Chapter 9 - The Birthday Party
Two weeks later, our backyard was transformed into a winter wonderland.
Bright pink and silver balloons decorated the patio, outdoor heaters kept the big party tent warm and cozy, and a massive inflatable bouncy castle sat on the lawn, filled with laughing children.
It was Mia’s seventh birthday.
Nearly every child from her class at Saint Luke’s Academy was there. Victoria Vance and several other mothers—who had offered profound, tearful apologies after the truth about Sharon’s lawsuit hit the local papers—sat at the patio tables, drinking hot cider and chatting warmly with me.
Mia stood in the center of the lawn, wearing a tiara and a sparkling silver dress, surrounded by her friends as Thomas brought out a three-tiered birthday cake covered in pink frosting and sparkling candles.
"Make a wish, Mia!" Noah shouted from the front of the crowd, wearing a party hat tipped precariously over his ear.
Mia closed her eyes tight, took a deep breath, and blew out every single candle in one go.
May you like
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause.
Mia ran straight over to Noah, gave him a tight, energetic hug that almost knocked his party hat off, then ran into Thomas’s waiting arms as he lifted her high into the air, swinging her around while she laughed with pure, unbridled joy.
