My Mom Said, “Everyone Will Get Something Small.” My Boy Got Socks. My Sister’s Kids Got Phones. He Asked, “Did I Do Something Wrong, Mommy?” I Just Hugged Him. That Night, I Smiled… And Removed Everyone From My HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

Three days ago was Lucas’s fifth birthday party. I had sent invitations to my parents, my brother Tyler, and my younger sister Bethany six weeks in advance. I called to confirm. I texted reminders. I even offered to pick them up if transportation was an issue—though they all lived within twenty minutes of my house.

The party was supposed to start at two in the afternoon. I had rented a bounce house, ordered a custom superhero cake that cost me a week’s worth of groceries, and invited Lucas’s friends from preschool. I decorated the backyard myself, staying up until midnight the night before, stringing lights and hanging banners.

Lucas kept asking when Grandpa and Grandma were coming. When Uncle Tyler would arrive—he wanted to show them his new bicycle, the one I’d saved for months to buy. Every car that passed, he’d run to the window, pressing his little hands against the glass.

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