Dad placed the folder in front of Mom. “I didn’t sign up to grow old with someone who let herself go. Happy birthday.”
Mom stared at it. Owen reached over and untied the ribbon. The papers slid out.
Divorce documents.
I wish I could say Mom yelled at him. I wish I could say she threw the papers in his face or smashed the cake or did anything that matched what he deserved.
But she just sat there. Her face went blank in a way that scared me.
That night, Dad packed a suitcase while the rest of us stood there in disbelief. Ben paced. Nora was furious in that dangerously quiet way she had. Lucy stayed glued to Mom. Owen looked completely lost.
When Dad came down the hallway with his bag, Mom stopped him at the door. “You’re leaving now?”
“I’ll come back for the rest later.”
He stepped past her and left.
After that, everything unraveled quickly.
