My stepdad always made a big deal about being the “man of the house,” but when his “special gift” for my mom’s birthday turned out to be a pack of toilet paper, I decided it was time for payback. And let’s just say someone else ended up desperately needing that present.
My stepfather, Jeff, loved reminding us he was the breadwinner of the house throughout our entire childhood. Anytime we sat down to dinner, he’d start with his usual spiel.
A man lauhing at a dinning table | Source: Midjourney
“You’re lucky I keep this roof over your heads,” he’d say and chortle. He also said it all the time while leaning back on his worn-out recliner. It was his favorite thing in the world.
My mom, Jane, always nodded along. She was the kind of woman who avoided conflict at any cost. She wasn’t raised in the 1950s, but her upbringing had been different from ours. Staying quiet had become almost an art form for her.
As her kids, my siblings (Chloe, Lily, and Anthony) and I could see that she desperately wanted to speak up but didn’t. Meanwhile, we surely didn’t consider him “the king of the castle” or a “real man,” which were other phrases Jeff used to describe himself.
A woman at a dinning table | Source: Midjourney
Yes, he paid all the bills while we were growing up, and we were thankful. But that wasn’t an excuse to treat our mother like a servant and think he was better than the rest of us.
We had tried for years to get Mom to leave him to no avail.
Eventually, we all moved out of their house as we reached adulthood, but my sisters and I continued to visit Mom often. Anthony lived on the other side of the country, but he checked in every other day.
A man on the phone | Source: Midjourney
Still, we worried about her.
I felt that our visits weren’t enough to truly know what was going on in that house. I often sat alone in my apartment and wondered if Mom would ever leave this man and if there was something he could do to finally make her snap out of her proverbial shackles.
Yes, this is where it gets good.
This year, Jeff simply went too far. For days leading up to Mom’s birthday, he wouldn’t stop bragging about the “special gift” he’d picked out for her.
A man on a reclining chair | Source: Midjourney
“This one’s going to knock her socks off,” he said over dinner at their house, grinning like a buffoon.
I wanted to believe him. Maybe he had finally decided to treat her with the respect she deserved. But deep down, I knew better. Jeff was Jeff, and people like him never changed.
My mom’s birthday arrived, and of course, my sisters and I were there, sitting in the living room. Jeff had a twinkle in his eyes, and I knew Mom had hope in hers.
Three sisters with presents in their hands | Source: Midjourney
After she opened our presents, my stepdad handed her a huge, beautifully wrapped package. He was smiling, and my mom’s face lit up as she carefully untied the ribbon.
“Oh, Jeff, you didn’t have to,” she said softly.
“Yes, I did. Go on. Open it,” he urged, leaning forward in his chair.
She unwrapped the box slowly, savoring the moment… until she saw what was inside— toilet paper. 12-pack. Four-ply. Jumbo rolls.
A woman smiling with a big present | Source: Midjourney
Mom blinked in confusion.
“It’s so soft. Just like you!” Jeff declared, slapping his knee and cackling. “And look, four-ply, to represent your four kids. Perfect, right?”
Mom let out a nervous laugh, but I could see her eyes glistening. My sisters and I exchanged a look. This wasn’t just a bad joke; it was cruel.
We’d had enough. We had to do something.
A woman looking angry | Source: Midjourney
***
Two days later, our plan began to take shape. Jeff loved two things: being the “big man” and free food. So, we invited him to a “family dinner” at the Chinese restaurant he always raved about.
Chloe, my youngest sibling, was the one who planted the idea.
“We’ll do it in his favorite place. He won’t suspect a thing,” she said, smirking.
Lily, being the eldest and most practical, raised an eyebrow. “And what happens after?”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Chloe replied. “We’ll handle it.”
A woman smiling | Source: Midjourney
We set the date and made sure to hype it up, so Jeff wouldn’t miss it.
“Dinner’s on us this time,” Chloe told him sweetly
Jeff puffed out his chest. “Well, it’s about time someone else paid for once. I’m glad that being out of the house has finally opened your eyes to how great you fared because of me!”
We rolled our eyes internally.
The restaurant was bustling that night. Shiny red lanterns hung from the ceiling, giving the space a nice reddish glow.
Chinese restaurant | Source: Midjourney
The food from other tables smelled delicious, and I could tell Jeff was hungry as we sat down at our table.
“When are your mom and Lily getting here?” he asked, wrinkling his nose toward the front door.
“Don’t worry. They’ll be here soon. How about we order food anyway?” I suggested, nodding towards Chloe.
She agreed and started rattling off things she wanted, things we specifically planned to order: Szechuan beef, Kung Pao chicken, and the spiciest mapo tofu on the menu.
