Patty was celebrating her 90th birthday and was eager to celebrate this major milestone with her daughter and grandchildren. However, when they didn’t pitch, she ended up celebrating with an unexpected guest bearing sad news.
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However, they also strongly resembled their father and Angie’s ex-husband, John. I was ever so fond of John, so it completely broke my heart when I discovered they were getting divorced.
John was the closest thing I’d had to a son of my own. He was caring and had a heart of gold. To this day, he still writes me every Christmas. I dearly wish he and Angie could have worked things out, but that’s how life is sometimes.
My birthday finally arrived, and I was over the moon with excitement. But as the day continued, I began to worry. It was going to be lunchtime, and I still hadn’t heard a peep from Angie. I called her several times, but she didn’t answer a single call.
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I tried to call Angie again, but it went straight to voicemail this time. I hoped that she couldn’t answer because she was driving. But, as time passed, it dawned on me that I would regrettably spend this day alone, like many other days.
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“Happy Birthday, Ma!!” John said with the warmest smile.
“John?! Oh, wow! You didn’t have to,” I chirped.
“Just brought you a little something to celebrate you on this wonderful day,” John said.
“Is that my favorite chocolate I see there? Oh, wow! You remembered?!” I responded, trying my best to hide my flushed cheeks.
“How could I forget? It’s all you’d ever eat!” John said, chuckling.
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“You’re too sweet. Care to join me for dinner?” I asked, ushering him in.
“Oh, no. I wouldn’t want to intrude. I’m sure you have plans. I just wanted to see your beautiful self and drop off your presents,” John said modestly.
“Nonsense! I don’t have anything planned, and I’d appreciate the company. Plus, I’m making apple pie,” I insisted.
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“They were all supposed to come, but Angie isn’t answering my calls. I honestly don’t know what happened, but I’m sure she’ll get back to me,” I said.
“I’m not sure what she has going on, but the least she could do is drop off the kids. I’ll give her a call,” John insisted.
John called Angie, and to my surprise, she picked up his call. John would later tell me why my daughter stood me up on my birthday.
“So, it turns out Angie, her new boyfriend, and the kids are all on vacation,” John said, rather upset.
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“Vacation? And she didn’t tell anyone? She just up and left? Why would she do that?” I asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine, Patty. Where does she get off leaving with my children without telling me a word?” John responded.
“Oh, no. This is very disappointing. And, who is this fellow? I didn’t even know Angie had a boyfriend,” I said, utterly bemused.
“She’d mentioned something in passing, but a whole vacation?! And apparently, they’d been planning it for about a month now. Excuse me, Patty, but I believe your daughter’s taken things a little too far this time,” John said, frustrated.