Oh, honey, gather ’round because Roger is about to dish out some juicy real-life drama that could rival your favorite reality TV show. Ready? Buckle up!
Our story begins in the small, unassuming world of a weekly drawing at the VFW, where the jackpot could either be your pleasant beer money or a life-changing windfall. Picture this: our protagonist (yes, we’re calling them that because a jackpot winner deserves a bit of glamor) doesn’t live in town but wants a piece of the action. So, naturally, they ask their family—come rain, snow, or a brother’s bet—to put in $10 for them in the coveted drawing.
And now, the plot thickens. This darling was owed $10 by their brother from a not-so-friendly sports betting exchange. (Come on, who among us hasn’t been in the middle of family-financial drama?) So, the brother, in what one might assume as an altruistic gesture—or simply out of a pure sense of duty—took said $10 (just returning the loan, mind you) and purchased the tickets. The dad filled out those golden slips, and voilà, they sent photos for verification. I mean, it’s the digital age; if there’s no picture, did it even happen?
And then, the moment of sweet serendipity: the drawing happens, the stars align, and BAM! Our protagonist’s ticket is pulled out of the hat like magic, making them $15,000 richer before the grim reaper of taxes gets his share. Cue the dramatic music and slow-mo celebration dance because, honey, it was their lucky day!
But hold onto your confetti because the drama isn’t over yet. Enter the brother, stage left, seemingly in great spirits until the green-eyed monster of envy rears its ugly head. ‘Fairness,’ he says, draped in noble cloth, ‘should grant me 20% for making it happen.’ Oh honey, someone roll out a fainting couch because Roger can feel a case of the vapors coming on.
Quick side note: our protagonist generously offers to pay for a celebratory trip with their beloved bro. A kind gesture, right? Dad even gets $100 in beer money, which everyone, including Roger, thinks is totally fair. Cheers to that! 🍻
Now let’s unpack this suitcase of nonsense. Let’s start with some basic math, darlings. 20% of $15,000 is a whopping $3,000. The audacity! The brother made those demands with a straight face, not even cringing at the enormity of it all. For $10 worth of lottery tickets? That’s like demanding a Michelin Star meal when you only brought the napkins. Come on now!
Let’s give props where they’re due. The protagonist didn’t ignore their family’s part; they offered a celebratory trip paid for in full. I mean, who wouldn’t want a mini-vacay on jackpot money? And dear old dad got his fair share of $100 in beer money for literally picking up the pen. Case closed, judgement fair. If anything, that’s more than honest; it’s magnanimous!
Still don’t believe me? Let’s play Devil’s Advocate and break it down further. The brother contributed a windblown $10, picked a number (likely at random), and that’s it. Imagine claiming royalties for thinking about Beyoncé once. Mise en place and all, but the hero of the story here is pure, unfiltered luck. So, in what twisted universe is it fair to demand such a hefty slice of the pie? I’ll wait.
Ultimately, this isn’t about the money but the principle. Asking for 20% reeks more of opportunism than fairness. Quinn might be jelly about the sudden cash inflow but let’s not forget that the ticket, license, and the rightful winner is our protagonist. Anything more than covering basics is just politeness, not a revenue share. Someone fetch Roger’s pearls because they’re about to be clutched tightly.
So what’s the verdict, folks? Cue the drumroll: NTA (Not The Asshole).
Protagonist, chin up and purse in hand, walk out with pride. You’ve navigated familial pettiness with grace and dignity while safeguarding your hard-earned (okay, lucky) winnings. Anyone who’s been on the other side of a family lottery stand-off knows, you’ve done well.
Now, off you go! Spend your good fortune as you please. Just don’t forget to share this tale so that other jackpot winners might find solace in their battles. Remember, darlings, fortune favors the bold and the lucky—however they may come.
Original story
My dad and brother have been playing a weekly drawing at the VFW for several weeks. The jackpots can be large until someone is called and then their number is pulled.
My brother even goes early in the morning to buy his tickets.
I live out of town and can’t attend. So this week I asked them to put in $10 for me in the drawing, and coincidentally my bro owed me $10 for a sports bet I placed for him.
They sent me photos of my tickets, with my brother picking the number and my dad filling them out. Fast forward to the drawing: my ticket was pulled and my number (the one he chose) came up meaning I won $15,000 before taxes.
I was ecstatic!
Afterward my brother, who makes more than I do, seemed a little jealous and said out of fairness I should give him 20% for making it happen. That seems ridiculous to me and I hate being in this position.
I told him no, I won’t cut him a check but I would pay for a trip for us to celebrate. As a side note, my father peeled off $100 in beer money for his trouble, which I am cool with.
AITA?