My Older Cousin Used Me as a Free Maid for Months – My Dads Lesson to Her Was Perfect

Youd think family would be the last to take advantage of you, right? Thats what I believed until my cousin Ella started treating me like her personal maid. It wasnt until my dad came up with a brilliant plan that things finally took a turn.

You know how everyone has that one cousin whos a little bit extra? Well, for me, thats Ella. Im Zoe, 25, recently out of grad school, and trying to figure out what comes next.

A thoughtful woman looking out the window | Source: Midjourney

I work part-time at a local bookstore, just enough to keep the lights on while I look for something better. If Im being honest, my lifes pretty quiet: books, coffee, the occasional hike. Ive got a small circle of friends, and Im good with that.

I come from a big family where everyones in everyone elses business all the time. And Ella, my cousin whos a few years older than me, is right at the center of it. Shes got this energy thats almost exhausting to be around.

A woman laughing | Source: Midjourney

Youd think with her being married to Mike and having Tyler, their two-and-a-half-year-old son, shed have mellowed out. But no, not Ella. They live in this tiny basement apartment under her parents house. Its a tight fit, but hey, its home.

Id only been there a few times for family get-togethers and always felt a little out of place. I guess Id always been more of a watcher than a talker in the family, content to sit back and observe everyone elses drama.

A quiet woman sitting on a sofa during a small family gathering | Source: Midjourney

So, when Ella called me out of the blue one afternoon, sounding frantic, I wasnt too surprised.

“Zoe, I need a huge favor. Can you come over and watch Tyler? Something came up, and Ive got to go, like, now!” Her voice was higher-pitched than usual, and I could tell she was in a hurry.

I glanced at the clock. I didnt have anything planned. “Yeah, sure, Ella. Ill be there in ten.”

I mean, why not? Tylers adorable, and I figured it would be a nice break from my usual routine.

A little boy playing with his toys | Source: Midjourney

When I arrived, I barely had time to knock before the door swung open. Ella and Mike were practically tripping over each other to leave.

“Oh my gosh, thank you so much, Zoe!” Ella blurted out, already halfway out the door.

Mike gave a quick wave, “We owe you one!” and then they were gone, just like that.

Tyler, meanwhile, was all smiles, holding up his arms for a hug. “Hey, buddy!” I grinned, picking him up. I didnt think much about Ella and Mikes rushed departure.

A woman holding a little boy | Source: Midjourney

I was too focused on Tyler, his little laugh, his big eyes looking up at me like I was his favorite person in the world.

But then he tugged on my sleeve and said, “Hungry, Zozo.”

“Okay, lets see what we can find,” I said cheerfully, carrying him to the kitchen.

And thats when I saw it: the mess. I mean, the place looked like a tornado had swept through it. Dirty dishes piled up, crusted old food, trash spilling out of the bin, and a smell that made me wince. My heart sank.

A messy and dirty kitchen | Source: Midjourney

“What… happened here?” I mumbled, mostly to myself. Tyler just pointed to the fridge, oblivious.

“Okay, Ty, lets, uh, find something to eat,” I said, trying to sound cheerful. But I knew there was no way I was making him anything with the kitchen looking like this. So, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.

I scrubbed pots, rinsed dishes, wiped counters, tossed out boxes, and cleaned until I could at least see the counter again.

A woman looks exhausted after cleaning a kitchen | Source: Midjourney

“Wow, they werent kidding about needing help,” I muttered. Tyler giggled, thinking I was making a joke, but I was starting to wonder what Id signed up for.

The next weekend, Ella called again. “Zoe, can you come over? Just for a few hours?”

I hesitated but said, “Sure, Ill be there.”

But when I got there, it was like déjà vu. Same mess, maybe worse. Dishes everywhere, trash piling up, food crusted onto the stove.

A woman standing in a messy kitchen with dirty dishes piled up on the counter | Source: Midjourney

I sighed and started cleaning, enough to make Tyler a decent meal, thinking, They must be having a tough time. Itll get better soon. But it didnt.

Week after week, Ella called, and each time, I arrived to find the same mess. Ella would rush out with a quick “Thank you!” and leave me to handle the chaos.

One Saturday, it was worse than ever; the sink was buried under dishes, and the fridge was practically glued shut with grime.

A fridge in a messy kitchen looks dirty and covered in grime | Source: Midjourney

I spent nearly two hours just trying to make a clean spot to cook Tyler something simple. As I scrubbed, frustration bubbled up inside me. I wasnt babysitting anymore. It dawned on me that I was being used as their personal maid.

That evening, when I got home, I was fuming. My dad noticed right away. “Rough day?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as I threw my bag down and flopped onto the couch.

An exhausted and upset woman sitting at home | Source: Midjourney

I took a deep breath. “Dad, you wouldnt believe it. Ella keeps asking me to watch Tyler, but every time, the place is a disaster. I end up spending more time cleaning than actually taking care of Tyler. Its like shes using me for free maid service!”

Dad listened, nodding slowly. “And youve been doing this… how long?”

“Months!” I threw my hands up. “I didnt want to leave Tyler in the middle of that mess, but Im so tired of it.”

“Why havent you told her to clean up before you get there?” he asked, his brow furrowing.

A middle-aged man looks concerned while talking to someone at home | Source: Midjourney

“I dont know… I didnt want to seem rude,” I mumbled. “Ellas always saying how stressed she is, and I didnt want to add to it.”

Dad leaned back, crossing his arms. “Zoe, youre helping out with Tyler, not cleaning their house. You shouldnt feel guilty for not wanting to deal with their mess.”

