My Stepmom Gifted Me a Funerary Urn for My 17th Birthday

As Lila was ready to celebrate her 17th birthday, she received an unexpected and creepy gift from her stepmother: a pink funerary urn. Like the type you keep ashes in? Yes, that’s the one. But that’s not all! Lila learns that her college fund was given to Monica to open her salon. What will Lila do?

Let me tell you, I’ve been sitting on this one for a few days, just trying to make sense of what went down.

I always thought my stepmom, Monica, was the worst, though not Disney villain evil. She was the kind of person who talks over you, forgets your birthday, and calls you “kiddo” when you’re practically an adult.

A smiling teenage girl | Source: Midjourney

A smiling teenage girl | Source: Midjourney

But, what she pulled on my 17th birthday? It shattered whatever shaky truce we had.

At least, that’s what I thought. Turns out, things weren’t exactly what they seemed.

Here’s how it all went down.

My mom, Sarah, died when I was ten, and after that, it was just Dad and me. We were a solid team. The type of team that has pizza for dinner half the week, late-night movies, and this unspoken agreement that we’d always have each other’s backs.

Two boxes of pizza on a coffee table | Source: Midjourney

Two boxes of pizza on a coffee table | Source: Midjourney

Then came Monica, about three years ago.

At first, she wasn’t horrible; she was just… there. Like a stray cat that never leaves, so you have no choice but to adopt it. Monica moved into our house, took over the bathroom with her fifty bottles of face serums and creams, and slowly pushed her way into my dad’s world.

Monica had big dreams of opening a hair salon, which was fine. I wasn’t against people having dreams. I had my own dreams waiting for me, but she treated me like I was just this annoying piece of furniture that came with the house.

A woman's vanity | Source: Midjourney

A woman’s vanity | Source: Midjourney

Honestly, I was counting down the days until I could escape to college.

Dad had promised me since middle school that there was a college fund waiting for me.

“Don’t worry, sweet girl,” he told me. “Your mom and I put together the fund when you were five. There’s more than enough, and every year on your birthday and Christmas, I add more.”

A smiling little girl | Source: Midjourney

A smiling little girl | Source: Midjourney

“Thank you, Dad,” I said. “I just want to study and make something of myself, like Mom said.”

“You only have to worry about your grades, Lila,” he said. “I’ll handle the rest.”

Naturally, I worked my butt off in school, knowing that in a few years, I’d be out of here.

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

College was my golden ticket, and no one — not even Monica — would stand in my way.

At least, that’s what I thought.

On the morning of my 17th birthday, I came downstairs expecting the usual lukewarm effort. By lukewarm, I mean a sad card, some pancakes, and Monica forgetting my favorite syrup. Dad was at work, so it was just Mon and I.

A plate of pancakes and a card on a table | Source: Midjourney

A plate of pancakes and a card on a table | Source: Midjourney

She handed me a gift bag, which was already weird because Monica wasn’t exactly the thoughtful or sentimental type.

“Happy Birthday, kiddo,” she said, flashing one of her tight-lipped smiles.

I wasn’t expecting much, but I sure as hell wasn’t expecting this.

I reached inside the bag and pulled out… an urn.

A shocked teenage girl | Source: Midjourney

A shocked teenage girl | Source: Midjourney

A funerary urn.

You know, the kind that people store ashes in. Cold, heavy, and, well, pink. It was pink.

I just stared at it, my brain short-circuiting.

“What the hell is this?” I asked, holding the urn like it was cursed.

A pink funerary urn | Source: Midjourney

A pink funerary urn | Source: Midjourney

Monica leaned against the kitchen counter, smug as ever.

“It’s symbolic,” she said as if that explained anything.

“Symbolic of what?”

Monica’s grin widened.

A smiling woman in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney

A smiling woman in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney

“It’s time to bury your dreams of college, kiddo. Your dad and I talked about this, and we decided to put the college fund to better use.”

“Better use?” I asked, a cold shiver running through me.

“Yep. We’re investing it in my hair salon. College is a gamble, Lila. A business? That’s something real, sweetie.”

A hair salon being renovated | Source: Midjourney

A hair salon being renovated | Source: Midjourney

She sipped her coffee like she’d just said the most reasonable thing in the world.

I was frozen in place, trying to make sense of what I’d just heard. Had they really taken my future, everything I’d worked for, and sunk it into Monica’s salon dream?

“How could you do this?” I whispered.

Monica just smiled, a little too pleased with herself.

A shocked teenage girl | Source: Midjourney

A shocked teenage girl | Source: Midjourney

“Life’s full of disappointments, kiddo. Better get used to it now,” she said.

