My Son and His Wife Dropped off My Grandkids on New Year’s Eve Without Warning – It Was the Last Time They Ever Did

When Linda’s son dropped off her grandkids on New Year’s Eve without warning, it wasn’t the first time he’d assumed she was free to babysit. But after a night of missed plans and unanswered calls, Linda decided it would be the last.

It was New Year’s Eve, and I couldn’t stop smiling. I smoothed my hands over my new burgundy dress, admiring how it looked in the mirror.

A woman in a dress at home | Source: Midjourney

A woman in a dress at home | Source: Midjourney

I’d been saving it for something special, and tonight was the perfect occasion. My hair was styled in soft waves, and the makeup I’d had done earlier gave me just the right amount of confidence.

“This is going to be a night to remember,” I said out loud, grinning at my reflection.

A happy woman smoothing her hair | Source: Midjourney

A happy woman smoothing her hair | Source: Midjourney

The evening felt so important. My high school classmates had planned a reunion dinner for the first time in years. At 60, time with old friends, laughing, reminiscing, and just being together felt precious.

I’d been counting down the days. Everything was planned: leave the house by seven, get to the restaurant by eight, and spend the night surrounded by people I cared about.

A smiling woman sitting at the table | Source: Midjourney

A smiling woman sitting at the table | Source: Midjourney

I was finishing up my lipstick when my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen and saw Jake’s name.

“Hey, Mom!” His voice was cheerful, as usual.

“Hi, Jake,” I said, still smiling. “What’s going on?”

“Listen, we’re driving over now. We’re dropping Jenni and Lily off for a few hours. Just till midnight!”

A smiling man talking on his phone while driving | Source: Midjourney

A smiling man talking on his phone while driving | Source: Midjourney

I froze. “What? Jake, I have plans tonight. I’m going to the reunion—”

“It’s only for a little while, Mom. We’ll be back before you know it!”

“Jake, wait, I—”

But he hung up before I could finish. I stared at my phone, my chest tightening.

A concerned woman looking at her phone | Source: Midjourney

A concerned woman looking at her phone | Source: Midjourney

“This can’t be happening,” I muttered, glancing at the clock. It was already 6:30 p.m.

A few minutes later, I heard the crunch of tires in the driveway. I rushed to the door, hoping to reason with him.

“Hi, Mom!” Jake called out, stepping out of the car with Jenni in tow. Amanda followed behind, carrying Lily, who clutched her favorite stuffed animal.

A woman carrying her daughter | Source: Midjourney

A woman carrying her daughter | Source: Midjourney

“Jake, I can’t do this tonight,” I said firmly. “I’m supposed to be at the restaurant by seven.”

“Don’t worry,” Jake said, waving his hand like it was no big deal. “We’ll be back before midnight, I swear.”

“You don’t understand,” I insisted, my voice rising. “This isn’t fair. I have plans—”

A woman in a dress talking to her son | Source: Midjourney

A woman in a dress talking to her son | Source: Midjourney

“We left snacks in their bags, and they’re already in their pajamas,” Amanda cut in, smiling like she was doing me a favor. “They’ll be no trouble at all. Thanks, Linda!”

“But—” I started again, but Jake hopped back in the car.

“Love you, Mom!” he called as the car sped off.

I stood there, stunned. Jenni and Lily looked up at me with bright smiles.

Two happy sisters | Source: Pexels

Two happy sisters | Source: Pexels

“Grandma, can we watch cartoons?” Jenni asked, tugging on my hand.

I forced a smile, though my stomach was in knots. “Sure, sweetheart. Come inside.”

I settled them on the couch and handed them the remote. As they giggled over their favorite show, my phone buzzed again. It was a message from Cathy.

“The place looks amazing! Can’t wait to see you. Sending pics soon!”

A woman texting on her phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman texting on her phone | Source: Midjourney

My heart sank. A few moments later, the group chat started filling with photos—everyone was there, beaming, glasses raised in toasts, tables sparkling with candles and decorations. They all looked so happy.

I sat down at the kitchen table, staring at my phone. The excitement I’d felt earlier was gone, replaced by disappointment and anger.

“How could they do this to me?” I whispered, feeling tears prick the corners of my eyes.

A sad woman sitting at the table | Source: Midjourney

A sad woman sitting at the table | Source: Midjourney

At 11 p.m., I tucked the kids into bed. They fell asleep easily, but I couldn’t relax. I tried calling Jake, but it went straight to voicemail. Amanda’s phone? Same thing.

Out of habit, I opened Instagram, and there it was—a story from Amanda. A video of her and Jake at some fancy party, clinking glasses with friends, laughing, and having the time of their lives. The caption read: “Ringing in the New Year with the best crew!”

People having fun at a party | Source: Pexels

People having fun at a party | Source: Pexels

My jaw tightened as I set my phone down. Midnight came and went. I sat alone in the dimly lit living room, scrolling through more messages and photos from my classmates, trying to focus on their happiness instead of my own frustration.