I nodded, realizing how silly Id been for not seeing it sooner. Then I caught that familiar glint in Dads eyes: the one he gets when scheming something. I had no idea what he was planning, but I knew it would be interesting.

A middle-aged man smiles while talking to someone | Source: Midjourney

Dad leaned in close, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Heres what were going to do,” he whispered like he was letting me in on a secret mission. “Next time Ella asks you to babysit, say yes. But when its time to make dinner, Ill call her mother-in-law and tell her theres an emergency, and you have to leave.”

I blinked, trying to follow his plan. “And… you want me to just walk out and leave her kitchen like that?”

A woman seems puzzled while looking at someone | Source: Midjourney

He grinned wider. “Not quite. Ill tell her mother-in-law to bring over a pot and some plates but wont explain why. Lets see how Ella handles it when she has to face that mess herself.”

I laughed, some of my frustration fading. “Youre sneaky, Dad. I like it. But will it actually work?”

Dad just shrugged. “We wont know unless we try. Sometimes people need to see things from a different angle.”

So, the following Saturday, Ella called, just as frantic as before. “Zoe, can you watch Tyler again? I know its last minute, but—”

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

“Sure, no problem,” I cut in, trying to sound casual, even though my heart was racing with anticipation. I showed up at her place with a smile, played with Tyler, and kept glancing at the clock, waiting for Dads signal.

Around dinner time, I finally got the text from Dad, “Time to go.”

I took a deep breath and turned to Tyler. “Hey, buddy, Ive got to run out for a bit, okay?”

He looked up at me with those big eyes. “You goin Zozo?”

A little boy looks up while playing with his toys | Source: Midjourney

“Just for a little while,” I reassured him, feeling a little pang of guilt. I texted Ella, saying I had an emergency and had to leave immediately. Then, grabbing my bag, I headed to the door. Just as I stepped outside, I saw Ellas mother-in-law, Barbara, pulling up in her car.

Barbara stepped out, frowning, a big pot in one hand, plates in the other. “Zoe? Whats going on? Ella didnt mention anything about needing a meal,” she said, looking genuinely confused.

A middle-aged woman frowns while holding a pot in one hand and plates in the other | Source: Midjourney

I forced a polite smile, trying not to burst out laughing. “Im so sorry, Barbara, but I have to go. Thanks for coming by!” And with that, I hurried away before she could ask any more questions.

I could just imagine Barbara walking in, finding the kitchen in its usual disaster state, and Ella having to explain why it looked like a tornado had hit. I practically skipped home, waiting for the fallout.

Not ten minutes after I got home, my phone buzzed. It was Ella, sending a barrage of frantic texts.

A woman smiles while looking at her phone | Source: Midjourney

“What happened, Zoe? Why didnt you clean up?” one read.

Then another. “Moms here, and shes furious. What am I supposed to do?”

I decided to let her sweat for a bit. I put my phone down, turned to Dad, and gave him a thumbs up. “Mission accomplished.”

Dad chuckled. “I bet shes panicking right about now.”

I didnt reply to Ellas messages right away. I wanted her to sit with the mess — literally and metaphorically — for a little while. Finally, my phone rang, and I picked up, trying to sound innocent. “Hey, Ella! Everything okay?”

A woman feigns innocence while talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

Her voice was shaky, a mixture of panic and frustration. “Zoe, why did you leave like that? And why didnt you clean up the kitchen?”

I took a deep breath, keeping my tone calm but firm. “Ella, Im not your maid. Ive been coming over for weeks, and every time, its the same disaster. I agreed to babysit, not clean your entire house. I had to leave, and I thought it was time you dealt with it.”

A woman looks a little angry while talking to someone on the phone | Source: Midjourney

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She was silent for a moment, and then she sighed deeply. “I didnt realize it was that bad… I just… Ive been so overwhelmed, and I guess I took you for granted. Im really sorry, Zoe.”

I softened a little, hearing the genuine regret in her voice. “I get it, Ella, I do. But you need to understand, this isnt fair to me. I love Tyler, but I cant keep cleaning up like that every time.”

Ellas tone shifted, more earnest now. “I know. Youre right. I promise it wont happen again. Im so sorry.”

A woman looks a bit ashamed while talking to someone on the phone | Source: Midjourney

We talked a bit more, and she apologized again, sounding genuinely embarrassed. I told her I forgave her but also made it clear: “If you ever need help in the future, the place has to be clean before I come over. Otherwise, find someone else to watch Tyler.”

She agreed immediately, “Absolutely, Zoe. I swear, Ill make sure everything is spotless.”

After we hung up, I turned to Dad, grinning. “Well, I think that did the trick.”

He smiled back, a twinkle in his eye. “Sometimes, people just need a little nudge to see things clearly.”

A middle-aged man smiles while looking at someone | Source: Midjourney

And you know what? It worked. The next time Ella asked me to babysit, the apartment was almost sparkling. No piles of dirty dishes, no overflowing trash. She even had dinner prepared in advance.

Things have been better ever since. Ellas learned to manage her time and is more respectful of mine. And Tyler? Hes still the same sweet little boy, only now he gets a cleaner, happier place to play when Im around.

A woman and a little boy having fun together | Source: Midjourney

In the end, Dads plan wasnt just clever but perfect. Ella learned that family isnt free labor, and sometimes, the best way to teach a lesson is to let someone deal with the consequences of their actions.

Loved this story? Heres another one youll enjoy even more: Clara and her widowed Dad share a close bond, but his latest romantic move shakes things up. When he calls her the housekeeper to impress his new girlfriend, Clara feels both hurt and angry. Eventually, she decides to teach him a lesson…

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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.

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