Chapter 1 - The Invitation
Three weeks earlier, Carol had called Sophie during her lunch break.
“I’m planning a small dinner for my sixtieth birthday,” she said. “Nothing extravagant. Just family.”
Sophie was eating soup at her desk while reviewing plans for a new office building. She worked as a project manager for a commercial design company. Her salary was comfortable, but it was nowhere near the fortune her relatives imagined.
“How many people?”
“Ten or twelve. Everyone will pay for their own meal.”
“That sounds reasonable.”
Carol sighed.
“I need help reserving the room. The restaurant requires a card on file, and mine has been acting strange.”
Carol’s cards always seemed to develop problems when money was due. Her banking app stopped working at checkout. Her card chip failed after she had ordered something expensive. Her wallet disappeared whenever a family bill arrived.
Still, Carol was Sophie’s mother, and sixty felt important.
Sophie contacted the restaurant and provided her card for what she believed was a temporary reservation hold.
Carol replied with heart emojis.
That evening, Sophie’s older brother, Evan, called.
“Mom says you’re hosting a luxury birthday dinner for her.”
“I’m not hosting anything.”
“She told everyone you insisted on paying.”
Sophie sat upright.
“What exactly did she say?”
“She said you wanted to make up for missing Thanksgiving, so nobody should bring money.”
Sophie had missed Thanksgiving because Carol had invited Sophie’s ex-husband without warning. When Sophie refused to attend, Carol told the family that Sophie was bitter and selfish.
“Did you correct her?” Sophie asked.
Evan hesitated.
“I didn’t know what was true.”
“You could have asked me.”
May you like
“I’m asking now.”
“No, Evan. You’re warning me after everyone has already been invited.”
