My in-laws had a habit.
They loved five-star restaurants, expensive wine, and ordering the most luxurious dishes on the menu.
But when the check arrived?
They vanished.
My mother-in-law would “forget” her purse.
My father-in-law would go “grab his wallet from the car.”
My sister-in-law would suddenly take an “urgent call.”
And someone else would be left covering a massive bill.
When my husband and I had to travel overseas, my mother-in-law invited my mom to her birthday dinner. I knew exactly what they were planning.
I warned my mom.
She just smiled and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
That night, they ordered lobster, steak, champagne—the works. Then, right on cue, they performed their disappearing act.
But this time, they left the wrong woman at the table.
Instead of panicking, my mom ordered dessert.
Then she asked for the manager.
And calmly called the police.
When officers arrived, my in-laws were outside in the parking lot—laughing—until they saw the flashing lights.
They were escorted back inside in front of a packed restaurant.
The humiliation was instant.
My mother-in-law tried to call it a “misunderstanding.”
My mom simply said, “No. It’s theft.”
In the end, my father-in-law paid the entire bill—plus extra.
The next morning, my mother-in-law called me furious.
“Your mother embarrassed us!”
I replied, “No. She just refused to cover for you.”
They never pulled that trick again.
Sometimes all it takes is one person who isn’t afraid to say, “Not this time.”