My stepmother smashed my late mother’s precious crystal set to pieces – she had no idea she had been tricked.

Gasps echoed through the room. People turned to look at Sandra. Her face had gone white, but her designer dress remained bright and gaudy.

The video continued. Sandra methodically destroyed each piece. Every bang echoed through the speakers. Her laughter accompanied every broken glass.

“Let’s see how he honors his precious mother!”  laughed Sandra.

I turned to the crowd. Sandra looked like she was about to faint.

“Fortunately,” I said clearly, “the crystal glass set you just saw destroyed was a replica. The real thing is safe, thanks to my Aunt Marlene.”

My aunt appeared at the back of the room. She was carrying a silver tray containing my mother’s real crystal glasses. They reflected the lights and cast rainbows on the ceiling.

The crowd erupted in applause. Dad rose from the table. His face expressed an anger I’d never seen before. He slowly walked toward Sandra’s table. His every step echoed in the now silent room.