You’d think family would use you last, right? I thought so, too—until my cousin Talia started treating me like her personal maid. Everything changed when my dad devised a cunning scheme to set things right.
Everyone has that one annoying cousin, and for me, that’s definitely Talia. I’m Brynn, 25, fresh out of graduate school, trying to find my footing in the world. I work part-time at a local bookshop to pay the bills while searching for a more permanent job. My life is simple—filled with books, coffee, and the occasional stroll with friends. I’m content in my little bubble.
But in our large family, everyone is always in everyone else's business, and Talia is at the center of it all. Despite being married to Declan and having a two-and-a-half-year-old son, Jett, her intensity remains exhausting. They live in a modest basement apartment beneath her parents' house. It’s small but cozy, or at least it should be.
Every family gathering at their place leaves me feeling out of place. I’ve always been more of a listener, content to observe the chaos of family dynamics from a distance.
So, I wasn’t surprised when Talia called me one afternoon, her voice tinged with anxiety. “Brynn, I need a big favor. Can you watch Jett for me? Something came up, and I have to leave right now!”
I glanced at the clock—nothing was planned for the afternoon. “Sure, Talia. I’ll be there in ten,” I said, trying to sound cheerful.
Why not? I thought. Jett is adorable, and it would be a nice break from my routine.
When I arrived, I barely had time to knock before the door swung open. Talia and Declan rushed past me, practically tripping over one another in their haste.
“Brynn, thank you so much!” Talia shouted as they darted out.
Declan waved, “We owe you one!” And just like that, they were gone.
Jett, however, greeted me with a bright smile and a warm hug. “Hi, buddy!” I grinned, lifting him up. Talia and Declan’s quick departure didn’t bother me; I was too focused on Jett’s infectious laughter and the way his eyes lit up when he saw me.
But then, he tugged at my sleeve, his little voice whispering, “Hungry, Bibi.”
“Okay, let’s see what we can find!” I replied, trying to keep the mood light as I followed him to the kitchen.
What I found stopped me in my tracks. It looked like a tornado had struck. Dirty dishes piled high in the sink, old food crusted on plates, trash overflowing from the bin—it was a disaster. My heart sank.
“What happened here?” I mumbled, mostly to myself. Jett pointed at the fridge, confusion etched on his face.
“Okay, Jett, let’s, uh, find something to eat,” I said, trying to sound optimistic. I knew I couldn’t cook in this mess, so I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.
I washed pots, rinsed dishes, wiped down countertops, and cleared away the debris until I could see the surface again.
“Wow, they weren’t kidding about needing help,” I muttered. Jett giggled, thinking I was joking, but I began to wonder what I had signed up for.
The following weekend, Talia called again. “Can Brynn come over? Just for a couple of hours?”
I hesitated but eventually agreed, thinking maybe it would get better. When I arrived, it was like stepping into a time loop—the mess had somehow worsened. Dishes were piled even higher, trash was spilling over, and sticky food remnants clung to the stove.
I groaned internally as I cleaned enough to whip up something for Jett. They must be struggling, I thought. Maybe things will improve soon. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.
Talia called me every week after that, and each time I arrived to find utter chaos. She would leave with a quick “Thank you!” and vanish, leaving me to clean up the aftermath.
One Saturday, I walked in to find the sink overflowing with dishes and the fridge sealed shut with grime. It took nearly two hours to clear a space to cook Jett something simple. My frustration boiled over as I scrubbed away.
I finally realized that I was acting as their personal cleaner, not just babysitting. When I got home that night, I was fuming. My dad noticed immediately. “Rough day?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as I dropped my bag and flopped onto the couch.
I inhaled deeply. “Dad, you wouldn’t believe it. Talia keeps asking me to watch Jett, but the place is always a disaster. I spend more time cleaning than actually taking care of him! It feels like she’s using me for free labor!”
Dad listened, nodding slowly. “How long has this been going on?”
“Months!” I threw my hands up in frustration. “I didn’t want to leave Jett in that mess, but I’m exhausted.”
“Why haven’t you told her to clean up before you arrive?” he asked, frowning.
“I don’t know… I didn’t want to seem mean,” I admitted. “Talia’s always talking about how stressed she is, and I didn’t want to add to it.”
Dad crossed his arms and leaned back, deep in thought. “Brynn, you’re there to help Jett, not clean. You shouldn’t feel bad for wanting them to take care of their own mess.”