Chinese menu | Source: Midjourney
Jeff ordered his usual, but I knew what we had in mind would still work.
Each dish came out looking like a masterpiece of fiery reds and deep browns, garnished with fresh herbs and enough chili to make a grown man cry.
Chloe’s eyes twinkled as the waiter finished arranging everything on the table.
“Jeff, you can handle spicy, right?” she asked, pretending to be concerned.
A woman smiling at Chinese restaurant | Source: Midjourney
Jeff stayed silent for a second, stumped, then nodded quickly. “I didn’t realize you gals wanted to share everything. Of course, I can eat anything. Nothing is ever too spicy for a real man.”
I chimed in with, “Be careful with these, though. They’re pretty hot.”
I just knew my words would make him mad.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Amelia,” Jeff scoffed and took his chopsticks to skewer a piece of beef straight into his mouth.
A man looking serious at a Chinese restaurant | Source: Midjourney
At first, he gave out an exaggerated moan, to “prove his manliness,” but soon, his face turned redder than the lanterns above us. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he chewed and breathed through his nose.
“Everything alright?” Chloe asked, again faking worry.
“Yes, yes,” he lied through his full mouth. “This is good stuff.”
I was sure Jeff wouldn’t grab more after gulping down an entire glass of Coke, but Chloe and I began eating in earnest.
“Oh, it’s not so spicy after all,” Chloe commented, smiling sugary-sweet. She was baiting him.
A woman smiling with chopsticks in her hand | Source: Midjourney
I nodded, grabbing more.
Not to be outdone, Jeff began to eat more. He was breathing roughly now, but when we asked if he was alright, he simply said, “This really clears the sinuses, gals.”
Still, his fingers went up and snapped at the waiter to bring him more Coke.
Chloe leaned over and whispered, “He’s going to feel that later.”
“Oh, definitely,” I whispered back, grinning conspiratorially.
A woman smiling | Source: Midjourney
***
While Jeff was busy showing off his “macho” tolerance for heat, Mom and Lily were busy back at the house with a rented U-Haul and movers.
They worked quickly to load up Mom’s belongings, such as clothes, keepsakes, her favorite chair, and even the toaster. I told them to take the things Mom had given Jeff over the years by saving up when she could: the recliner and his specialty tools.
A truck and workers loading boxes | Source: Midjourney
But the pièce de résistance was Chloe telling them to remove every single roll of toilet paper in the house.
***
Jeff was still red when we left the restaurant, and he was grumbling about Mom and Lily being no-shows. So I just suggested going to the house to see if anything had happened.
When we arrived, everything was ready. The truck had already left. Meanwhile, Mom and Lily were hiding in the garage.
Jeff walked in with Chloe and me right behind him. He barely made it two steps into the living room before he froze.
A dimly lit living room | Source: Midjourney
“Where’s my recliner?” he barked, scanning the empty spot.
“Gone,” Chloe piped in casually, tilting her head. “Mom took what’s hers.”
Jeff turned to us and his face reddened again, but before he could say another word, his stomach gurgled loudly. He doubled over slightly, clutching his gut.
“Oh, man, I think that spicy food—” He paused, looking around frantically.
A man holding his stomach | Source: Midjourney
“Is something wrong, Jeff? I hope it wasn’t the food,” I said, blinking innocently.
He stared daggers at me before bolting down the hall. Moments later, we heard the bathroom door slam.
Lily and Mom appeared out of their hiding spot right in time to hear the sound of Jeff panicking. “What the hell? Where’s all the toilet paper?!” he yelled.
I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“We took that along with the recliner!” I shouted, laughter bubbling up. “After all, it also belonged to Mom!”
A woman laughing | Source: Midjourney
“WHAT?” he shouted back.
It seemed like he wasn’t getting it, so Mom stepped closer to the bathroom door. “I’M LEAVING YOU, JEFF! And I took what was mine,” she exclaimed firmly. “Including my dignity.”
Jeff groaned loudly from behind the bathroom door. “You can’t just leave me like this!” he yelled.
“WATCH ME!” Mom replied, adding, “Not that you can right now, but enjoy staying in the bathroom all night!”
A woman next to a closed door | Source: Midjourney
My sisters and I stared at each other, giggling.
Jeff groaned, and there were other unsavory sounds, which I took as our cue to leave. “Let’s go, Mom,” I said.
She nodded and walked out, thanking us.
***
The next day, Jeff tried to call her. Over and over again, he left voicemails full of fake apologies and pitiful excuses.
“Jane, come on, be reasonable! You can’t just run off like this!” he begged.
A man using a phone | Source: Midjourney
But Mom didn’t answer or call back.
Instead, Chloe had a better idea.
On his birthday, we sent Jeff a little gift. A jumbo pack of toilet paper, wrapped just as carefully as the one he’d given Mom.
