Patty, a 90-year-old woman, had lived a full and happy life, though it hadn’t been without its heartaches. After the passing of her husband a few years ago, it was just her and her daughter, Angie. On the day of her 90th birthday, Patty was eagerly awaiting a celebration with her daughter and grandchildren, as promised. She loved seeing her grandkids, who reminded her so much of when Angie was little, but she also missed her late husband, and Angie’s divorce from John, her ex-husband, had been a difficult experience for Patty. Still, John remained close, writing to her every Christmas, and Patty had always hoped things would work out between Angie and him.
As the hours ticked by on her birthday, Patty began to feel a growing sense of dread. Lunch came and went, but Angie hadn’t called or shown up. Patty tried calling her daughter several times, but all her calls went unanswered. By the time the afternoon passed, Patty realized that she might be spending her 90th birthday alone.
Feeling both disappointed and sad, Patty was just about to give up when the doorbell rang. With excitement, she shuffled toward the door, hoping it was Angie and the grandkids. However, when she looked through the glass, it was not her daughter standing there, but John, her former son-in-law, holding flowers and gifts.
“Happy Birthday, Ma!!” John greeted her warmly.
“John?! Oh, wow! You didn’t have to,” Patty said, her heart swelling with emotion.
John smiled and explained that he just wanted to drop off a little something to celebrate her. He had even remembered Patty’s favorite chocolate, which made her blush. They chatted for a moment before Patty invited him in for dinner.
“I’m making apple pie,” she said, hoping for some company.
John hesitated, saying he didn’t want to intrude, but Patty insisted, and he eventually agreed. The two of them spent the evening cooking together, reminiscing about old times. John was a great cook, just like Patty’s late husband, and she loved having him around.
As they sat down to dinner, John asked about Angie. Patty explained that Angie and the kids were supposed to come, but they hadn’t shown up, and she hadn’t heard from them. John seemed confused and concerned.
“I’ll give her a call,” he said, eager to figure out what was going on.
When John called Angie, he discovered that she, her new boyfriend, and the kids had gone on vacation without telling anyone. Patty was stunned. “Vacation? And she didn’t tell anyone? She just up and left? Why would she do that?” she asked, hurt and confused.
John shared his frustration. “Your guess is as good as mine. Where does she get off leaving with my children without telling me a word?”
Patty was left feeling deeply disappointed. “This is very disappointing. And, who is this fellow? I didn’t even know Angie had a boyfriend,” she said, bewildered.
John explained that Angie had mentioned the boyfriend in passing, but the whole vacation was planned without her telling anyone. This revelation only deepened Patty’s pain.
“I feel hurt that she didn’t even bother to tell me,” Patty admitted, her voice tinged with sadness.
John reassured Patty that she shouldn’t be alone on her birthday. He offered his company, and they spent the rest of the evening together. “Thanks to you, son, I’m not,” Patty said, grateful for his kindness.
The next day, Patty called Angie. Angie apologized, explaining that she hadn’t meant to upset her and promised to visit as soon as possible. However, Patty couldn’t shake the feeling that this was more than just an innocent mistake. She was deeply hurt by Angie’s lack of communication, and she wasn’t sure how to move forward.
The love Patty had for her daughter was unwavering, but the hurt lingered. She found herself questioning how to trust Angie again. What should she do in this situation? Could she forgive her daughter for this disappointment, or would the gap between them grow even wider?
Patty’s 90th birthday ended up being far from the celebration she had envisioned. Instead, it was a reminder of the fragile nature of family relationships and the importance of communication and care. While she was grateful for John’s unexpected visit, Patty still found herself struggling with the hurt caused by her daughter’s actions.
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