“Use this one.”
Daniel processed the payment.
This time, it went through.
Dad returned to his seat.
He didn’t finish his dinner.
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He simply stared toward the
fireplace.
My phone began ringing shortly after eight.
Camille called repeatedly.
Then Mom.
I didn’t answer.
I sat in my car with the heater running, watching the screen light up again and again.
Eventually, Mom left a voicemail.
I listened to it while driving home.
Her voice was furious.
She accused me of humiliating the family.
She said Dad had been forced to use his emergency credit card.
She told me that everyone had stared at them and that I’d ruined their anniversary.
Not once did she apologize for what she’d said to me.
Not once did she mention the fact that I’d paid for the original celebration.
She only wanted to know why I’d embarrassed them.
