My Aunt Planned a Trip to Celebrate My Grandma’s Retirement – But in the End, They Made Her Pay for the Whole Trip

ght of her face. Especially that wide, gentle smile that always made the world feel safe again.

I walked to the front desk, smiling. “Hi!

My grandmother, Margaret, is staying here with my family. Could you tell me which room she’s in?”

The receptionist looked at her screen, then at me. Her polite smile faltered.

She hesitated, eyes flicking toward the seating area.

And that’s when I saw her.

Grandma stood near a tall palm, small under the high ceilings. Her light cardigan was buttoned wrong, while her purse was slipping from her shoulder. In her trembling hands, she clutched a stack of papers and crumpled receipts.

“Grandma?” I called softly.

She turned slowly.

Her eyes widened, then filled with tears.

“Oh, Sophie,” she whispered. “You’re here.”

I hurried over and wrapped my arms around her. “Of course I’m here!

What’s going on? Where’s Aunt Linda?”

She tried to smile, but her lips trembled. “They’re gone,” she whispered.

“Gone?

What do you mean, gone?”

Her hands shook as she passed me the papers. “They checked out this morning. The man said I had to pay for everything.”

I blinked.

“Pay for what? The room?”

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