Wow.

That was it. I was done. I ran upstairs, slamming the door behind me so hard that the walls shook.

I cried so hard it hurt. What else could I do? Everything I had been holding onto was gone, and the only person I thought I could count on, Dad, had let this happen.

An upset teenage girl | Source: Midjourney

An upset teenage girl | Source: Midjourney

My mom wanted me to get out and make something of myself. And now? It was all over.

The next few days were a blur. I didn’t speak to Monica or my dad unless I absolutely had to. Every time I looked at that stupid urn sitting on my desk, my stomach twisted.

I couldn’t even bring myself to throw it out. It felt like some kind of morbid evidence. Like proof of the betrayal I didn’t see coming.

A pink funerary urn on a desk | Source: Midjourney

A pink funerary urn on a desk | Source: Midjourney

At school, my friends tried to cheer me up.

“Maybe she thought it was funny, Lila,” my friend Kira said. “Like, who really knows what Monica is thinking?”

“And anyway, there’s nothing stopping you from throwing it out! Just do it! Don’t overthink it,” Mel said.

Three teenage girls | Source: Midjourney

Three teenage girls | Source: Midjourney

But still, I couldn’t focus on anything other than the fact that Monica was prancing around, acting like she was the queen of the house, while I sat there with no future.

Then, a few days later, something strange happened.

When I got home from school, there was a note on my desk. Not in an envelope, just folded, with my name written in Monica’s messy handwriting.

A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

Meet me at the salon at 6 P.M. tonight. No questions. Just trust me. -M.

I almost laughed out loud. Trust her? Yeah, right.

But something about the note gnawed at me. Maybe it was the fact that I wanted to confront her one last time, tell her exactly what I thought of her.

Against my better judgment, I decided to go.

A note on a table | Source: Midjourney

A note on a table | Source: Midjourney

When I got to the salon, the lights were off, and the front door was unlocked.

I hesitated for a second, wondering if this was some elaborate prank. But curiosity got the best of me.

I stepped inside, and there they were. Monica and my dad, standing side by side, both grinning widely.

“Surprise!” Monica shouted, throwing her arms up like this was the happiest moment of her life.

The entrance to a salon | Source: Midjourney

The entrance to a salon | Source: Midjourney

I just stared at them, completely lost.

“What is this?”

Monica stepped aside, and that’s when I saw it — a shiny, brand-new sign mounted on the wall.

Dream Cuts: A Scholarship Fund in Honor of Sarah

I blinked, feeling like the room was tilting on its axis.

A hair salon | Source: Midjourney

A hair salon | Source: Midjourney

“What… what is this?”

Monica smiled, but it wasn’t her usual smug grin. This one was softer, almost real.

“We didn’t use your college fund, kiddo. It’s all still there. The salon? It’s not just for me. It’s for you, too. For other kids like you, too.”

I couldn’t breathe.

A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney

A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney

“But then, why would you make me think otherwise?” I asked.

Monica winced, putting her hand on her head.

“Yeah, so, the urn thing… That was not my best idea. I thought it’d be motivational, like, bury the past and embrace the future. You know? But it turns out that it was just creepy.”

A woman with her hand on her head | Source: Midjourney

A woman with her hand on her head | Source: Midjourney

I stared at her, speechless.

My dad stepped forward, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

“We’ve been planning this for months, Lila,” he said. “Your mom always wanted to help kids get to college. This salon is going to fund scholarships. For you and for others in her name.”

“The salon has been my dream, Lila,” Monica said. “But it was never going to come at your expense. This way, a great portion of all our profits in the future will go to the fund.”

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

I didn’t know what to say.

Or what to think.

Just that I felt a warm haze take over me.

Monica laughed softly.

“I’m not a monster, darling,” she said. “I just didn’t want you to think that I was trying to take over your mom’s role.”

A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney

A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney

For the first time in a long time, I smiled.

It wasn’t perfect, but things with Monica probably never would be. But, at that moment, standing in the middle of a salon named for my mom’s dream, I realized that she wasn’t trying to ruin my life.

She was trying to build something bigger than any of us.

A smiling teenage girl | Source: Midjourney

A smiling teenage girl | Source: Midjourney

And somehow, against all odds, it felt like a new beginning.

And yeah, I kept the urn. But I planted white peace lilies in it, thinking it would be symbolic after all. And who knows, maybe I’ll take the urn to college.

What would you have done?