Attached was a handwritten note that read: “For a real man.”
Rolls of toilet paper on a porch | Source: Midjourney
Mom moved in with Lily, a temporary arrangement where we all helped while she found a job. Anthony was delighted to learn about what we had done and wished he was there, too.
From what I hear, Jeff’s still complaining to anyone who’ll listen. But Mom is finally living her life without his control, and we couldn’t be prouder.
A happy woman | Source: Midjourney
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
I Went to My School Reunion to Take Revenge on My Childhood Crush, Until I Learned What Really Happened Back Then — Story of the Day
Joan scrolled through her school album remembering what her thoughts were back then. It had already been twenty years since graduation, but Joan still remembered the boy who broke her young heart. In anticipation of meeting him at the reunion, she didn’t know that he hadn’t been the one to blame.
As I sat flipping through my old school photos, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over me. It had been 20 years since I graduated, but looking at the pictures made it feel like just yesterday.
There I was—young Joana Cooper, with that silly, hopeful smile plastered on my face, and beneath my yearbook photo, a cheesy quote I once thought was so profound:
“Love is a two-person job.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I laughed at how naive I had been back then, but my laughter quickly faded as my eyes landed on his photo. Chad Barns. My high school crush. The boy who had captured my heart for years.
I had been head over heels for Chad back then—leaving secret love notes in his locker, trying to flirt in my awkward teenage way, and even stuffing valentines into his backpack when I thought no one was looking.
I was convinced we’d end up together, that he was the one.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I imagined our future so vividly, right down to our wedding day. But here I was, 38 years old, still single, and still wondering what had gone wrong.
Why had Chad suddenly shut me out all those years ago? He had ghosted me just before graduation, leaving me confused and heartbroken.
I hadn’t spoken to him since, but the memory of him still haunted me, even after all this time.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Just as I started to sink deeper into my thoughts, the doorbell rang, pulling me back to the present.
I set the photo album aside and went to open the door. My best friend Lora stood there, her usual bright smile lighting up her face.
“Ready for the school reunion, bestie?” she asked, her excitement contagious.
I hesitated, leaning against the doorframe.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Honestly, Lora, I’m not sure I want to go.”
She raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
“Why not? What happened?”
I let out a deep sigh.
“I was just going through my old photos, and it brought back a lot of memories. You know, about Chad.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Lora rolled her eyes dramatically, crossing her arms.
“Chad Barns? You’re still hung up on that after 20 years?”
“I know it sounds ridiculous,” I admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“But it still stings. We were so close, and then he just stopped talking to me, like I didn’t mean anything to him.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Lora stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
“Look, maybe he won’t even show up tonight. And even if he does, don’t let it ruin your night. This reunion is about catching up with old friends and having fun, not reopening old wounds.”
I forced a smile, trying to push my insecurities aside.
“You’re right. But if he’s there… I’ll make sure he remembers exactly what he missed.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Lora grinned.
“That’s the spirit.”
I was nervous the entire drive to the school reunion. My fingers tapped nervously against my lap, and I kept glancing out the window, lost in a whirlwind of emotions.
What if Chad showed up? What if he didn’t? A part of me wasn’t sure which would be worse.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
My heart felt like it was lodged in my throat, and the closer we got, the harder it was to breathe.
As we arrived at the venue, I glanced at my reflection in the rearview mirror one last time, adjusting my hair and smoothing down the fabric of my dress.
I couldn’t shake the nerves that clung to me like a second skin.
“Joan, you look gorgeous. Seriously, stop worrying about Chad—this is your night,” Lora said, her voice soft but firm.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“We’re going to have fun, okay?”
I gave her a weak smile, but the knot in my stomach wouldn’t loosen. “Thanks,” I muttered, still fidgeting with my dress.
“But what if he doesn’t come? I feel like a fool getting all worked up over this. It’s been so long, Lora.”
“You’re not a fool,” Lora said, rolling her eyes as if I had said something ridiculous.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Honestly, if he does show up, don’t waste your energy on him. Let him see what he missed, and let’s make this night about us, not him.”
Her confidence was contagious, and for a moment, I felt reassured. We stepped out of the car and headed toward the entrance, but with every step, my heart pounded harder.
The school loomed in front of me, bringing back a flood of memories—some good, some painful. I couldn’t believe I was walking back into this chapter of my life.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The reunion felt like stepping into a time machine. Familiar faces greeted us, people I hadn’t seen in years, some who had barely changed, others I barely recognized.
Laughter filled the air as old friends caught up, shared stories, and reminisced about the good old days. I was starting to relax, even enjoying myself, until I saw him.
