I feel like such a messed-up person right now. It’s super late, like 2 am, and I can't sleep because I keep replaying this thing in my head, over and over. I run my dad’s business, it’s just a small shop, nothing fancy, but it takes up SO much of my time. And my dad, he’s getting really old, like his memory is starting to go, and I manage all his money stuff too. The bills, making sure he has enough for groceries, sometimes I even pay for his meds ‘cause he forgets.
The thing is, none of my brothers or sisters ever offer to help. Ever. They just… don’t. They live kinda far, but not *that* far, you know? They’ll call sometimes and be like, "How’s Dad?" and I’ll say, "He’s fine, just getting a little forgetful with the bills," and they’ll be like, "Oh, that’s too bad," and then change the subject. Or they’ll just say, "You’re so good with numbers, you got it." And I’m just supposed to handle everything. Always.
So last week, I was looking at dad's bank account, and it was getting really low. Like, way lower than it should be. And I remembered I’d already paid his electric bill from my own account because his card got declined last month. And I needed to get him his special eye drops, which are EXPENSIVE. And I just saw this big chunk of money in his savings account that he never touches, never ever. And I just… took it.
Not all of it! Just enough to cover the electric bill I paid and the eye drops. It wasn't even that much, like $300 total. But it was HIS money. And I just moved it to my account. And now I feel SICK about it. Like, what kind of person does that? I’m supposed to be looking out for him, not… taking his money. Even if it was to pay for his stuff, it still feels wrong. Like I stole it.
I keep thinking about it. My stomach hurts. What if he finds out? What if one of my siblings decides to actually look at his bank statements for once and sees it? I’d be in SO much trouble. They’d think I’m some kind of monster. And maybe I am. I just got so stressed, and felt so alone, and it was just sitting there. I should have just asked them for help, but I never do. I just handle it. But this feels different. This feels… shameful. I just want to rewind time and not do it.
Share this thought
Does this resonate with you?