Peace lilies planted into a pink funerary urn | Source: Midjourney

Peace lilies planted into a pink funerary urn | Source: Midjourney

If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |

I Transferred $24K to My Daughter for Her College Tuition, Only to Discover She Never Enrolled — What She Spent It On Made Me Pale

Caroline had been saving for her daughter’s college fund since Angela was born. But after a classmate of Angela’s reveals that Angela is not actually enrolled in college, Caroline must uncover what her daughter is doing and what she used the money for.

Children are always going to break your heart. This was something that I learned the hard way after trusting my daughter, Angela, completely.

A close-up of a smiling girl | Source: Midjourney

A close-up of a smiling girl | Source: Midjourney

Since Angela was born, I have been saving for college. I needed to know that irrespective of what life threw my way, I would be able to educate my child.

“I think you can wait until she’s a little older,” my husband, Holden, said. “We can do it together.”

“You can add to her college fund later,” I said, looking at my baby girl. “But I’m going to start from next month. I wasn’t able to study, Holden. And it was because we didn’t have the opportunity to do so. Angela is going to get that opportunity.”

A smiling baby girl | Source: Midjourney

A smiling baby girl | Source: Midjourney

“Okay, Caroline,” my husband said. “You start it now, and I’ll add to it in a year. The house will be paid off, and I’ll be able to put that money into the fund.”

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

I Taught My Dad a Real Lesson after He Humiliated My Mom

When an 18-year-old college student, Brittany, feels the pangs of homesickness, a simple call to her little brother, Ian, reveals a family in turmoil. Overwhelmed by her mother’s silent struggle under her father’s constant criticism, Brittany decides it’s time for a lesson in gratitude and teamwork.

Feeling homesick is a funny thing; it sneaks up on you when you least expect it, wrapping its cold fingers around your heart and squeezing tight until you’re gasping for the warmth of home.

That’s exactly how I, Brittany, felt, being away at college for over three months. It was the longest I’d ever been away from home, and each day stretched on endlessly without the familiar chaos of my family’s presence.

A young girl using her smartphone | Source: Shutterstock

A young girl using her smartphone | Source: Shutterstock

One day, overcome by a wave of nostalgia, I picked up my phone and dialed Ian, my ten-year-old younger brother. He had always been the beacon of innocence and joy in our family, and just hearing his voice could make any bad day better.

“Hey, bug,” I greeted, using my childhood nickname for him. “I miss you a ton. How’s my favorite little man doing?”

Ian’s voice, a mix of excitement and surprise, came through the phone. “Britt! I miss you too! College is so far away. When are you coming back?”

We talked for what felt like hours. Ian’s endless questions about college life and my attempts to describe my mundane routine in the most exciting way possible filled the gap between us. Yet, despite the laughter and shared stories, a nagging feeling tugged at my heart when I finally steered the conversation toward home.

A smiling young boy | Source: Getty Images

A smiling young boy | Source: Getty Images

“So, how’s everything back there? Mom and Dad doing okay?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

There was a slight pause, a hesitation in Ian’s voice that I hadn’t expected. “It’s okay, I guess. I really wish you could come visit, though.”

His words, innocent as they were, sent alarm bells ringing in my head. Ian was never one to mince words, but something in his tone suggested there was more he wasn’t saying. That night, I lay awake, the conversation replaying in my mind, my homesickness now mixed with concern.

Determined to shake off the uneasy feeling, I managed to wrap up all my pending college projects ahead of time, packing my bags for an impromptu trip home. The thought of seeing my family again, of hugging my little brother and sharing a meal with my parents, filled me with a rush of excitement I hadn’t felt in weeks.

A rear view of a college student carrying a backpack back home | Source: Shutterstock

A rear view of a college student carrying a backpack back home | Source: Shutterstock

The trip back was a blur of anticipation and anxiety. What was Ian not telling me? Why did his voice carry a weight it never had before?

Stepping into the familiar chaos of my childhood home was both a relief and a shock. The house, with its walls echoing laughter and arguments, welcomed me back with open arms. Yet, it was during one of these typical family evenings that I overheard Dad’s sharp voice cutting through the usual din.

“…And why is dinner cold again, Megan? Can’t you do anything right?”

The words stopped me in my tracks, my heart sinking. I peeked into the kitchen to find Mom, her back to me, shoulders slumped as if carrying the weight of the world.

Angry husband standing in the background blaming his wife | Source: Getty Images

Angry husband standing in the background blaming his wife | Source: Getty Images

Ian caught my eye from where he sat at the kitchen table, his expression a mix of discomfort and resignation. It was a look I had never seen on his face before, and it chilled me to the bone.

