As I looked at my calendar, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement for New Year’s Eve. It was a night I had been eagerly anticipating for weeks. I took a moment to smooth out the burgundy dress I had been saving for a special occasion and admired my reflection in the mirror. My hair was styled in soft waves and my makeup was professionally done. For the first time in a long time, I truly felt radiant.
Whispering to myself, I couldn’t help but smile, “This is going to be a night to remember.” My high school classmates were hosting a reunion dinner and at 60 years old, reconnecting with old friends held a special significance. The plan was simple- leave the house by seven, arrive at the restaurant by eight, and spend the evening laughing and reminiscing.
As I finished applying my lipstick, my phone buzzed and Jake’s name lit up the screen. “Hey, Mom!” His voice was as cheerful as ever. “Hi, Jake. What’s up?” I asked, still smiling.
“We’re driving over now to drop off Jenni and Lily. Just till midnight!” he said breezily. My heart sank as I froze. “What? Jake, I have plans tonight. I’m going to my reunion.” I tried to explain, but he cut me off, insisting they would be back before I knew it.
Before I could say anything else, they were already in the car and driving away. I stood there, stunned, as my granddaughters smiled up at me. “Grandma, can we watch cartoons?” Jenni asked, tugging on my hand. I forced a smile and replied, “Sure, sweetheart. Come inside.”
As I settled them on the couch and they giggled at their favorite show, my phone buzzed with messages from my classmates. Photos started pouring into the group chat- friends laughing, glasses raised in toasts, and the restaurant glowing with candles and decorations. It looked magical, and I couldn’t help but feel disappointed and frustrated that I wasn’t there.
Sitting alone at the kitchen table, the disappointment and frustration bubbled to the surface. I had been looking forward to this night, but now I was stuck at home because Jake and Amanda assumed I was free.
By 11 p.m., I tucked the girls into bed. They fell asleep easily, but my mind was racing. I called Jake’s phone, but it went straight to voicemail. The same thing happened when I tried calling Amanda. Frustrated, I opened Instagram and there it was- Amanda’s story. A video of her and Jake clinking glasses at a party, laughing with friends. The caption read: “Ringing in the New Year with the best crew!”
Midnight came and went. I sat alone in the dimly lit living room, scrolling through more photos from my classmates. When I finally heard the crunch of tires in the driveway, it was 3 a.m.
Jake and Amanda strolled in, laughing softly, their carefree demeanor striking a nerve. “Hey, Mom!” Jake said cheerfully. “Do you have any idea what time it is?” I asked, my voice calm but laced with anger.
“Sorry about that,” Jake said, brushing it off. “Our friends wouldn’t let us leave.”
“No, Jake. This isn’t okay,” I said firmly. “You dropped your kids off without asking, ruined my plans, didn’t answer your phones, and showed up hours late. Do you understand how disrespectful that is?”
Amanda rolled her eyes and said, “Linda, it was just one night. Can we not make this a thing?”
