Page 54 of The Birthday Girl
“You won’t fuck with a baby picture of me.”
“Oh, but I would.” Tahlia’s voice dropped. “And I’ll make sure when your time comes, you remember this call. You chose sides, so when Danielle rots, so will you. Together.”
Tisha’s breath caught on the other end, but she covered it quickly with a scoff. “You’re sick, Tahlia. That’s all you’ve ever been. Sick in the head. I should have left you in the hospital when you were born.”
“Or maybe, I should’ve murdered you while you were pushing. You’d probably be a better mother in death than you were in life.” Tahlia giggled. The line went dead, but the silence after was anything but empty.
She lowered her phone into her lap, and her lips curved into a smile that wasn’t joy, nor relief. It was a promise of what was to come.
As the limo slid through the city, Tahlia stared through the tinted glass, seeing nothing. Danielle wasn’t the only one with an expiration date.
Her parents had just joined the list.
19- In Deep Water
The marina was nearly empty when they arrived, the late sun spilling fire across the water. Their boat swayed lazily against the dock, white paint gleaming, nameplate polished as though someone had tended to it in their absence.
Tisha adjusted the strap of her handbag, her lips curling with satisfaction. “This sight is still beautiful after all these years, and worth every penny Tahlia spent.”
Steve grunted as he unhooked the mooring line, his thick fingers working overtime. “You’re right about that. This was the best gift Tahlia could’ve given us,” he said appreciatively, truly thankful for his daughter’s gift.
Tisha rolled her eyes but said nothing, her crimson-painted lips pressing into a thin line that had deepened into a permanent crease over thirty years of biting back comments. The unspoken arrangement between them hung in the salt-tinged air. She wouldn't disparage golden-child Tahlia with her billions, and hewouldn't mention how Danielle called Tisha twice a week for money.
Different daughters for different parents. The family was fractured along invisible fault lines that everyone, but Tahlia, pretended not to see.
The boards groaned beneath them as they stepped aboard. The air smelled of salt and varnish, clean but potent. The small cabin door was propped open, and on the table just inside sat a bottle of champagne resting in a silver bucket, a tray of fruit and cheeses, and two gift boxes wrapped in cream paper.
Tisha stopped short, gushing as she took in the setup. “Well, isn’t this something?”
Steve leaned past her, his eyebrows lifting. “Danielle. Who else would’ve thought to send us off right?”
“It has to be her. She’s the only one we told we were leaving,” Tisha agreed, her voice laced with triumph. “Unlike that other one, always too busy plotting to appreciate us.” She slipped off her sunglasses and reached for the nearest box, fingers trailing over the satin ribbon.
The sea rocked them gently, a lullaby against the hull. The gifts sat waiting in the dim cabin light, untouched, and perfect for the occasion. Neither of them wondered how Danielle had managed to arrange it so quietly, and neither of them asked why the food was still warm, or why the champagne hadn’t lost its frost.
They saw only what they wanted to see.
“Happy anniversary, baby,” Steve said as he tipped the bottle at an angle, releasing the cork with a hollow pop that echoed against the cabin walls.
Foam spilled over his knuckles, cold and sticky, as he filled both flutes. He passed a glass of bubbly to Tisha.
“I want to toast to many more beautiful years of life with my beautiful wife. You deserve love, luxury, and safety, and as long as I have breath in my body, those things you shall have.”
“I love you, baby.” She raised her glass high. “To us.”
“To us, with your sexy ass,” Steve flirted, hooking an arm around her waist and pulling her close to steal a kiss.
Tisha laughed softly before sipping her champagne. “Keep it up, and we’ll be setting sail later than planned.”
Steve chuckled, brushing his lips against her cheek before tipping his glass. The fizz bit at his throat, and he licked the foam from his bottom lip with a satisfied sigh.
Tisha leaned into him, her laughter lingering, sweet and indulgent. She took another sip, savoring the cold sparkle on her tongue. “Mm. Danielle really outdid herself this year.” Her fingers traced the rim of her glass. “Food, gifts, champagne… she’s finally learning what it means to honor her parents.”
“Look at how thoughtful she is,” she added, motioning at the table. “Only she would make sure our anniversary started off right.”
Steve’s jaw flexed, but he kept his tone easy. “Danielle tries. I’ll give her that, but this—” he gestured at the cabin, at the very boat rocking beneath them “—this is Tahlia’s doing. Don’t forget who gave us the means to live comfortably.”
Tisha rolled her eyes, downing another sip. “Danielle’s the one who appreciates us. Tahlia never did.”