I nodded, realizing I had been too accommodating. Then I noticed the glint of mischief in Dad’s eyes. “What’s the plan?” I asked, intrigued.
He leaned closer, his expression turning conspiratorial. “Next time Talia asks you to babysit, agree. When it’s time to make dinner, I’ll call her mother-in-law and say there’s an emergency that requires you to leave.”
I blinked, trying to process his idea. “And you want me to leave her kitchen like that?”
He grinned wider. “Not exactly. I’ll have her mother-in-law bring a pot and some plates without explaining why. Let’s see how Talia manages the situation on her own.”
My anger faded as I laughed, finding the plan amusing. “You’re cunning, Dad. But will it really work?”
Dad shrugged. “We won’t know until we try. Sometimes people need a little nudge to see things from a different perspective.”
The following Saturday, Talia called again, frantic as ever. “Brynn, can you watch Jett? It’s last minute, but—”
“Sure, no problem,” I said, attempting to sound casual even though my heart raced. I arrived at her house, played with Jett, and kept an eye on the clock, waiting for Dad’s cue.
Finally, Dad texted me: “Time to go.”
I took a deep breath and faced Jett. “Hey, buddy, I need to leave, okay?”
He looked up at me with wide eyes. “You goin’, Bibi?”
“Just for a little while,” I reassured him, guilt gnawing at me. I texted Talia that I had to leave due to an emergency, then gathered my things. Just as I stepped outside, Talia’s mother-in-law, Maris, pulled up with a large pot and plates, looking puzzled.
“Brynn? What’s going on?” she asked, confusion written all over her face. “Talia didn’t mention needing a meal.”
I tried to suppress a giggle as I smiled politely. “I’m sorry, Maris, but I really have to go. Thanks for stopping by!” I dashed away before she could ask any more questions.
I could already picture Maris walking into the chaos, trying to make sense of it all while Talia scrambled to explain the mess. I hurried home, eagerly awaiting the fallout.
Within ten minutes, my phone buzzed with frantic texts from Talia.
“What happened, Brynn? Why didn’t you clean?” one read.
Another came in quickly. “Mom is angry. What should I do?”
I let her stew for a while, enjoying the moment. Dad gave me a thumbs-up as I set my phone down. “Mission accomplished.”
He chuckled. “I bet she’s panicking now.”
I delayed responding to Talia’s messages, thinking she needed to experience the consequences of her actions. Finally, my phone rang. I answered, trying to sound innocent. “Hi, Talia! Everything okay?”
She sounded shaky, a mix of panic and frustration. “Brynn, why did you leave like that? Why didn’t you clean the kitchen?”
I took a deep breath, speaking calmly yet firmly. “I’m not your cleaning service, Talia. It’s the same mess every time I come over. I’m here to babysit, not clean your house. I left because I thought you should handle it.”
Her silence was followed by a heavy sigh. “I didn’t realize how bad it was… I just felt overwhelmed and may have taken you for granted. I’m really sorry, Brynn.”
Hearing her genuine regret softened my heart. “I understand, Talia. But you need to realize this isn’t fair to me. I love Jett, but I can’t keep cleaning up after you.”
Talia’s tone became serious. “You’re right. I won’t let it happen again. I promise.”
We continued talking, and she apologized again, sounding truly remorseful. I forgave her but made it clear: “If you need help in the future, the place needs to be clean before I come over. Otherwise, you’ll need to find someone else to watch Jett.”
She nodded vigorously on the other end. “Yes, Brynn. I promise I’ll clean everything.”
After hanging up, I smiled at Dad. “I think that worked.”
He returned my smile, a twinkle in his eye. “Sometimes people just need a little push to see the light.”
You know what? It worked. The next time Talia asked me to babysit, their apartment was practically spotless. No dirty dishes, no overflowing trash—she even prepared dinner beforehand.
Things have improved significantly since that day. Talia now manages her time better and respects mine. And Jett? He’s still a sweet boy, but he plays in a cleaner, happier environment when I’m around.
My dad’s plan was brilliant. Talia learned that family isn’t free labor, and sometimes the best way to teach a lesson is to let someone face the consequences of their actions.
And in the end, I learned that standing up for myself didn’t just benefit me—it also helped Talia grow in ways I never expected.