Last weekend, my sister hosted a big family pool party. Everyone came—cousins, uncles, the whole crew. She has a beautiful in-ground pool, and the kids rushed to change into their swimsuits the moment we arrived.
I helped my daughter, Lily, get ready. She was practically bouncing with excitement. But as soon as she ran toward the pool, my sister suddenly stopped her and said, “Lily, you can’t swim here!”
At first, I thought she was joking. All the other kids—even toddlers—were already in the water. I laughed and said, “Very funny,” but she shook her head seriously and said, “No. She’s not allowed.”
Lily burst into tears watching her cousins splash around. My husband was furious, and we left immediately, without saying goodbye. Later, at my parents’ house, I pulled my sister aside in the kitchen and demanded to know what was going on.
She broke down and confessed, “The last time Lily was in my pool, something happened. And you were never supposed to find out.”
Shocked, I asked, “What do you mean something happened? We’ve never been here before!”
She replied, “Actually, you have. Last year, when you went away for the weekend and left Lily with Mom, she brought her here. I was watching all the kids in the pool, and Lily slipped under. I pulled her out in time, but she was terrified. I was horrified, too. Mom begged me not to tell you—she didn’t want to upset you. I agreed, because Lily seemed fine afterward… but I’ve had nightmares about it ever since. I just can’t risk it happening again. Not on my watch.”
I didn’t even know how to respond. Lily had never mentioned the accident—maybe she doesn’t even remember it.
But now I’m torn. I feel my sister should never have excluded Lily from the fun, and she absolutely should have told me about what happened that day.
I’ve paused communication with her since then. Honestly, I’m appalled and can’t bring myself to talk to her. Am I overreacting?
Source: brightside,em