- 5.
く
My 15th birthday arrived. When I got home
from school, the house was empty and quiet.
As I reached for my phone, Mom’s call
popped up. It was noisy on her end.
“Danny, your dad and I are working, so we
can’t celebrate your birthday this year. Jake
and Sarah are with us.”
“I sent you a gift on Venmo, buy yourself
dinner.”
“We won’t be home tonight, don’t wait for
us.”
I heard Jake shout “Mom!” really loudly, and
then Mom hung up.
I looked at my phone, seeing the Venmo, I
rolled my eyes and didn’t accept it. What was
<
the point? It wouldn’t be more than 20 bucks.
I was done cooking noodles when I saw
Jake’s post on social media.
I had completely forgotten about this. Last
birthday, it was the same. The day was
supposed to be mine but there was a pop
star that was holding a concert in the next
city, Jake mentioned he wanted to go and
without a second thought my parents took
him and Sarah with them.
Mom remembered it was my birthday a little
after, sent me some cash and lied that she
was working. But the next day when I saw
Jake’s pictures, I flipped out. Then Jake acted
like he was going to move back to the
orphanage, my dad forced me to apologize.
Snapping out of my memories, I checked his
く
pictures. Jake was holding a light stick,
smiling and giving a thumbs up. There was
also a family picture, with them at the
concert.
Yeah, they were a family.
Except for me.
Everyone looked so happy. They said they
were working, so they sent me a Venmo with
a maximum of 20 bucks.
But they were, taking Jake to a concert for my birthday. They lied to me.
Both times.
It was all disgusting.
