While Audrey’s younger sister received $50 annually, Audrey’s parents said they were unable to provide her with birthday presents for three years. Audrey brought a cake to a family get-together the day after her seventeenth birthday, only to learn a startling fact that altered everything.
I gazed at my mobile device. My mother sent me a brief but direct text:
“This year, we are unable to buy you a present. I’m sorry, honey.
I refrained from crying. To be honest, I wasn’t even shocked. For the past three years, nothing has changed. No presents or preferential treatment for me. But Lily, my sister? She always manages to obtain stuff. Like it’s no big deal, they give her $50 on her birthday every year. Me? Someone texts me.
I can recall the beginning. My parents told me that due of their financial situation, they couldn’t afford to buy me anything for my fifteenth birthday.
I got it at the time, but when Lily’s birthday arrived two months later and they managed to find the money for her, it hurt much more. They pretended everything was OK, grinned, and laughed.
However, there was a problem. The presents weren’t the only thing. It was all of it. They would ignore me when I attempted to speak with them. They would only pay attention to Lily when I tried to join them in the living room. Each and every time. I kept wondering if I had done something incorrectly, but I was never able to identify it.
My grandparents were the only people who genuinely cared about me. On my birthdays, they always took me out and gave me small, thoughtful presents.
But this year… this was it. I was at my breaking point this year. The presents did not make me angry. All I wanted was for them to see me.
Yesterday was my birthday, and it came and went. Not even a card, no cake, no gifts. Dad and Mom were “busy” once more. I saw Lily get ready for her own birthday today while spending the evening at my parent’s house alone. Her fourteenth birthday is coming up. She made no mention of my birthday at all. For her, it was just another day.
Mom texted me once more this morning.
“At three, we’ll be home.” Please bring the cake you often bake.
Yes, that is a different matter. The day after my birthday, I make a chocolate cake every year. When I bring it to my parents’ place, we all act as though it’s for Lily. However, it’s the one thing that makes me feel like I belong.
Gazing at the partially completed cake on the counter, I let out a sigh. The aroma of vanilla and cocoa filled the kitchen. I had no idea why I was still doing this, but I suppose old habits do not go away. A part of me wanted to skip the party and just toss away the cake. The part of me that still wished for a different outcome, however, continued to work.
Whispering to myself, “I don’t need gifts,” I spread the icing. “I just need them to care.”
All I ever wanted was that. Not the cash, not the possessions. I desired their affection and attention. I wanted them to inquire about my day and whether I was doing alright. I desired to feel important.
The cake seemed to be a metaphor for my life as I stared at it. Something I’d worked so hard for, but for what? Would anyone notice at all?
I was worn out by the time I was done. both mentally and physically. I stood there, caught between sadness and rage, as the cake sat there, flawless and unaltered.
It was Lily who called me. “Hey, don’t be late. Mom says we’re going to eat at four. Bring that cake, too. She had spent the entire morning discussing it.
I bit my lip. “Sure.”
Then, just like that, she hung up. Normal.
I wasn’t going to play their games this time, though. I intended to eat the remainder of my cake by myself and offer them only one slice. They deserve it for ignoring me all this time.
I gazed at the timepiece. Half past two had already arrived. All I could think about was what was waiting for me at my parents’ house, even though I knew I should be getting ready. I stood in the background while they fawned over Lily once more. My birthday didn’t matter this year either.
I carefully placed the cake in the box after picking it up. I had the unshakeable impression that this year would be no different from the others. However, it’s possible that I was mistaken.
I tried to ignore the well-known pain in my chest as I prepared to depart. It was almost too quiet in the house. I grabbed the cake, put on my shoes, and inhaled deeply.
“You can do this,” I said in a low voice.
I wanted to think it was true. Yes, I did. I wasn’t entirely sure, though, as I left the house and made my way to the bus stop.
A woman holding a box and speaking to a bus stop | Source: Midjourney
A woman holding a box and speaking to a bus stop | Source: Midjourney
The driveway was packed when I arrived at my parents’ house. There was also Grandma’s and Grandpa’s automobile. As I stepped out with the cake poised in my hands, my pulse was pounding. As I inhaled deeply and made my way to the entrance, the aroma of cocoa filled the air.
