We went down to the formal dining room to celebrate Laken’s birthday. My family was already waiting for us when we walked into the room, all decorated with a banner and balloons. Laken gasped with the effort my mother made to make her birthday memorable for the rest of her life.
“Happy birthday, Laken!” my family cried out when we arrived.
“None of you had to do this for me!” Laken exclaimed, bringing her hand to her chest.
“To be honest, we know who you are,” Mother finally told the truth. “We have missed so many birthdays with you,” and mother looked over at Laramie, “and with you, too. We can never take back the years we missed, but we will make up for what we have missed.”
“Wait, you know who we are?” Laramie asked my mother.
“Yes,” she answered. “I found out only yesterday that
