When my cousin crashed our rental car and left me with a $5,000 bill, I spent months trying to get my money back. Just when I gave up, I saw her bragging about her “success” on social media and discovered I wasn’t the only one she owed. Karma caught up with her, and I got a front row seat!
It’s been a year since that disastrous West Coast vacation, and I’m still feeling the sting of that $5,000 debt. My cousin Debra, who’s supposed to be an accountant, racked up a huge charge for damages to our rental car and then had the nerve to act like it wasn’t her problem.
A carefree woman | Source: Pexels
It was in my name, so guess who had to foot the bill? That’s right, me. Lisa, the ever-reliable project manager from Boston. I swear, some days I think my middle name should be “Doormat.”
I remember that party like it was yesterday. Seven cousins decided to get together to “strengthen family ties” on the West Coast.
Debra was there, of course, with her charismatic charm and daredevil attitude. One night, she decided it would be a fantastic idea to drive the rental car along a narrow, winding coastal road at night.
A car driving at night on a winding coastal road | Source: Midjourney
The air was cool and the moonlight cast eerie shadows as she sped down the road, ignoring my pleas for her to slow down.
“Come on, Lisa, live a little!” Debra laughed, her voice full of reckless glee.
He turned up the music and took another swig from his bottle. I gripped the seat, my knuckles white.
“Debra, please, you’re going too fast,” I screamed, my heart pounding.
A scared woman in a car | Source: Midjourney
She laughed even harder and took a turn too fast. My heart stopped as the car skidded toward the edge, tires screeching.
I thought we were all going to die that night, but the guardrail saved us. When we crashed into it, the impact was shocking, leaving us all stunned and the car destroyed.
The festive atmosphere? Completely ruined.
When the rental company charged $5,000 for the car’s damage, Debra shrugged.
“We’re a family,” he said with a casual wave of his hand. “We should all pull together.”
A woman with her hands up | Source: Midjourney
The other cousins murmured vague agreements.
“Maybe we could split it evenly,” suggested Jimmy, the group’s peacemaker.
“Split it? Are you kidding me? I wasn’t even in the car,” Martha retorted, crossing her arms.
“I can’t afford it right now,” Jake muttered, avoiding eye contact.
“Guys, it’s not fair that Lisa is left with the bill,” Emily said, trying to be reasonable.
In the end, they all conveniently disappeared when it was time to hand over the money. I was left holding the rope. Typical.
Angry woman about to pay a bill | Source: Midjourney
I’ve been trying to get my money back for eight months now. Every time I called her, she had a new excuse.
“I’m going through a tough time, Lisa. You know how it is,” he told me, his voice shaking with feigned sorrow.
“Debra, it’s been months. I need that money,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
“I’m still waiting for my extra pay. Give me a little more time,” she replied, her tone laden with false sincerity.
A woman on a phone call | Source: Pexels
Every call ended the same way, I was more frustrated and she was left with more empty promises. It’s incredible how someone with a well-paid job can always be so broke.
The financial pressure began to weigh on me. I found myself cutting back on small luxuries, skipping out on trips with friends, and even dipping into my savings to cover unexpected expenses.
My stress levels skyrocketed and affected my work. I would get angry with my colleagues over minor issues and had trouble concentrating on projects. My boss noticed, too.
A woman looking dejectedly at her laptop | Source: Pexels
“Lisa, your performance has been dropping lately. Is everything okay?” she asked me one afternoon.
“I’m sorry, I’m dealing with some personal financial issues,” I replied, embarrassed.
“Try to fix it. We need you at your best,” he said, his tone firm but understanding.
The pressure was immense, and all because of Debra’s irresponsibility.
A stressed woman at work | Source: Pexels
I tried to let it go. I really did. But last weekend, I was scrolling through social media, minding my own business, when I saw it: a photo of Debra showing off a ridiculously expensive new necklace.
The caption read: “Hard work pays off! #Blessed #LivingMyBestLife.” My blood boiled. I was about to comment something scathing when I realized I wasn’t the only one who was upset.
“Debra, where’s the $300 you owe me?” one comment read.
