My cousin always takes my things and ends up ruining them—clothes, makeup, even my headphones. After years of saving, I leased my own Ford Escape. It was precious to me. My car, my rules.

Right before her 18th birthday, she texted me:

Cousin: “Hey, I’m borrowing your car this weekend—mall, road trip, everything. Don’t even say no.”
Me: “Sorry. My car is mine to drive, I need it.”
Cousin (rolling her eyes): “Ugh, you’re SO SELFISH. It’s my birthday, and everyone expects me to have a car. You’re ruining my life over a stupid car! It’s YOUR fault!”