Later, when I found Ian alone in his room, I closed the door behind me and sat beside him on the bed. “Hey, bug,” I began, my voice soft but firm. “What’s been going on with Dad and Mom? I heard him earlier…”

Ian shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping before meeting mine again. “Britt, it’s been… tough. Dad’s always on Mom about something. Like, if dinner’s a bit cold or if he finds a single speck of dust on the carpet. It’s like, no matter how much Mom does — cooking, cleaning, laundry — Dad finds something to complain about.”

A tired woman washing dishes in the kitchen | Source: Shutterstock

A tired woman washing dishes in the kitchen | Source: Shutterstock

Hearing Ian articulate it, the reality of the situation hit me hard. The idea of my vibrant, tireless mother being reduced to the target of such constant criticism was unbearable. Something clicked in me right then — a resolve to make things right, to show Dad the enormity of his actions.

So fueled by indignation, I hatched a plan. A plan that, I hoped, would make Dad see the error of his ways and bring some much-needed appreciation and balance back into our family dynamics.

The first part of my plan involved a dramatic, though deceitful, act. I waited until I knew Dad would be at home, took a deep breath to steady my nerves, and dialed his number.

A senior man talking on the phone | Source: Shutterstock

A senior man talking on the phone | Source: Shutterstock

“Hello?” Dad’s voice came through, a note of surprise in his tone.

“Dad, it’s me,” I began, my voice shaking to feign distress. “I’m at the ER. It’s… it’s bad. I need Mom here with me.”

The panic in his voice was immediate. “What? What happened? I’ll get your mom and we’ll be right there —”

“No, Dad, just send Mom. Please. I… I need her,” I cut in, hoping my act was convincing enough.

After a moment of hurried assurances and panicked questions, Dad agreed, and I hung up, my heart pounding not just from the lie but from what I had to do next.

A young woman sending a text message from her smartphone | Source: Shutterstock

A young woman sending a text message from her smartphone | Source: Shutterstock

I quickly composed a message to Mom, explaining my ruse. “Mom, don’t worry, I’m not in the ER. But Dad thinks I am, and he’s going to tell you to come. Don’t. I’ve booked you a ticket for a little vacation. You deserve a break. Let’s show Dad what you juggle every day.”

My fingers hovered over the send button before I pressed it, sealing our pact of deception and hope.

Mom’s response was a mix of concern and incredulity, but ultimately, she understood the desperation behind my actions. “Are you sure about this, Britt? What about you and Ian?”

“Trust me, Mom. It’s time Dad learned. Ian and I will be fine. Enjoy your break, you deserve it.”

A woman talking to her daughter while standing near the door | Source: Shutterstock

A woman talking to her daughter while standing near the door | Source: Shutterstock

The next day was a whirlwind. Dad’s calls came in, each more frantic than the last, begging Mom to return. Playing her part, Mom promised to come back “in the evening,” stoking Dad’s hope and desperation further.

But when evening came, it wasn’t Mom who walked through the door; it was me. Dad’s face went pale, a mix of confusion and relief battling within him as he took in my healthy appearance.

“Where’s your mother?” he asked, the strain evident in his voice.

“She’s taking a well-deserved break,” I stated firmly, stepping over a toy car in my path. “It’s just you and me for the next few days. And we need to talk, Dad.”

A person standing in a messy room | Source: Shutterstock

A person standing in a messy room | Source: Shutterstock

As I surveyed the chaos of the house — clothes stained with today’s adventures, toys scattered like landmines — I saw something I never thought I would: defeat. Dad sank into a chair, the image of a man overwhelmed by the world he had taken for granted.

“I didn’t realize how much work this was,” he admitted, his eyes taking in the disorder around him. “I can’t keep up with everything.”

“That’s the point, Dad,” I said, sitting down across from him. “Mom does this every day, without a single complaint. She’s the glue that holds us together, and she deserves far more than being criticized over a cold dinner or an unclean carpet.”

The days that followed were a revelation for Dad. Under my guidance, he began to see the intricacy and the effort behind the seamless running of our household. From laundry to cooking to managing Ian’s never-ending energy, Dad got a firsthand experience of Mom’s daily life.

A stressed aged man sitting on a sofa | Source: Shutterstock

A stressed aged man sitting on a sofa | Source: Shutterstock

When Mom finally returned, she found a home that, while not perfect, brimmed with appreciation and newfound respect. As she stepped through the door, her eyes taking in the slightly disordered but peaceful scene, Dad approached her, his demeanor one of humility and newfound understanding.