Chad Barns.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
My heart skipped a beat as I spotted him across the room. He looked different—older, yes, but still handsome in that rugged, confident way I remembered.
He had a neatly trimmed beard now, and as soon as our eyes met, he smiled. A warm, familiar smile that hit me harder than I expected. All the anger and confusion I had buried deep inside for years rushed to the surface.
Why did he shut me out all those years ago? Why had he left me hanging without a word?
Before I could do anything—before I could even process what I was feeling—Lora grabbed my arm, gently but firmly pulling me in the opposite direction.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Remember what I said,” she whispered, her voice steady. “Don’t talk to him.”
“Okay,” I muttered, trying to follow her advice, but part of me was screaming to finally confront Chad, to demand the answers I had been waiting for all these years.
Later in the evening, after we had chatted with a few more classmates, Lora accidentally spilled her drink on her dress. “Oh no!” she exclaimed, looking down at the dark stain.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I just bought this! I’ll be right back, Joan, I need to go clean this up.”
I watched as she hurried off to the bathroom, leaving me alone for the first time that evening.
I glanced around, feeling a bit lost without Lora by my side. The reunion was in full swing, laughter and music filling the air, but I suddenly needed some space.
Without thinking, I made my way outside, toward the quiet bench in the schoolyard that used to be my favorite spot.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
It was the place where I would sit after classes, lost in my daydreams or writing in my journal. Tonight, it felt like the perfect place to clear my head.
Sitting down, I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the cool night breeze wash over me.
The memories of high school flooded back—how carefree I was back then, how hopeful. And then, the memories of Chad. I shook my head, trying to push them away, but they lingered, just like they always had.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me. I opened my eyes and turned to see Chad walking toward me, his familiar smile lighting up his face.
“Hey, Joana,” he said, his voice warm but tentative.
“Chad,” I replied, feeling my heart race in my chest. “It’s been a long time.”
“It has,” he said, stopping a few feet away from the bench. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted to talk to me. You’ve been avoiding me all night.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I laughed nervously, unsure of how to respond. “I wasn’t sure you wanted to talk to me after how things ended in high school.”
Chad looked genuinely confused. “What do you mean? I thought you didn’t want to see me after that letter.”
“Letter?” I repeated, frowning. “I never got a letter, Chad.”
He sighed, his expression turning serious.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I wrote you a letter asking you out to the park for a date. I left it in your locker, and when you didn’t show up, I figured you weren’t interested. I thought that’s why you stopped talking to me.”
I shook my head, completely stunned.
“Chad, I never got a letter. I thought you stopped talking to me out of nowhere. I couldn’t figure out what I did wrong.”
Before Chad could respond, I heard footsteps again. Lora appeared, looking flustered, her cheeks slightly flushed.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“What are you two talking about?” she asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice that I hadn’t noticed before.
“Lora,” I said slowly, piecing things together. “Do you know anything about the letter Chad sent me?”
Her face turned pale, and for a moment, she looked like she was about to deny everything. But then Chad stepped forward.
“Lora, you gave me Joana’s reply. You told me she wasn’t interested.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I turned to look at Lora, my stomach sinking as I saw the guilt in her eyes. “Is that true?” I asked, my voice shaking.
Lora looked down, her face flushed with embarrassment and regret. “I… I was jealous,” she admitted, barely above a whisper.
“I liked Chad, and I didn’t want you two to get together. I thought you’d forget about him if I made sure you never saw that letter.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
My chest tightened with a mix of disbelief and anger.
“You lied to both of us? You ruined everything because you were jealous?”
“I’m sorry,” Lora whispered, tears forming in her eyes. “I never thought it would matter after all these years. I just didn’t want to lose either of you.”
“Go away, Lora,” I said, my voice trembling with the weight of all the emotions I had kept bottled up for years.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
As Lora hurried off, a mix of sadness, anger, and relief washed over me.
Chad stepped closer, his arms wrapping around me in a gentle hug. I leaned into him, feeling the warmth I had missed all these years.
“All this time,” I whispered, my voice shaky, “I thought you didn’t care.”
Chad sighed, his voice soft. “I thought the same about you.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For a moment, we stood there in silence, holding onto each other, letting the weight of the past slowly slip away.
“We can’t change the past,” Chad said, his voice calm, “but we can decide what happens now.”
I looked up at him, wiping away my tears with a small smile. “You’re right.”
We spent the rest of the night sitting on that familiar bench, talking and laughing. We had lost so much time, but I felt hopeful we wouldn’t lose any more.
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Jim had just seen his girlfriend of ten years in bed with her best friend, and now he was sitting in a bar, drinking with a woman in a wedding dress. He thought his life was over. Ten years felt wasted, but who would have thought that one random meeting could end up saving both of their lives?
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