Chapter 4
I tried to enjoy my birthday party.
I really did.
My best friend Jasmine arrived carrying a pink gift bag.
My cousin Aaliyah hugged me so tightly I nearly fell backward.
Grandma Evelyn helped arrange the cupcakes.
Uncle Raymond told embarrassing stories about Dad.
For a few minutes, the kitchen felt like the happy place I'd imagined.
Then Mom returned from the study.
Her expression was calm.
Too calm.
She smiled at the guests.
Complimented the decorations.
And began serving drinks.
Anyone who hadn't witnessed the argument would have thought nothing happened.
But I knew her.
I knew the way her mouth tightened when she was pretending.
I knew the careful smile.
The quiet anger underneath.
And I knew she'd called Uncle Calvin.
I watched her approach Grandma.
"Evelyn."
Grandma turned.
"Claire."
Mom smiled stiffly.
"I'm glad you could make it."
Grandma looked surprised.
Then nodded.
"Thank you."
For a moment, I felt hopeful.
Maybe Mom had finally decided to be kind.
Then she leaned closer.
I couldn't hear every word.
But I saw Grandma's face change.
Dad noticed too.
He immediately walked toward them.
"Everything okay?"
Mom smiled.
"Of course."
Grandma looked down.
I felt my stomach tighten.
Aaliyah touched my shoulder.
"Hey, birthday girl."
I turned.
She smiled.
"Want to open presents?"
I nodded.
"Sure."
We gathered in the living room.
My friends sat on the rug.
The adults stood near the windows.
I opened books.
Jewelry.
A new sketching set.
And a pair of sneakers I'd wanted for months.
Everyone laughed when Uncle Raymond gave me a giant stuffed bear.
I hugged it.
Then Grandma handed me her gift.
The box was large and wrapped in lavender paper.
I carefully opened it.
Inside was a beautiful wooden memory chest.
My name was carved into the lid.
MAYA BENNETT.
I gasped.
"Grandma!"
She smiled through tears.
"Your grandfather started making it before he died."
My heart stopped.
I touched the wood.
The edges were smooth.
Little flowers were carved along the sides.
Grandma continued.
"He wanted you to have somewhere to keep your important memories."
I began crying.
I opened the chest.
Inside were photographs.
Letters.
And a small silver bracelet.
I picked it up.
Grandma smiled.
"Your grandfather bought that when you were born."
My throat tightened.
On the back of the charm were three words.
ALWAYS OUR GIRL.
I hugged Grandma.
"Thank you."
She held me tightly.
Then whispered, "You never have to choose between loving your mother and loving us."
I began crying harder.
Because that was exactly what I'd wanted someone to say.
Mom stood near the doorway.
Her face was unreadable.
Then she spoke.
"That's a very expensive gift."
Grandma gently released me.
"It was Samuel's wish."
Mom looked toward the chest.
"Of course."
Dad stepped beside her.
"Claire."
She lifted her hands.
"What? I said it was nice."
I looked down.
The room had become uncomfortable again.
So I forced a smile.
"Can we cut the cake?"
Everyone agreed.
We returned to the kitchen.
Dad lit sixteen candles.
My friends began singing.
I closed my eyes.
For one moment, I wished our family could stop hurting each other.
Then I blew out the candles.
The room erupted in applause.
Dad kissed my forehead.
"Happy birthday, sweetheart."
I smiled through tears.
"Thanks, Dad."
But before I could take the first slice, the front door opened.
Uncle Calvin walked in.
He wore a dark suit and carried an expensive leather briefcase.
I stared at him.
He wasn't invited.
Mom rushed toward him.
"Calvin."
Dad went still.
Grandma's smile disappeared.
Raymond stepped forward.
Calvin looked around the room.
Then smiled.
"Happy birthday, Maya."
I didn't answer.
Something about his arrival frightened me.
He placed the briefcase on the counter.
Then looked toward Dad.
"Marcus, I hear there's been a misunderstanding."
Dad's expression hardened.
"Not today."
Calvin laughed.
"Come on. We're family."
Dad shook his head.
"You should have called before coming."
Mom stepped between them.
"I asked him here."
I stared at her.
"Mom!"
She turned.
"What?"
"You wouldn't let me invite Grandma, but you invited Calvin?"
Her face tightened.
"Watch your tone."
My eyes filled.
Dad immediately stepped beside me.
"Claire, enough."
Calvin looked amused.
"Sounds like everyone needs to calm down."
Grandma spoke quietly.
"Calvin, please leave."
His smile vanished.
"Evelyn."
She held his gaze.
"You've already caused enough trouble."
The kitchen fell silent.
My friends looked uncomfortable.
I wanted to disappear.
Dad turned toward me.
"Maya, why don't you and your friends go into the garden?"
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
Jasmine took my hand.
We walked outside.
The adults remained in the kitchen.
I could hear raised voices through the open window.
I tried not to listen.
But then Calvin shouted something that made me freeze.
"Marcus, your mother doesn't own that house anymore!"
Dad answered sharply.
"Nobody said she did!"
Calvin laughed.
"Then you should know what Claire signed."
My stomach tightened.
Jasmine looked at me.
"Maya?"
I shook my head.
"I need a minute."
I walked toward the patio door.
Then stopped when I heard Dad speak.
"What did she sign?"
Calvin's voice lowered.
I couldn't hear the answer.
But a few seconds later, Grandma gasped.
Then Dad said something I'd never heard before.
"Claire, tell me you didn't use our house to guarantee Calvin's debt."
I stared through the glass.
Mom covered her face.
Calvin looked away.
And Dad stood motionless.
My stomach dropped.
The house.
Our home.
The place where I'd grown up.
Was apparently tied to another secret.
I stepped backward.
Then Jasmine caught my arm.
"Maya, what's happening?"
I looked at her.
Tears streamed down my face.
May you like
"I think my parents might lose our house."
And for the first time in my life, I was afraid that my birthday wasn't the only thing falling apart.
