she said. “Everyone can afford a few hundred a month.” She knew we couldn’t. I called the appliance store and arranged for a return right in front of her. Denise turned red with rage, but I didn’t back down. The purchase was in her name. I hadn’t signed anything. If she wanted to play games,
she’d play them alone. The fridge was picked up that same day. Denise stormed out and hasn’t visited since. Word of what happened spread quickly through her social circles. For once, she couldn’t spin the story in her favor. I didn’t seek revenge—I just said “no” and meant it. And that was the day she finally learned who she was dealing with.