They Forgot To Invite Me So I Booked The Penthouse Instead
My mom’s text came through at exactly noon on a Tuesday. Typical. “Hey honey, we’re heading to the Cape for the big family reunion! Since you’re so busy with your little freelance thing… can you house-sit and watch the dogs? You’re a total lifesaver!”
I stared at the screen for a full minute. For ten years, I was the lifesaver. The one who stayed behind while my sister, Sarah, and my parents posted “Perfect Family” selfies from Italy, Aspen, or Maui. I was always the “extra” person who didn’t quite fit in the rental car… or the hotel suite.
I typed back one word. “Okay.”
But what they didn’t know… was that my “little freelance thing” had just been acquired by a tech giant for seven figures. I had more money in my checking account than my dad had made in a decade.
While they were packing their station wagon for a three-hour drive to a dusty beach house, I was booking an Uber Black… to J-F-K.
Two days later, the family group chat was popping off. Sarah posted a photo of them eating lukewarm lobster rolls with the caption, “Nothing beats family time!”
I didn’t say a word. I just posted my own photo.
I was standing on a private balcony in Santorini… holding a glass of vintage champagne, wearing a dress that cost more than their entire rental. The caption? “Finally found a trip where there was plenty of room.”
My phone started vibrating so hard it nearly fell off the marble table. My mom called four times in ten minutes. Then… came the text from Sarah.
”Maya? How can you afford that? You’re being so selfish… Mom is literally crying because you didn’t tell us you were traveling. We could have all gone together if you’d just chipped in!”
Unbelievable. Then, my mentor… a billionaire C-E-O… commented on my post. “So glad you could make it to the Founders’ Circle Gala, Maya. You earned it.”
The group chat went dead silent.
Finally, my dad texted. “We didn’t realize you were doing so well, honey. Maybe we can fly out and join you for the weekend?”
I took a long, slow sip of my drink, looked at the sunset, and typed my final reply.
”Sorry, Dad… the villa only sleeps one. You understand, right?”
Then… I hit “Leave Group” and finally enjoyed the silence.
