Dear Cousin, Take My Parents

After Uncle Frank and Aunt Gina died, my older cousin, Izzy Kramer, moved in with my family.

To make up for the fact that she has lost her parents, everything she has is hers and hers alone. I'm not allowed to even think about touching them.

Summer comes along, and my parents get Izzy a brand new bathtub. I happen to glance at it for just a second longer, and Izzy immediately breaks into tears.

"If you want all of these things, Melanie, go ahead and take them! I just want my parents back!"

Mom and Dad are furious, and Mom storms over to slap me.