My Pregnant Sister Said, “Give Me All Your Baby Stuff,” Then Called Me Selfish When I Refused
Chapter 2
Her Pregnancy Became Another Excuse To Make My No Selfish
Mom called Saturday morning saying she was “not trying to interfere,” then immediately told me Brittany was scared, pregnant, and needed compassion. I reminded her I had offered to buy something and help find affordable supplies. “You offered thrift stores,” Mom said with open disappointment. “You bought Owen nice things.”
“Some of Owen’s things were used.”
“That’s not the point.”
I asked what the point actually was. Mom answered, “Family helps the person who needs it most.” When I said a future baby would need those supplies too, she dismissed that child as hypothetical. Then she accused me of being “very good at protecting your little household.” The phrase told me everything. Ryan, Owen, and I were a separate household whenever our needs were inconvenient, but when Brittany wanted something, our belongings became family resources.
The next day Brittany appeared without warning. Travis stayed in their car while she came to my door. “I came for the clothes.” I stared at her. “We discussed this.” Brittany answered, “Mom said you’d probably calm down.” She knew I had six storage bins because Mom had seen them while helping with Owen’s closet. Brittany asked for newborn clothes, the swing, and the bassinet. I said no to each. Her eyes filled. “Do you hear yourself? Your baby cannot even use those things.”
“I know. We intend to reuse them.”
“You’re choosing boxes over my baby.”
“I’m choosing not to replace hundreds of dollars in things we already own.”
She left furious, warning me to remember this when I needed something someday.
That evening Mom called again, and Ryan took the phone. “Diane, Ashley said no.” Mom argued that we could afford replacements. Ryan answered, “That is irrelevant. If everyone is so concerned Brittany has nothing, everyone can contribute instead of assigning Ashley’s belongings.” Mom hung up.
Monday morning Aunt Carol created a family group text: Brittany needs baby supplies. Let’s all pull together. For one hopeful second I thought Ryan’s suggestion had worked.
Then Mom replied: Ashley has almost everything Brittany needs, but unfortunately she’s saving it for a baby she may never have.
Brittany reacted with a heart.
I put my phone facedown instead of defending myself.
An hour later Aunt Carol called privately. She had three bags of baby-boy clothes from her grandson and a portable crib she had planned to donate. Relief washed through me. I texted Brittany immediately and offered to pick everything up.
Three hours later she replied: What brands?
Then: Are they stained?
Finally: Travis doesn’t want used stuff from random people.
I stared at the screen.
She had asked me for Owen’s used clothes.
That was when the contradiction became impossible to ignore.
Brittany did not simply need baby supplies.
She wanted mine.
