I was no longer going to protect anyone from consequences they had created themselves.
After the plates were removed, Henry placed his napkin beside his plate.
“This is more than I needed,” he said. “But I’m glad everyone’s here.”
I reached into my purse.
“Chris, I brought something for you.”
He looked at the envelope.
“What is it?”
“Open it.”
He removed the printed airline tickets.
His expression changed immediately.
“They were.”
For one brief moment, he smiled.
“I bought them months ago for our anniversary,” I said. “I was saving for the hotel.”
Chris folded the pages too quickly.
“Natalie, not now.”
“But the hotel money paid for your family’s last dinner.”
Tarryn turned toward her son.
“What does she mean?”
“The card balance was high,” Chris said. “I was putting the money back after my bonus.”
“You took it without asking me,” I said.
“I was fixing a bill.”
“You were fixing the result of staying quiet.”
Serena lowered her glass.
“Why are we discussing your marriage at Dad’s birthday?”
“Because, Serena, you made my money part of dinner before we’d even ordered.”
“I never forced you to pay.”
“You called me a credit card, ordered wine, and told your kids that tonight was covered.”
“It was a joke.”
“Then who was supposed to pay for the joke?”
Before she could respond, the waiter returned carrying several folders.
He placed one before each household.
Serena opened hers and stared at it.
“What is this?”
“Your check,” I said.
“It’s over $400.”
“You ordered steak, lobster, drinks, and dessert. Surely you can’t be surprised.”
I turned toward Chris.
“I told you everyone was paying tonight. Did you tell them?”
Every person at the table looked at him.
He cleared his throat.
“I was going to.”
“When?”
