Her Husband Gave Away the Piano Her Parents Bought Her at 12 Without Asking, and Now Her Sister-in-Law Is Demanding $300 for the Movers
On a Saturday morning, two movers knocked on a woman’s door to pick up her piano. It was the first she’d heard of anyone taking it.
Her husband had promised the piano to his sister without asking her. When she sent the movers away, her sister-in-law billed her $300, so she answered with a price of her own.
Movers at the Door
The movers had a work order with her sister-in-law’s name and the couple’s address. They were ready to load the piano onto their truck.
Standing on the porch in her socks, she called her husband. He was helping his brother build a fence that morning.
A Promise Made Without Her
Her husband explained that his sister’s daughter had started piano lessons in September. She’d been practicing on a small keyboard.
He’d promised his sister the piano because, according to him, his wife hadn’t played it since they bought the house. He’d meant to tell her Friday night but forgot.
A Piano From Her Parents
The piano is an upright her parents bought her when she was 12. It’s been part of her life for years.
Even if she doesn’t play often, the piano carries memories. For many people, items like that hold value that can’t be measured in dollars.
Christmas Carols and a Scratch
There’s a long scratch on one side from when her brother tried to skateboard through the living room in high school. She says that’s the first thing she thinks of whenever she looks at it.
These days, she mostly plays at Christmas. Her mom insists that everyone gather around and sing.
Sending the Truck Away
When she told her husband the piano wasn’t leaving, he said fine and told her to explain it to his sister. Then he hung up.
She went back outside and sent the movers away. The truck left empty.
A $300 Bill
On Sunday, her sister-in-law texted her the moving company’s receipt. The charge was $300, the company’s minimum fee even when nothing is moved.
Below the receipt, her sister-in-law wrote that since she’d sent the movers away, the bill was on her. To the woman, that felt unfair since she’d never agreed to give the piano away.
A $1,400 Price Tag
She looked up what used upright pianos like hers sell for in her area. Then she replied that if her sister-in-law wanted it for her daughter, the price was $1,400.
She offered to take $300 off to cover the moving fee. That way, her sister-in-law wouldn’t lose money on the movers.
She meant the offer sincerely. If the piano ever leaves her home, she’d rather it go to her niece than anyone else.
A Quiet Husband and a Piano That Stayed
Her sister-in-law hasn’t replied. The message is still sitting on read.
Her husband has been quiet since Saturday. The piano is still in the same spot, and she’s left wondering whether putting a price on it was fair or whether the real problem is that it was promised away without her ever being asked.
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