By the time I heard the crunch of tires in the driveway, it was 3 a.m. I sat up straight on the couch, my heart pounding not from relief, but from anger.

An angry woman in a burgundy dress | Source: Midjourney

An angry woman in a burgundy dress | Source: Midjourney

Jenni and Lily were still asleep, tucked under the blanket I’d laid over them hours ago. The sight of their peaceful faces momentarily softened me, but the frustration bubbling inside wouldn’t go away.

I stood, smoothing my hands down the dress I’d been so excited to wear earlier that evening. Now, it was wrinkled and felt more like a reminder of the reunion I’d missed.

An angry woman opening her door | Source: Midjourney

An angry woman opening her door | Source: Midjourney

The front door opened, and Jake and Amanda strolled in, laughing softly. Amanda had her heels dangling from one hand, her makeup smudged from the long night. Jake’s shirt was untucked, his hair disheveled, but his grin was as carefree as ever.

“Hey, Mom!” Jake called cheerfully, as if they hadn’t left me stranded all night.

“Hi, Grandma!” Amanda added, waving like nothing was wrong.

A happy couple | Source: Midjourney

A happy couple | Source: Midjourney

I folded my arms and stared at them. “Do you have any idea what time it is?” My voice was calm, but my anger simmered just below the surface.

Jake shrugged, unbothered. “Yeah, sorry about that. Our friends wouldn’t let us leave. You know how it is.”

“No, Jake,” I said, my tone turning cold. “I don’t know how it is. I don’t know what it’s like to abandon my responsibilities and assume someone else will pick up the slack.”

An angry woman talking to her son | Source: Midjourney

An angry woman talking to her son | Source: Midjourney

Amanda sighed loudly, shifting her weight to one foot. “Linda, it was just one night. Can we not make this into a thing?”

“Oh, it’s a thing,” I said sharply. “A big thing. You dropped your kids off with no warning, ruined my plans, didn’t answer your phones, and then show up at three in the morning like it’s nothing. Do you even understand how disrespectful that is?”

An annoyed man | Source: Midjourney

An annoyed man | Source: Midjourney

Jake hesitated, like he wanted to argue, but I didn’t give him the chance. I stepped aside and watched as he walked over to pick up Jenni, who stirred slightly but didn’t wake. Amanda grabbed Lily, holding her close as she gave me a tight-lipped smile.

“Thanks, Mom,” Jake said sheepishly, shifting Jenni’s weight in his arms.

A man holding his smiling daughter | Source: Midjourney

A man holding his smiling daughter | Source: Midjourney

I didn’t respond. I just opened the door and watched as they carried the kids to the car. When the taillights disappeared down the street, I locked the door behind them, leaning against it for support.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but the anger didn’t subside. Instead, it settled into something firmer—resolve.

“This is the last time,” I whispered to myself.

A tired elderly woman | Source: Midjourney

A tired elderly woman | Source: Midjourney

The next morning, I drove to their place and sat them down at the kitchen table. Jake and Amanda were visibly tired, probably from their late night, but I didn’t care.

“We need to talk,” I began, my tone steady. “What you did last night was unacceptable. I missed my reunion, my plans, everything I’d looked forward to for weeks. You two need to reimburse me for my dress, my salon visit, and the money I prepaid for the dinner.”

A serious woman sitting in her kitchen | Source: Midjourney

A serious woman sitting in her kitchen | Source: Midjourney

“Are you serious?” Jake asked, his eyes wide. “Mom, that’s petty.”

“I’m dead serious,” I replied. “This isn’t just about the money. It’s about respect for my time and my life.”

They eventually agreed to pay me back, though they grumbled about it the whole time. I set another boundary, clear and firm: no more last-minute drop-offs. They needed to ask first, or I wouldn’t be available.

An annoyed couple | Source: Midjourney

An annoyed couple | Source: Midjourney

They pushed back, but I didn’t budge. By the end of the conversation, I felt empowered, determined to reclaim my time and dignity. They didn’t like it, but they reluctantly agreed.

A week after New Year’s Eve, the doorbell rang unexpectedly. I peered through the window and saw Jake and Amanda, the kids in tow. My stomach clenched. Not again.

A couple with their kids on the porch | Source: Midjourney

A couple with their kids on the porch | Source: Midjourney

I grabbed my phone and hesitated for a moment, guilt tugging at me. But then I remembered the reunion, the photos I’d missed, and the way they’d brushed off my feelings.

I answered the call through the intercom. “Hi, Jake. I’m not home right now.”

There was silence before he responded. “What? Mom, we’re here with the kids.”

“I told you last week, Jake,” I said firmly. “You need to call ahead. I have plans.”

A woman in a green dress talking on her phone | Source: Pexels

A woman in a green dress talking on her phone | Source: Pexels

“But we’re already here!” Amanda chimed in, her voice tinged with annoyance.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t help you this time,” I replied. My heart raced as I hung up, leaning against the wall to steady myself. I heard muffled voices outside, followed by the sound of their car pulling away.

