“I didn’t say she was a mistake—”
“You implied it. Just like you’ve been implying for five years that my life is a disappointment. That I’m a disappointment. Well, guess what, Dad? I’m done trying to buy your approval with money I can’t afford to give. I’m done sacrificing my family’s stability for parents who can’t even show up for a birthday party.”
“This is ridiculous. You’re overreacting to one missed event—”
“It’s not just the party!” I was shouting now, years of suppressed frustration pouring out. “It’s everything! It’s the way you make me feel guilty for existing! It’s the way you compare me to Danny constantly! It’s the way you treat Marcus like he’s not good enough! It’s the way you ignore Lily unless it’s convenient for you! It’s the way you take and take and take without ever giving anything back!”
“We gave you life! We raised you!”
“That was your job! That’s what parents do! You don’t get a lifetime achievement award for doing the bare minimum!”
“The bare minimum?” Dad’s voice was shaking now with rage. “We gave you everything! We put food on the table, clothes on your back, a roof over your head! We paid for your school supplies, your field trips, your everything! And this is the thanks we get?”
“You did what you were legally obligated to do as parents. And now I’m doing what I’m legally obligated to do as a mother—protecting my child from people who hurt her. People who make her feel less-than. People who broke her heart today can’t even apologize for it.”
“We were going to apologize! We were going to call tomorrow and explain and send a nice present—”
“She doesn’t want a present, Dad! She wanted you! But you wanted Danny more! You wanted his impressive house and his successful life and the grandchildren you’re actually proud of!”
The line went quiet. I could hear breathing, murmured voices, the clink of dishes.
“Are you still at the dinner party?” I asked, suddenly exhausted. “Are you seriously having this conversation in the middle of Danny’s dinner party?”
“We stepped into another room—”
“Go back to your party, Dad. Go back to Danny’s impressive house with the pool and the gourmet kitchen. Enjoy the life you actually want to be part of. But don’t call me again asking for money. Don’t call Marcus’s work. Don’t contact Lily’s school. We’re done.”
“You can’t mean that.”
“I’ve never meant anything more in my life.”
