The Heirloom They Shattered

At the family dinner, my six-year-old nephew Dylan Abbott was rolling around on the floor, refusing to eat.

My sister-in-law Carol didn't lift a finger to stop him. She just beamed at him.

"Be good, Dylan, finish your food, and Auntie will take you to buy a smartwatch tomorrow!"

For the sake of family peace, that time I'd swallowed my disgust and picked up the tab.

But this dinner, Carol pulled the same trick.

"Dylan, drink up this soup, and tomorrow your auntie's going to buy you a big gold pendant! Solid gold!"

I set my chopsticks down right there.