The Family I Outgrew

After finishing work for the day, I checked my phone and realized I had been added to a group chat called "Catch the Thief."

The members were my parents, my brother, Brian Wise, and my sister-in-law, Paulene Wise.

I typed a question mark.

Paulene replied instantly.

[My jewelry is missing. I didn't add you here to accuse you or anything. I just wanted to ask what you think. Honestly, there's no use for other people in our family to take my jewelry, so I've been wondering... I'm not saying you definitely stole it. But if you did, you don't have to deny it. I'm willing to give you a chance to make things right.]

My mother said nothing. She just kept tagging me over and over.

I let out a small laugh and typed back.

[Maybe Brian took it and gave it to his side piece. I'm not saying he definitely has someone else. Just that men his age sometimes start looking around. I'm only guessing here. And if he really did mess up, you could give him a chance to make things right, too.]

The group chat finally went quiet.

My mother called almost immediately. She sounded so worried that she was close to crying.

"Nala, saying something like that could ruin Brian! You shouldn't accuse him of something he didn't do."

"Oh? So we shouldn't accuse people of things they didn't do? Then why were you silent when Paulene implied I was a thief? Ruining me is fine, but ruining Brian isn't?"

She sniffed softly before answering, "It's just family in that chat. Nothing went outside…"

I laughed. "Neither did my text. Just say what you really want."

Her voice grew smaller. "It's nothing… It's just… Could you take the blame for the jewelry?"

I dug at my ear, thinking I had misheard.

She kept talking.

"Brian and Paulene just decided to try for a baby. If something like this happens now, I'm afraid Paulene might change her mind. Just admit it. We won't tell anyone else. Don't worry. I'll pay Paulene back for you."

I was so angry that I wanted to reach through the phone and shake her.

"I guess I should thank you. That's very thoughtful. And where do you think your money came from in the first place? Maybe we should just call the police."

"No police!"

She reacted instantly.

"Paulene's jewelry has never left the house. This has to be an inside job. You can't call the police on your family. Do you want this whole family to fall apart?"

Wow.

That was a heavy accusation to throw at me.

"Fine. No police. Then tell me who the thief is."

There were barely a handful of people in that house. It wasn't that hard to narrow down.

She sighed. "Don't ask. I won't tell you. It's for the good of the family. Just tell me whether you'll take responsibility."

"No."

I hung up without hesitation.

The next morning, my sister-in-law, Paulene Wise, showed up at my office.

She was bare-faced, a stiff expression on her face as she stood at my desk, looking like I owed her 100 grand.

"Something you need?" I asked.

"Would I come here for no reason?"

"Then what's the reason?"

She let out a cold laugh. "You really want me to say it in front of your coworkers and bosses? After doing something this shameless?"

Human nature loves gossip. The moment she said that, heads started turning from every direction.

I knew if she didn't say it openly, I would become office rumor number one anyway. So I smiled the same way she did.

"Go ahead. I'd love to hear how shameless I supposedly am."

Her chest rose and fell with anger.

Suddenly, she slapped me across the face.

"You stole my jewelry and sold it off, and you still act innocent? Fine. Today I'll teach you some manners on behalf of your parents!"