I gently knocked before letting myself in. Unusually quiet for a family get-together, the house was. Anticipating laughter or Lily’s voice chatting about her birthday, I scowled. However, I nearly dropped the cake when I entered the living room.
Mom, Dad, Lily, and even my grandparents were all there in front of me, smiling. Additionally, they were all sporting T-shirts with my face. Above my photo, the words “Happy Birthday, Audrey!” were displayed in strong, bright characters.
“What… what is this?” I was hardly able to talk as I stammered.
Mom came forward with a gleam in her eyes that I hadn’t seen in a while. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
I blinked. “But… it’s Lily’s birthday.”
Lily shook her head and giggled. “Audrey, not today. It’s all about you today.
All of the feelings came at me at once. Shock, confusion, and a glimmer of optimism. Unsure of what to say, I stood there clutching the cake even more tightly.
Dad approached and carefully removed the cake from my grasp. “Let’s put this down before you drop it,” he gently laughed.
He put the cake on the table, and I watched. My chest was thumping with my heart. “I am unable to comprehend. What’s happening?
Mom softened her expression. Before she spoke, she gave Dad a quick look. “We must give you an explanation, Audrey. We sincerely apologize for not celebrating your birthday with gifts the past few years.
As she went on, a knot started to grow in my throat.
With a pause in her voice, she stated, “We’ve been planning something special for a long time,” “We wanted to give you a major surprise. We reasoned that waiting would add even greater significance to today.
Dad gave a nod. Audrey, it wasn’t about forgetting you. We will always remember you. We simply wanted this moment to be flawless.
As I stood there, I tried to take it all in. However, it was painful. The idea that you didn’t give a damn about me was painful. I didn’t require presents. All I wanted to know was that you noticed me.
Mom’s eyes filled with tears. “Honey, we are aware. We ought to have informed you earlier. We were unaware of the extent of your pain.
I felt the tears begin to pour as I took a deep breath. I couldn’t stop crying, even though I didn’t want to. “All I wanted was your focus. I desired to feel important.
Dad took a step forward and spoke softly. “We have always valued you. Audrey, we’re very proud of you.
I could feel the years of disappointment and hurt dissolving as the words finally hit home. A part of me was still unable to fully let go of the anguish, even if the strain in my chest slightly decreased.
With a gentle grin, Mom dried her eyes. “We have something for you.”
Dad took a tiny box out of his pocket. I shook my hands as I took it from him. I opened the box slowly, and a gleaming silver key was inside.
They all yelled, “Happy birthday, Audrey!” together.
I looked incredulously at the key. “A… a car?”
Dad grinned with pride. “Yes. They have it parked outside. We wanted to give you a unique gift that you would always remember.
I wasn’t thinking about the car, but my heart was pounding. I peered up at them, my vision dimmed by tears. “Thank you, but… it’s not the car I needed.”
Dad paused his smiling. “What do you mean?”
My voice trembled as I wiped my eyes. All I needed to know was that you cared for me. All I wanted was that.
Mom came forward and put her arms around my body. “We adore you so much, Audrey. You have always been loved by us.
I sobbed and gave her a strong hug. “I just felt so invisible.”
Dad added, “You’re not invisible,” to the embrace. “We see you, and we’re so sorry for making you feel that way.”
Lily approached, her eyes hazy. Audrey, you are the greatest. If I ever gave you the impression that I was the favorite, I apologize.
I pulled her into an embrace and shook my head. “It wasn’t your fault.”
The four of us stood there, holding one another in a manner that had not been done for years. Although the anguish persisted, it was being replaced by something else. Relief. Love and forgiveness.
Yes, the automobile was nice. But it didn’t matter at the time. The fact that I felt noticed at last was all that mattered.
Did you enjoy this story? Take a look at this one: Liam, 14, took matters into his own hands when his sister Emily, 17, was ejected on her 17th birthday. His intentions to lift her spirits, however, took a surprising turn when he discovered something that would forever alter Emily’s life.
Although this work has been fictionalized for artistic reasons, it is based on actual individuals and events. To preserve privacy and improve the story, names, characters, and specifics have been altered. Any likeness to real people—living or dead—or real events is entirely accidental and not the author’s intention.
The publisher and author disclaim all liability for any misunderstanding and offer no guarantees regarding the veracity of events or character portrayals. This story is presented “as is,” and the opinions stated are those of the characters and do not represent the publisher’s or author’s.
