Chapter 5 - The Cake
They didn't make it to the front gate.
Doreen stepped in front of them.
“Don't be dramatic.”
Taryn stared at her.
“My daughter was just slapped.”
“She was reaching for something that wasn't hers.”
“It was her birthday cake.”
Doreen's eyes narrowed.
“Everything isn't automatically hers because she was born today seven years ago.”
Taryn's jaw tightened.
Lula looked frightened.
“Mom?”
Taryn squeezed her hand.
“Stay behind me.”
Doreen scoffed.
“You've spoiled her.”
“No,” Taryn said quietly. “I've protected her.”
Doreen laughed.
“From what?”
Taryn looked at the cake.
Then at the empty table.
Then at the gifts.
“Apparently, from her own family.”
The guests grew quiet.
Nobody wanted to become involved.
Nobody wanted to challenge Doreen.
Taryn looked around the backyard.
She recognized every face.
People who had watched Lula be excluded.
People who had watched Doreen favor another child.
People who had heard the insults.
May you like
And people who had said nothing.
That silence suddenly felt louder than the music.