“Megan,” he began, his voice softer than I’d heard in a long time, “I can’t begin to express how much I’ve missed you, but more importantly, how much I’ve realized the weight of what you do for us every day.”

Mom paused, her expression guarded but curious. “Paul, what’s this all about?”

“These past few days have been… enlightening,” Dad admitted, taking her hands in his. “I never fully appreciated the endless tasks and challenges you face daily. You manage them with such grace and efficiency. I’m sorry for not seeing it before, for not helping more, and for every unwarranted criticism I ever made.”

A happy senior couple hugging | Source: Shutterstock

A happy senior couple hugging | Source: Shutterstock

Mom’s eyes softened, a hint of moisture gleaming as she squeezed his hands back. “Thank you, Paul. That means more to me than you know.”

Meanwhile, Ian and I shared a glance, a silent celebration of the success of our plan. Later, as the evening settled down, Ian and I found a moment alone.

“Britt,” Ian said, a grin spreading across his face, “we did it, didn’t we?”

“We sure did, bug,” I replied, ruffling his hair affectionately. “Thanks for being brave and honest. We make a pretty good team, you know.”

Ian’s smile widened, pride evident in his eyes. “Yeah, we do.”

A father hugging his daughter | Source: Shutterstock

A father hugging his daughter | Source: Shutterstock

Later, Dad pulled me aside, a seriousness in his gaze. “Britt, I owe you an apology — and a thank you. What you did… it was a tough lesson, but one I needed to learn. You’ve shown me the true meaning of family and teamwork.”

I hugged him, feeling the barriers of misunderstanding melt away. “It was a team effort, Dad. We all learned something valuable.”

As our family gathered that night, the atmosphere was different — lighter, warmer, more connected. We talked, we laughed, and for the first time in a long time, we truly listened to each other. The episode that had started as a desperate attempt to bring about change had blossomed into a beautiful lesson in respect, teamwork, and love.

Reflecting on everything, I realized that our family, like so many others, had its flaws and challenges. Yet, it was our willingness to confront those issues, to learn and grow from them, that truly defined us.

A happy mother hugging her two children outdoors | Source: Shutterstock

A happy mother hugging her two children outdoors | Source: Shutterstock

The chaotic days that had seemed so daunting at the beginning had indeed turned into an invaluable lesson in love and respect, one that would guide us forward, stronger and more united than ever.

Do you think I did the right thing?

If this story struck a chord with your heart, here’s another one for you:

Meredith’s typical weekend turned extraordinary when an unexpected discovery by her mother, Camilla, brought her world to a standstill.

With her life seemingly as snug and predictable as a well-worn sweater, Meredith, a 32-year-old mother and wife, believed she had a firm grip on her reality. Her husband, Dave, had always been her rock, their bond strengthening through each of life’s trials. However, life’s penchant for unpredictability was about to be laid bare.

A husband kissing his wife on the cheek | Source: Unsplash

A husband kissing his wife on the cheek | Source: Unsplash

As Meredith prepared for a rare moment of relaxation, an urgent call from her workplace shattered the calm, dragging her away on a weekend. Dave, caught in the throes of sleep after his night shift, remained unaware of the unfolding drama.

Meredith’s call to her mother, seeking help with the children, seemed innocuous enough — a simple request from a daughter to her ever-reliable mother. Little did she know, this act set in motion a series of events that would challenge the very essence of her marriage.

“Hello?” Meredith answered her phone, only to be met with her mother’s frantic urging, “You have to divorce him immediately!” The shock, palpable through the line, was compounded by Dave’s background protests and her mother’s adamant accusation.

An outraged elderly woman talking on the phone | Source: Shutterstock

An outraged elderly woman talking on the phone | Source: Shutterstock

“I found women’s underwear in his pocket — women’s underwear! He’s been lying to you all this time!” Camilla’s discovery and subsequent demand for immediate action left Meredith reeling, a torrent of emotions clashing within her.

As Meredith’s world teetered on the edge, the drive back home was fraught with turmoil. Her mind raced, grappling with the implications of her mother’s discovery and the fear of what awaited her. The tension that greeted her upon arrival was palpable, a silent testament to the upheaval that had taken root in her absence.

What followed was a confrontation laden with emotions, accusations, and desperate explanations. Yet, the specifics of this exchange, the revelations shared, and the decisions made in its aftermath remain shrouded in mystery.

A wife being mad at her husband in their living room | Source: Shutterstock

A wife being mad at her husband in their living room | Source: Shutterstock

What truths lay buried beneath the surface of Meredith and Dave’s marriage? Click here to find out what happened next.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

Related Posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*