Do you believe they are the worst guests you’ve ever had? Of all of them, my brother-in-law was the finest. We let him and his wife remain at our house for their honeymoon, but then they took over our home and even our bedroom. But in the end, karma caught up with them.
My husband, Marcus, and I are lucky to live in a small paradise called Seabreeze Point. Picture this: a lovely stretch of beach just a short walk from our front porch, hiking trails that weave through pine-scented hills, and little cafés on the cliffs where you can have a coffee as dolphins jump in the water below. People plan and save all year to go there for a week.
Of course, a lot of people use our guest room. Marcus’s old college roommates, friends, and family all turn up with a suitcase, wide-eyed, and ready to head to the beach.
And to be honest? We love it. It feels like I’m telling someone a secret to share this place. Three months ago, when Marcus’s younger brother Trevor called me and his voice rattled the speaker, I didn’t think twice.
He smiled and said, “Lena, you’re going to love this.” “Paige and I are finally getting married next month! We were interested… Can we stay at your property for our honeymoon? “Money is tight because of the wedding.”
I looked at Marcus across the table. He was already nodding, and the same warm smile that made me fall in love with him more than ten years ago filled up his face.
“Of course!” I responded. “We’d love to.” How long are we talking about?
“Only a week.” We promise that we will be the easiest guests you have ever had.
Famous last words.
Marcus’s phone buzzed at dinner two weeks before they were supposed to arrive. He stared at the television and made a face.
He swiped to read the message and said, “Trevor sent it.” His face went from neutral to a mix of wrath and disbelief.
“What is it?” I inquired.
Marcus read aloud, “Hey man, is there any chance Paige and I could use your room while we’re there?” You know that an air mattress in the guest room doesn’t exactly scream “honeymoon,” right?
We just sat there for a moment. There are two bedrooms in our house: ours and my small home office, which also serves as a guest room. We bought a high-end air mattress that feels like a real bed and comes with extra pillows and blankets.
But our bedroom was a safe haven for us. We slept there after long days, talked to each other in the dark, and kept our most private things there.
“What do you think?” Marcus asked, but the way he said it made me think he already knew what I was going to respond.
I said, “I can’t do it.” “That’s our area.” I don’t want anyone else to sleep in our bed or look through our things. No, it’s just not.
Marcus answered, “Me too.” “I’ll let him know.”
He said, “Sorry, but we can’t do that.” You can still use the guest room, though. It’s nice. I can’t wait for you to get here!
It just took a few minutes for the answer to come: Really? It’s our wedding night. A week. Whatever.
Marcus put his phone down on the counter. “That went well.”
They were intended to get there on a busy day. That afternoon, our daughter Tessa was having her eighth birthday party. I was busy getting ready by slicing vegetables, threading fruit skewers, icing cupcakes, making spaghetti, and setting up the dining room. Marcus was cleaning the guest room when I heard the car doors slam.
“Here they are!” I made a phone call.
I thought that when I opened the door, people would hug me and say hello. Trevor and Paige, on the other hand, walked right by me without saying a word, pulling their baggage down the corridor.
I inquired, “How was the ride from Ridge Valley?”
“Long,” Paige said with no passion. “Where’s the bathroom?”
I heard the door to our bedroom open, and I knew what it was. My stomach felt constricted.
I did discover them in our room, just like I thought I would. Trevor was taking things out of boxes on our bed, and Paige was looking at her makeup in the mirror on my dresser.
“Hey, everyone? Your room is really across the hall.
Trevor didn’t even look up. “Yes, we talked about this. Paige gets sick in cars, and this room has more air flow. “We’re just going to stay here.”
“But we already told you—”
“It’s our honeymoon, Paige,” Lena replied. For a week. You’ve owned this room for a long time. You should be able to find a place to sleep for a few nights.
It seemed like a hit. “This is our room.” The guest room we gave you is very nice.
Trevor finally turned to me, his jaw stiff. “We’re not going to sleep on an air mattress for our wedding night.” That’s all there is.
I spotted Marcus in the garage working on Caleb’s bike, where he was tightening a bolt.
I said, “They’re in our room.”
He swiftly lifted his head. “What do you mean in our room?”
