night, he touched the bank statement.
“Just one month, Sarah. Ask them if they can take a little less.”
I kissed his knuckles.
“They need it.”
Mom promised they would come to Lily’s birthday.
“We wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
I believed her.
Saturday arrived with dollar-store balloons, a chocolate cake covered in pink frosting, and Lily eagerly waiting for her grandparents.
At two, the party started.
At three, their unopened gift was still sitting on the couch.
Lily kept looking toward the driveway.
By four, everyone had gone.
They still hadn’t come.
I called Dad.
Laughter and clinking glasses filled the background.
“Today?” he said. “We’re over at Danny’s.”
“You knew it was today.”
He sighed.
“We can’t drop everything for every little thing, Sarah. We have other grandkids. It’s easier over here.”
“And how did you pay for the trip?”
“We saved,” he snapped. “What we do with
our money is our business. You offered to help. Nobody forced you.”
Then he said it.
“We don’t count your family the same. Danny’s family is more… secure. You understand.”
I hung up before Lily could hear me break down.
The kitchen went quiet.
The banking app glowed on the counter.
Marcus stood beside the empty plates.
From the hallway came one tiny sob.
I canceled the transfer.
Then I started cutting every financial tie.
The car loan I had co-signed.
The two extra phone lines.
The emergency credit card they used for takeout and luxuries.
