The afternoon sun streamed through my kitchen window as I watched little Jake carefully trace a rainbow in chalk on our patio. His little sister Cindy was giggling beside him, her hands already stained purple.

“Aunt Kayla, look!” Cindy squealed, pointing proudly at a crude, lopsided castle.

I knelt beside her. “That’s beautiful! Is that where the princess lives?”

Her face turned serious. “No. That’s where the dragons live.”

I smiled, letting the warmth of these simple moments settle into me. Behind us, my husband Finn was chatting with his parents while his sister Nina scrolled on her phone, her default setting whenever she stayed with us. She and the kids camped at our house every weekend. The kids were sweet. Nina… not so much.

The peace shattered when Nina piped up, “Okay, everyone. Time to get ready for dinner! Let’s go!”

I glanced at my watch. “It’s only 5:15. The early bird specials don’t kick in until six.”

“So?” Nina shrugged without even looking up. “We can eat at regular prices.”

My stomach tightened. I’d planned for this dinner, budgeted for it. Regular prices meant double the cost — nearly $200 for the whole group instead of the $75 I’d planned with my coupon.

“Why don’t we wait 45 minutes? I’ve got a great coupon — we’ll save a hundred bucks.”

Nina’s face darkened. “I don’t want to wait. The kids are getting cranky.”

I glanced at Jake and Cindy. Still playing. Still happy.

“They seem fine.”

“They’re NOT,” Nina snapped, gathering them up. “Come on kids, inside. Get cleaned up.”

I tried one last time. “It’s just 45 minutes, Nina.”

She spun toward me, voice sharp. “If you can’t afford to take us out without a coupon, maybe you shouldn’t have offered.”

The words landed like a slap. Finn and I had offered this dinner. Out of kindness.

“It’s not about affording it. It’s called being smart.”

But she was already inside, corralling the kids. Moments later, they emerged clutching their stomachs, groaning theatrically.

“Aunt Kayla, I’m soooo hungry!” Jake moaned.