I was really looking forward to a chill movie night with my little sister, Beverly. She’s eight and loves Disney movies—especially Frozen. I was home from college for the holidays, and I just wanted one quiet night of laughing, cuddling under a blanket, and being sisters.
We curled up on the couch, and Beverly clutched her favorite pink blanket. As “Let It Go” started playing, she belted out every word, smiling like it was the best day ever.
I laughed. “Still your favorite movie?”
“Always!” she grinned, her big brown eyes sparkling.
Watching her sing made my heart feel full. Moments like this were rare ever since our mom passed away two years ago. Everything changed after that. Dad remarried a woman named Sophia. She’s… polite. But cold. Definitely not warm like Mom.
After Mom died, I left for college, and Beverly stayed behind. I still feel guilty about that. I wish I could be here for her more.
While Elsa was building her ice palace, I turned to Beverly and asked, “So, did you have a good Christmas?”
She nodded. “Daddy got me a doll, and Sophia gave me pencils.”
“Pencils?” I raised an eyebrow. “What about Grandma, Grandpa, or Aunt Liz? Didn’t they give you anything?”
Her smile faded. “They gave me money,” she whispered.
“That’s awesome!” I said. “What are you gonna buy?”
She looked nervous, twisting the corner of her blanket. “I don’t have it anymore.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, my stomach tightening.
“Sophia took it,” Beverly mumbled. “She said I had too many presents already and needed to help pay for Christmas dinner.”
I stared at her. “Wait… she took all of it?”
She nodded sadly. “Three hundred dollars. She said I wouldn’t spend it right.”
I was shocked. “Who gave it to you?”
“Grandma gave me a hundred, Grandpa gave me a hundred, and Aunt Liz gave me a hundred. We counted it at Grandma’s house before we came home.”
“And then Sophia took it?” I asked, my voice sharp.
“She said she’d hold it for me,” Beverly said, looking down. “But I never got it back.”
I felt my blood boil. A grown woman stealing from a child? That was low—really low. I took a deep breath and hugged my sister tight.
“Don’t worry, Bev,” I said softly. “I’m going to make this right. Promise.”
The next morning, I texted Dad.
Me: “Hey, can we do a family dinner before I head back to school?”
Dad: “Sure thing :)”
Perfect. Sophia had no idea what was coming.
The night of the dinner, everything looked so cheerful. There were candles on the table, Christmas lights still twinkling, and everyone seemed happy. Dad and the grandparents were laughing about something, Beverly was munching on cookies, and Sophia was bragging about her holiday shopping.
I tapped my glass. Clink clink.
“Hey, everyone! Before dessert, I just wanted to say something.”
The room quieted. Beverly looked at me, confused. Sophia froze mid-sip of her wine.
“You all know how much Beverly loves her scooter, right?” I said, smiling at her. “Well, she’s been dreaming about getting a bike. And thanks to Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Liz, she got three hundred dollars for Christmas to help buy one.”
I paused. “But… Beverly doesn’t have that money anymore.”
Everyone looked confused.
“What do you mean?” Dad asked, frowning.
“She told me Sophia took it,” I said calmly, but clearly.
Sophia let out a fake laugh. “Oh, Joan, she misunderstood. I—”
“No,” I interrupted. “She said you told her she had too many presents and that you used the money for groceries.”
Sophia’s face turned bright red. “I only borrowed it! Hosting Christmas dinner isn’t cheap, and I did everything myself. I deserve a little treat.”
“Borrowed?” I shot back. “Beverly saw your shopping bags from the mall. Was that groceries too?”
Sophia’s mouth opened but no words came out. Then Dad spoke, his voice suddenly icy.
“Is that true, Sophia? Did you take her Christmas money?”
Sophia looked cornered. “I was going to give it back! She’s a child—she doesn’t know how to spend money right!”
Grandma’s voice cut through like a blade. “That money wasn’t yours. You stole it from a little girl.”
Dad looked furious. “You’re going to return every cent. Tonight. And let me be clear—if anything like this ever happens again, there will be serious consequences.”
Sophia opened her mouth, but one look from Dad shut her up fast.
That night, I gave Beverly a little envelope. “Here you go, champ. Three hundred dollars—back where it belongs. Tomorrow, we’re going bike shopping!”
Her eyes lit up like Christmas lights.
The next day, we went to the store and picked out the coolest bike ever—bright pink, streamers on the handlebars, a shiny little bell, and a basket for her stuffed animals. With the leftover money, she grabbed a doll and a watercolor art kit.
On the way home, she asked, “Do you think Sophia’s mad?”
I laughed. “Probably. But the important thing is… she knows not to mess with you again.”
Back home, Beverly rode up and down the driveway, her laughter echoing like a victory song. I stood there smiling, proud. Justice had been served.
And Beverly? She looked like the happiest kid in the world.
What would you have done if you were in my shoes? Let me know in the comments!
