She Said: “Mom, You’re Turning 70. We Want To Celebrate You.” I Booked The Flight. Landed At LAX. THEN I REALIZED…

“At LAX. You said you’d pick me up for the party.”

More silence.

The background noise faded like she’d moved away from the group. “Mom, your birthday is not until next weekend.”

I closed my eyes. “No.

It’s the 16th. Today’s the 16th.”

“No, it’s the 9th. Your birthday is the 16th.

We said we’d do the party that weekend.”

My hand tightened on the phone. “Jessica, you said the weekend of my birthday. Today is Saturday the 16th.”

“No, Mom.

It’s Saturday the 9th. I literally have my calendar right here.”

I pulled the phone away and looked at the date. March 16.

“Jessica.”

“Oh my god.” Her voice changed. “Oh my god. I got the dates mixed up, I thought.

I swear. I thought—”

“You’re in Napa.”

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