My “health-conscious” sister Jessica told me I needed to start eating healthier and lose weight, so she threw out everything I had in my refrigerator. How on earth was she able to achieve that? I retaliated against her the very following day by telling her that she couldn’t just control how I live my life.
Hi to all of you! I’m Kylie, just your typical next-door girl. My sister Jessica visited us from out of state last week. Let me tell you a little bit about myself before I tell you what occurred.
I have an insatiable appetite and don’t limit my tastes. I’m sure that those of you who enjoy eating can identify.
I work a typical 9 to 5 job, am married to my wonderful spouse Karl, and am a little overweight. Who said being overweight is unhealthy?
This is when the actual issue started. Jessica considers herself to be an exercise enthusiast and health expert. She is constantly making remarks about how harmful things are and how little people understand about taking care of their bodies.
I feel no remorse when I indulge in my comfort foods and snacks in the meantime. Sometimes I decide to go get us a pizza or burger, and even my hubby goes with me.
But you can only imagine the anguish she caused me when my sister, who is an exercise enthusiast, stayed over. She did more than just make fun of my weight; she did something I never would have thought possible.
That evening, Jessica came, and we gave each other an embrace akin to the type you give someone you haven’t seen in a long time.
“So, Jess, how was your flight?” As we sat down in the living room, I asked, attempting to keep the conversation light.
“It was good… but I’m so damn tired,” she said. “Only a mixed berry smoothie can pump me up!” Then she entered my kitchen directly.
When Jessica opened the refrigerator, she saw that it was full with vibrant snacks and that the counter was covered in a variety of potato chips and cookie jars.
She was unable to resist her inner health guru. With a bag of chips in her hand, she said, “Kylie, what is all this GARBAGE?” “Wow, just take a peek at all those calories! It’s imperative that you start eating better, cleaner food.”
Knowing that this was only the beginning, I faked a grin.
“So, what kind of health tips do you have for me this time?” I questioned, attempting not to sound sarcastic.
To begin with, you could swap the chips out for some kale chips. They’re much healthier and just as crunchy,” Jessica said, casting a critical glance around my snack cupboard.
“Cheese with Kale? Truly, Jess? With a raised eyebrow, I answered. “I think I’ll stick with my Doritos, thanks.”
She shook her head and added, “You’ll thank me later.” “Your body will, at least.”
I smiled smugly and dismissed it. “We all have different lifestyles, right?” I enquired.
Jessica yelled back, “You have to pay attention to your weight.” It is detrimental to your health.
I took a cookie and laughed it off, but I was still a little irritated. “Jess, everyone of us leads a unique lifestyle. I enjoy comfort food, and I’m in good health. Take a look at me.
Yes, Kyl, I am observing you. I’m urging you to pay attention to what you put in your stomach for this reason. You have to quit eating garbage because you’re becoming heavier or you’ll burst like a balloon,” she jeered.
I merely nodded, figuring she would quit, not wanting to get into a fight. But boy, was I ever mistaken.
When I got home from work the next day, my refrigerator was completely empty. My leftovers, munchies, and groceries were all GONE. Rather, it was filled with her own bottled juices, berries, vitamins, chia seeds, and other purported “superfoods.”
“Jess, what happened to all my food?” I questioned, my voice quivering from amazement.
“That’s right! Outside, in the garbage bin, honey! Far better, don’t you think? “Now you have healthier options!” she said, pointing to my refrigerator while grinning broadly and holding a juice.
I had given my sister roughly $1000 worth of food to throw away. Is that really true? Who walks into someone’s house and discards food in such manner, even if it’s your sister’s?
Oh my, I was irritated by her boldness.
“Healthy choices? How can you throw out goods worth a thousand dollars, Jess!” I cried out, attempting to maintain a steady tone.
“Consider it an investment in your well-being,” was her unaffected response. “In the long run, you’ll save on medical bills.”
“A financial commitment? Without my permission? You can’t simply stroll in and make decisions that are best for me,” I shot back, shaking with rage.
“Kylie, sweetheart, I’m simply attempting to assist. You’ll see, it’s for your own good,” Jessica remarked, sipping her drink and maintaining an irritatingly calm expression.
I was enraged. However, I chose to control myself and plan my retaliation against my sister—who believes she can get away with making all of my life decisions—instead of blowing out even more.
Soy milk got me through the night. Is that really true? Thursday nights meant burgers in front of the television.
Thanks to my sister, I could now only think about the juicy burgers and wish I had one in my hands instead of her tasteless alternatives. She would start lecturing me again, so I couldn’t even order takeout.
