t know how to use Facebook, and all that stuff kids have these days. But I hope to hear from you.
Sincerely, Karl.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Jessica’s tears kept falling for several minutes after finishing the letter, but then she laughed. She also had no idea how to use all that technology available these days. Therefore, she got up and went inside to find her stationery. It was time to write back.
For the next few months, they wrote to each other often, recounting even the smallest moments in each other’s lives. Until Karl finally called her and they stayed on the phone for hours. A year later, he moved back to Detroit, and they rekindled their lost relationship.
They were old and might not have much time together, but they were going to enjoy one another’s love for as long as they could.
What can we learn from this story?
- It’s never too late to find love again. Jessica gave up on relationships for many years until she found the love of her life again at 75.
- Tell your partner the truth. If Karl had told Jessica about her father’s threats, they could’ve run away together or dealt with it in some form. But he took off, and they would never know what could’ve been.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a man who stole his grandmother’s money, but she got her revenge.
This account is inspired by our reader’s story and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
Leave a Reply