An expensive necklace | Source: Pexels
Another person replied: “Still waiting for the $200 from two years ago. Must be nice to ‘live your best life’ on borrowed money.”
I couldn’t believe it. Apparently, Debra’s financial irresponsibility wasn’t just my problem. She had a whole trail of unpaid debts and angry people.
I felt a strange mix of vindication and anger. Vindication, because she wasn’t just hurting me, and anger, because I had let her get away with it for so long.
A woman scrolling on her phone | Source: Pexels
So I poured myself a glass of wine and watched the comments pile up. For the next two hours, I had a front-row seat to her boastful post as it turned into a disaster.
The next day, I got a call from Debra. Her voice was unusually shaky. “Lisa, I’m in big trouble,” she sobbed. “My creditors have banded together and sent a lawyer to demand their money back. I don’t know what to do.”
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady.
A woman on a phone call | Source: Pexels
“Oh, really? Where do I sign to get my $5,000 back?” I asked, my tone measured but firm.
There was a brief silence before she replied: “Lisa, please, I don’t know what to do! I can’t handle this. I’m being threatened with legal action.”
“Debra, you’ve been irresponsible for far too long,” I said, my frustrations boiling over. “It’s not just about being bad with money. You have a blatant disregard for your debts and the impact they have on others.”
A woman having a tense phone conversation | Source: Midjourney
“I know, I know!” she cried, her voice breaking. “I didn’t want it to be this bad. I thought I could control everything, but it’s gotten out of hand.”
“You have to come up with a plan, Debra,” I insisted. “You have to start paying people. This isn’t going to go away just like that.”
“What? I don’t have that much money lying around,” he lamented.
“And your shiny new necklace?” I suggested, trying to remain calm.
A stern woman | Source: Pexels
“You can sell it and use the money to pay off your debts,” I continued. “It’s a start.”
There was a long pause. “I’ll sell my car,” he said at last, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll give it back to you. I promise.”
A week later, Debra showed up at my apartment. She looked different, defeated. The shine of the necklace she had posted on social media was gone, replaced by a stern, vacant look. She handed me an envelope without a word.
An envelope | Source: Pexels
“Thanks,” I said, taking the envelope and opening it to count the money. It was all there. “I hope this will teach you a lesson, Debra.”
She nodded, tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Lisa. I really am.”
I felt a mixture of relief and pity. Relief because I had finally gotten my money back, and pity because Debra was really distressed.
“Debra, you have to understand the impact of your actions on others. It’s not just about money; it’s about trust and responsibility.”
A woman reprimanding another | Source: Midjourney
She nodded again, wiping away her tears. “I know. I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll be more responsible from now on.”
After she left, I sat down and reflected on the whole situation. I realized that karma and collective action had been more effective than my attempts at resolution. Debra’s fall was a stark reminder of the importance of responsibility.
I was hoping it would change, but only time would tell.
A thoughtful woman | Source: Pexels
For me, this experience deepened my understanding of fairness and justice. I had always believed in giving people the benefit of the doubt, but this test taught me the importance of standing up for myself and not letting others take advantage of my reliability.
In the weeks that followed, I noticed a change in Debra. She sold her car and downsized her lifestyle, focusing on paying off her debts.
It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but it was a start. I hoped he would continue down this path and learn to be more responsible.
A woman holding a glass | Source: Pexels
As for me, I felt a renewed sense of strength and determination. I was no longer willing to be a doormat. It was a hard lesson, but one I would carry with me for the rest of my life.
In the end, I realized that sometimes people need to face the consequences of their actions in order to truly change.
So, for anyone dealing with a “Debra” in their life, remember to stand your ground and hold them accountable. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. And who knows? Maybe your “Debra” will learn a lesson, too.
Click here to read how a woman reaches her breaking point when her boyfriend buys a boat instead of contributing to the bills. Already neck-deep in debt and facing a pay cut, she plans a surprise that will change everything.
This work is inspired by real people and events, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to real people, living or dead, or real events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher do not guarantee the accuracy of events or the depiction of characters, and are not responsible for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and the opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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