I was sitting on my bed late at night, surrounded by soft pillows, and I was determined to give my sister a lasting lesson about not meddling in other people’s life decisions.
I lay there, gazing at the ceiling, with ideas of retaliation whirling through my head. “Why does she always have to be such a control freak?” I murmured something to myself.
“Kylie, this is possible.” Increasingly determined, I added, “You need to show her that she can’t just come into your home and change your life.”
I eventually gave up from tiredness and went to sleep, dreaming of hamburgers and the delicious taste of winning.
The following morning, when I awoke early, I was fortunate to find that Jessica had left the house, most likely for a morning jog. I therefore set out on a brief expedition.
I probably spent much more money packing up all her priceless health goods from the kitchen worktops and refrigerator than what she tossed out.
I threw these food bags in the trunk of my car and headed to a nearby church that provides meals for the needy.
The volunteers were overjoyed. “I really appreciate it! As I gave the bags to the volunteer, she expressed gratitude, saying, ‘This will benefit many people.”
“Happy to assist,” I grinned in response.
Knowing that my sister’s expensive superfoods will benefit a worthy cause made me feel so good.
I then ran to a store, grinning triumphantly as though I’d reached the summit of Mount Everest. The next thing I know, all of my priceless, cherished food were packed into my car’s trunk.
I had a mixture of suspense and happiness as I made my way back home. “How about we see how you feel when your belongings are disposed of?” I thought to myself, a cunning smile forming over my face.
Jessica wasn’t home yet when I returned home. I put a lock on the refrigerator as soon as I had finished putting my goodies inside.
You did really hear correctly. a lock. It’s a padlock, not just any lock!
Taking the day off, I sat on the couch fiddling with my phone when I noticed Jessica enter, breathless from her morning exercise, and wiping the perspiration from her face.
She went straight to the refrigerator to grab her priceless mixed berry smoothie as I laughed and waited for the fun to start.
I was so excited that I had trouble controlling myself as she walked over to the fridge. I said, “This is going to be epic!”
Jessica’s expression of bewilderment was comical as she grabbed for the refrigerator handle. She mumbled, pulling on the latch, “What the…?”
“Oh, this is so much fun!” As I watched her struggle, I said to myself.
Jessica yelled, “WHAT THE HELL??,” from the kitchen in a matter of seconds. Why is the refrigerator locked?”
She was yanking at the shut refrigerator door as I entered the kitchen, a sly smirk on my face. I wanted to burst out laughing, but I pushed myself to hold back.
“Oh, honey, I gave the church your food. Thought it could be beneficial there. What about the lock? That should stop any future unapproved clean-ups, then.” I crossed my arms and spoke gently.
I could almost imagine Jessica’s nose emitting odors. She was furious.
“What did you do? You had no right to handle my belongings!” she cried, her face flushing.
It’s funny, I was going to tell you the exact same thing. You tossed out my goods, worth a thousand dollars, without asking,” I shot back, relishing the shocked expression on her face.
“Kylie, that is entirely different! I was assisting you,” she argued.
“Aid? by discarding my food? Jess, that is not helpful. That is blatantly disrespectful,” I retorted.
Jessica was furious. She would whistle like a kettle, I vowed. Furious and swearing to herself, she stormed about the house. However, she was unable to take action.
She told me she didn’t want to spend another minute in this house with someone as horrible as me as she packed her things a few days later. Absurd? Me? Really?
On her way out, she even called me a few expletives, but I didn’t mind.
“Jess, you have to realize that you are not in charge of everyone’s life. “You went too far,” I said, observing her hurry off to the taxi.
“Kylie, you’ll regret doing this. “Take note of what I just said,” she spit out, picking up her bag and rushing to the car door.
I said, “I doubt it,” and as she shut the door behind her, I had an odd mix of relief and melancholy.
I informed Karl what had transpired over the phone to him while he was away on business a week after Jessica departed. We laughed a lot together, and moreover? My kitchen was back to normal, with comfort foods and snacks carefully put away.
My cherished treats were safely stored in the fridge, secured by a lock, in case my younger sister wanted to come back and visit.
I’m not sure if Jessica would ever move past this and return, but one thing is for sure—I won’t allow anybody, not even my sister, to dictate to me what kind of lifestyle to lead or to interfere with my rights.
You know, sometimes the only thing you can do is put out fire with fire. Or with a padlock in this instance! Please feel free to share if you have ever experienced being instructed not to eat something you love and being evaluated based on what you eat.