For the rest of the day, guilt gnawed at me, but so did a sense of relief. I had stood my ground.

A woman meditating in her bedroom | Source: Pexels

A woman meditating in her bedroom | Source: Pexels

In the weeks that followed, something changed. Jake began calling before visits, and when they needed help, they asked instead of assuming. I even noticed Amanda being more polite during our conversations.

These small changes made a big difference. With clear boundaries, our relationship felt lighter, more respectful. I no longer dreaded surprise drop-offs, and I felt proud for reclaiming my time.

A confident woman at home | Source: Pexels

A confident woman at home | Source: Pexels

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

50 Iconic and Rare Historical Photographs

We at HistoryColored have decided to curate 50 interesting, rare and iconic photos from history. There are many reasons why a photograph may be featured on this list. Some of the reasons include: it was the first time something was ever captured on camera, it shows a famous figure from history, the image depicts an important historical event, it is a “rare” photo that does not get shared as much as it should, or it is an “iconic” historical photo. It may not fall under any of these categories but can still be featured in this list for a different reason.

These photographs are in no particular order. They have been curated and added to the list over a long period of time, so no decision was taken on how they should be ordered. Be sure to take the time to check out every historical photograph featured on this list!

As well as this list, be sure to check out the other photos featured on HistoryColored!

1. The First Photograph Ever Taken, 1826 or 1827

The first photograph in history, the view from a window at Le Gras in 1826 or 1827.
The oldest surviving photograph to exist. It was taken by pioneer photographer, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. The scene depicts a view from a window in Nicéphore Niépce’s estate known as Le Gras in Saint-Loup-de-Varennes, Bourgogne, France in 1826 or 1827. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

2. General William Tecumseh Sherman, circa 1865

Side profile photograph of General William Tecumseh Sherman in his Union Army military uniform in c. 1865
Side profile of Union Army Major General, and the Commanding General of the US Army, William Tecumseh Sherman, in his Union Army military uniform in circa 1865. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

3. Dali Atomicus, 1948

Salvador Dali suspended in mid air along with other objects within the iconic photograph Dali Atomicus taken in 1948
The photographic artwork by Philippe Halsman called “Dali Atomicus” showing three cats water, an easel, a chair, and Salvador Dalí all frozen in mid-air, 1948. This was the 28th attempt at taking this photograph. Credit: Library of Congress // Public Domain

4. The Solvay Conference on Quantum Mechanics, 1927

Key attendees of the 1927 Solvay conference photographed sitting down and in suits. The names are Auguste Piccard, Émile Henriot, Paul Ehrenfest, Édouard Herzen, Théophile de Donder, Erwin Schrödinger, Jules-Émile Verschaffelt, Wolfgang Pauli, Werner Heisenberg, Ralph Howard Fowler, Léon Brillouin,
Peter Debye, Martin Knudsen, William Lawrence Bragg, Hendrik Anthony Kramers, Paul Dirac, Arthur Compton, Louis de Broglie, Max Born, Niels Bohr,
Irving Langmuir, Max Planck, Marie Skłodowska Curie, Hendrik Lorentz, Albert Einstein, Paul Langevin, Charles Eugène Guye, Charles Thomson Rees Wilson, Owen Willans Richardson
The 1927 Solvay Conference on Quantum Mechanics at the Institut International de Physique Solvay in Brussels, Belgium. This image features many of the greatest scientists in modern history. Some of those that you may recognize are: Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Max Planck, Niels Bohr, and Auguste Piccard. See the full list of names here. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

5. King George V & Tsar Nicholas II Together, 1913

Nicholas II of Russia photographed alongside similar looking and cousin King George V of the United Kingdom, while wearing military uniform.
First cousins and royals Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (left) & King George V of the United Kingdom (right) photographed together wearing military uniforms in Berlin, Germany, 1913. Credit: Library of Congress // Public Domain

6. The Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, 1909

Photographs of the Manhattan Bridge under construction. You can see the layout of the bridge but there is still a lot to build. March 23 1909.
The construction of the Manhattan Bridge on the East River in New York City. This photograph was taken on March 23, 1909. The bridge finished construction in 1909 and first opened up on the 31st of December 1909. Credit: Library of Congress // Public Domain

7. Soviet Prisoner of War, 1940

An injured Prisoner of War from the Soviet Union with a bandage around his bloody head, with clothing wrapped around his body. He looks cold as he is near the Arctic Circle where temperatures can get to -43 degrees Celsius
An injured Soviet Prisoner of War (POW) dressed in new clothes near the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Finland, during the Winter War on the 6th of January 1940. Credit: Military Museum of Finland // CC BY 4.0

8. Dr. Wernher von Braun with 5 F-1 Engines

Aerospace engineer Wernher von Braun standing next to five F-1 rocket engines in 1969.
Dr. Wernher von Braun, an aerospace engineer that was a leading figure in Nazi German rocket technology, and then United States rocket technology, photographed standing in front of five F-1 rocket engines in circa 1969. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domains

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