My stepdad, Jeff, constantly reminded us he was the “man of the house” and the breadwinner, always boasting about how lucky we were to have him. His favorite routine involved lounging in his recliner, leaning back with a smug grin, and saying, “You’re lucky I keep this roof over your heads.” But despite his constant bragging, he treated my mom, Jane, like a servant. It was clear to us that his “man of the house” routine was more about control than care.

On Mom’s birthday, Jeff promised a “special gift” that would knock her socks off. When the big moment came, Mom opened a beautifully wrapped box to find… a jumbo pack of toilet paper. Jeff explained, “Four-ply, just like your four kids.” Mom was speechless, but it was clear that Jeff’s idea of a gift was as thoughtless as his attitude. My sisters and I had had enough.

We came up with a plan to teach him a lesson. The next day, we invited him to a family dinner at his favorite restaurant, where we ordered the spiciest food possible. As he tried to prove his “manliness” by eating it, we knew it would backfire. Meanwhile, Mom, Lily, and I packed up her things and left him, including every roll of toilet paper in the house. Jeff, frantic and doubled over in pain, was left with nothing but his pride.

The next day, we sent him a gift of our own—a jumbo pack of toilet paper with the note: “For a real man.” Mom moved in with Lily, starting a new chapter, free from Jeff’s control. It was time for her to live life on her terms.