“They’ve taken everything out of the box.” Paige’s makeup is all over the bathroom counter.
In a couple of seconds, Marcus’s face went from shock to anger to disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I wish I were.”
When he tried to walk to the door, I grabbed his arm. “Wait a second—Tessa’s friends will be here soon. Let’s just go through the party first.
That was my second mistake.
When the kids got there, six eight-year-olds were laughing and ready to party. I hurried into the kitchen to get drinks. What I found startled me.
Trevor and Paige were devouring the party food like it was their own. There were chicken tenders all over the plates, veggie sticks that had been half-eaten and left on napkins, and frosting all over my counter.
Trevor said, “These are a little dry,” while he ate a cupcake. “Put it all in a box?”
I said, “They were for Tessa’s birthday.”
Paige put another piece of chicken in her mouth. “Kids will eat anything.” They won’t care.
I turned to look at the dining room. Tessa and her friends were standing there with their eyes wide open, waiting for the dinner I had promised them.
I yelled, “Marcus!” “We’re going to the store right now.”
The only sound on the drive was the kids’ queries.
“Mom, why did Uncle Trevor eat all the food we had for the party?” Caleb wanted to know.
“Are we still going to have my party?” Tessa’s voice shook.
“Yes, honey.” I promised, “We’ll make it even better.”
We spent close to $200 on new goods. It was worth it to watch the kids grin when we arrived back, but my jaw practically hit the ground when we pulled up.
Trevor and Paige were sitting on the porch with their bags at their feet. Their faces were flushed with rage. Gordon and Helen, Marcus’s mom and dad, were standing in front of them with their arms crossed.
Helen’s voice was so sharp that it might have cut glass: “You will not treat your brother and his wife this way in their home.”
“Mom, you don’t—” Trevor said.
Gordon yelled, “I understand perfectly.” “Tessa called us. “Do you know what she said?” She said that Uncle Trevor was mean to Mommy and stole all of her birthday food.
My chest hurt. My daughter called her grandparents because she thought her uncle was hurting me.
Paige moved on. “We’re family.” On our honeymoon, we should be able to sleep in the master bedroom.
Helen snapped back, “Family doesn’t take over someone’s room without asking.” Family doesn’t ruin a child’s birthday food and call it names.
“We asked nicely!” Trevor said no.
Gordon said, “And you were told no.” “Accept the answer like an adult.”
Helen looked at me and spoke more softly. “Tessa was crying on the phone.” “We were in town for a baby shower, but we came right away when we heard her like that.”
I looked at my child. “Did you call Grandma?”
She nodded with big eyes. “I didn’t want you to be sadder.”
Tears were streaming down my face.
Gordon said to Trevor and Paige, “You two are going to a hotel.” “Tonight.” And you are paying for it.
“That’s not right!” Trevor made a point.
Helen said in a stern voice, “What’s not fair is taking advantage of people who let you stay with them.”
They left in less than an hour, without expressing apologies, only mumbling about “ungrateful family.”
Helen hugged me tightly as their taxi sped off. “I’m sorry, my dear. I taught him better.
I said, “It’s not your fault,” and my voice broke.
That night, when Tessa fell asleep with the stuffed dolphin her grandparents had given her, Marcus and I sat on the balcony and watched the sun set, making the sea look gold.
I whispered softly, “I can’t stop thinking about what she said.” “She called your parents because she thought Trevor was being mean to me.”
Marcus said, “She was looking out for you.” We should have put our safety first from the start.
The next morning, Helen sent a text that stated, “The flowers are on their way.” I don’t think Trevor and Paige will say they’re sorry, but they should.
A flower with a note that said, “For the best daughter-in-law and grandchildren in the world,” appeared an hour later. Mom and Dad Love You. They also gave them enough money to buy the extra food.
Trevor and Paige never said they were sorry. They’ve been telling everyone who will listen that we “ruined their honeymoon.” But I learnt that being family doesn’t give you the right to take up someone else’s space. Don’t take limits lightly. People who can’t respect your limits shouldn’t be able to come into your home or bother you.
If you’ve been in a situation like this before, trust yourself. Stay safe within your bounds. You’re not being unfair. You’re taking care of yourself.
