Chapter 2 - The Addendum
The paper Maria revealed was an official invoice addendum on Whimsical Wonders letterhead.
I pulled the clipboard closer, my fingers digging into the cold metal frame. My eyes traced the line items:
*Standard Children’s Buffet: Cancelled.*
*Artisan Charcuterie & Carving Station (Jonah’s Guest Table): $1,400.*
*Custom Musical Fondant Cake: $450.*
*Lily’s Birthday Cake: Downgraded to Standard 6-inch Sheet Cake ($35).*
*Remaining Balance Paid Via: Joint Savings Account Ending in 4402.*
Account 4402 was our emergency savings account. It was the account where I had deposited my quarterly design consulting bonus—money meant to cushion our mortgage payments and fund Lily’s summer camp.
“You downgraded Lily’s party?” I whispered, looking directly at Ben. “You took the food meant for an eight-year-old and her school friends to host a gourmet reception for Vanessa’s son?”
Vanessa stepped between Ben and me, tossing her highlighted hair over her shoulder. “Claire, stop acting hysterical. Jonah was accepted into Saint Jude! Do you have any idea how prestigious that is? The board members and his prospective instructor agreed to attend a celebratory luncheon. We couldn’t just book another venue on two weeks' notice. Everything in the city was full!”
“So you hijacked my daughter’s birthday?” I asked, my voice deadly quiet.
“We didn't *hijack* anything,” Vanessa retorted dismissively. “We combined resources! Ben and I agreed that since you were already paying for the large room, it was stupid to let the space go to waste. Jonah’s future actually matters. Lily is eight! She won’t even remember this party!”
“She will remember that her own aunt and father starved her while twelve of her classmates ate cake!” I shouted.
A collective gasp rippled through the room. The parents from Lily’s school were horrified. Mrs. Patterson, the mother of Lily’s closest friend, Maya, immediately stepped forward and gently pulled Lily away from the center of the room, crouching down to comfort her.
Ben grabbed my wrist. “Claire, that’s enough. Vanessa’s right about the scene. You’re blowing this completely out of proportion. Jonah needed this showcase. The music director from Saint Jude came all the way from Boston. We just had to cut corners on the kids' menu so we could afford the adult catering package.”
“You didn’t cut corners, Ben,” I said, looking down at his hand on my wrist until he let go. “You took my money. You signed an order telling the staff to withhold food from our daughter so you could save a few hundred dollars on headcounts.”
“You were supposed to bring her a sandwich from home!” Ben hissed, his voice cracking with exasperation. “I told Vanessa to text you that Lily was on a temporary detox or something! You were supposed to handle it!”
“I received no text, Ben. You planned this behind my back.”
I turned to Maria, who looked deeply uncomfortable.
“Maria,” I said firmly. “Whose credit card is on file for the security deposit and incidental charges today?”
“Yours, Mrs. Miller. The card ending in 1098.”
May you like
“Cancel the event,” I said.
***
