Chapter 3

Autumn came, and my birthday was just around the corner.

This was my first birthday since my mom died.

Before, on my birthday, my mom would always make me a big fruit cake, topped with exactly seven strawberries.

Luckily, my dad still remembered. A week before my birthday, he snuck up to me and asked, "Sophie, what do you want for your seventh birthday?"

I looked at him, a little hesitantly. "Can I have a cake? Just a small one is fine."

He reached out and ruffled my hair, his hand warm and comforting, just like he always did.

He said, "Of course. I'll get you the biggest and most beautiful cake I can find in town."

Those next few days, I was glowing with happiness.

Every day, I would draw in my little notebook.

I sketched the cake I dreamed of, with my dad, me, and my mom in heaven—the three of us, together, blowing out birthday candles.

I woke up extra early on my birthday.

I put on the prettiest red dress my mom ever bought me and sat quietly on the living room couch, waiting for my dad to finish his work.

Emily saw me and sneered. "Why are you dressed up in that red dress? Is it a big day today?"

I ignored her, just hugging my sketchbook even tighter.

Later that afternoon, Lucas woke up from his nap. When he saw me wearing the new dress, he got upset.

He hurried over to Emily and whined, "Mom, I want new clothes too. And I want to go to the amusement park."

Emily immediately agreed. She changed Lucas into a cute pair of overalls and then walked to my dad's study door, knocking gently.

"Honey, the weather is so nice today. How about we take Lucas to the amusement park? He's been begging to go for days," Emily said.

My dad came out of the study almost immediately. He gave me a look, hesitation flickering in his eyes.

"But it's—" he began, sounding unsure.

"Oh, come on, what are you waiting for?" Emily interrupted, rolling her eyes.

She said, "Sophie is old enough to stay home alone. We'll just go out for a bit and be back before dinner."

My dad glanced from the wailing Lucas to me, and after a moment's hesitation, he finally nodded.

"Alright then," he said gently to me. "Be a good girl, Sophie. I'll bring you back some yummy stuff."

I clutched my dress and nodded.

The three of them left together, holding hands, looking every bit like a sweet family.

As soon as the door clicked shut, the whole house suddenly fell quiet.

I stayed on the couch, waiting from afternoon all the way until nightfall.

When I got hungry, I went to the kitchen and drank some water.

I didn't even dare stray from my spot, scared that my dad wouldn't find me when he got home.

The clock on the wall ticked, moving so slowly that it was like time had frozen. Leaning back on the couch, I ended up falling asleep without even noticing.

I was startled awake by the click of the front door.

Groggily, I blinked and saw my dad, Emily, and Lucas walking back in.

Lucas was holding a giant, rainbow-colored balloon in one hand and in the other, a half-melted ice cream that was dripping everywhere.

They all had huge smiles on their faces—they looked like they had just come back from an awesome day out together.

"The cake," I whispered softly to my dad.

His smile froze. He looked at me, guilt and panic written all over his face.

"Oh no." He slapped his forehead. "I forgot all about it."

Emily strolled over, rolling her eyes. "It's just a cake. Kids always get hung up on these silly things. We'll pick one up for you tomorrow, okay? What's the big deal?"

Lucas held his balloon and strutted in front of me, showing off.

He grinned. "Mom and Dad took me to the amusement park because I'm their favorite child."

I stared at them, not saying a word, not even shedding a tear or kicking up a fuss.

I slipped back into my tiny bedroom and gently closed the door behind me.

Behind my closed door, the cheerful laughter of that little family drifted in as they tore open their gifts.

I took off the red dress, folded it up neatly, and tucked it away in the corner of my closet.

Then I pulled out the photo I kept hidden under my pillow.

I pressed the photo to my cheek, whispering, "Mom, have you also forgotten about me?"