Woman refuses to share family cookbook with half sister, says, 'I have my reasons.'
When this woman is annoyed with her half sister, she asks Reddit:
'AITA for refusing to share my family's cookbook with my half sister?'
My (F) mom's grandma started a cookbook before she had kids, my grandma inherited it off her when grandma started having kids and then my mom got it before she had me. My mom gave it to me when she was sick (I was 7 at the time) and died soon after.
She told me to be careful with it and that it was special to our family. A couple of years after she died I learned my dad had cheated on her with his wife and that my half sister was the product of the affair and born before my parents divorce was finalized.
I was too young to realize when it was all going on. After learning this I had a hard time being around my dad. I remember my mom being sad and it made sense why. I also learned that he had told my mom in a really cruel way.
How I found out is I eavesdropped on a fight between dad and my uncle and aunt (my mom's siblings) and heard it all, including how much my dad hated how 'boring' my mom was.
I remained distant from him, his wife and my half siblings ever since (I have two more half sisters and a half brother).
My dad decided to tell the oldest of my half siblings about the cookbook. He mentioned how much I valued it and all kinds of stuff. She wanted to share it with me, to cook from it, and to get to write in it like I will some day.
She pestered me about it and every time I told her no. Then her parents would tell her more about it. In the end she was upset and sobbing over being told no.
I had told her it was something special from my mom's side and I wanted to keep it private until I have children. That wasn't good enough because she insisted we're family and she's my sister.
My dad and his wife were angry with me. My dad's parents also told me I should have shared it with her and that I'm being cruel to her when my mom isn't alive to care if the child born from the affair gets part of the book or not, but she could be closer to me because I share it with her.
I don't really care about my dad or his wife's opinion. I have no respect for them. They're pieces of shit in my eyes. But my grandparents and I always got along okay enough. AITA?
Let's find out.
footfilthy writes:
NTA. And give the book to your aunt or uncle for safekeeping. Before it goes missing, is destroyed or “edited”.
skylight8 writes:
NTA. Hide the book. Don't hate your siblings, they are also victims. But you don't have to share with them or anything. If worse comes to worst tell everyone what you know. At least your siblings will know why you are angry.
sevenpotprince8 writes:
Dad's a definite asshole drama prince. What tf should he care about the book especially of someone he found boring and cheated on? Seems to me he doesn't like the product of that union either--that would be OP.
Keep that book safe OP. Copy it and keep the original in a safe place. I like the safe deposit box idea. Off the premises and away from everyone.
NTA by a long shot OP.