Page 302 of Cheaters: A Dark Romance Anthology

THREE YEARS LATER

There’s always the straw that broke the camel’s back, or so everyone says. But, little did I know, the straws had been piling up for some time. Some people can endure way too many straws before they all collapse. Some people can hold all the straws, and nothing will ever faze them. Uncle Davey’s birthday party was the last straw for him. Unfortunately for him, his collapse came soon after.

* * *

Momma says to pick one of my special dresses to look my best, and I love wearing my fancy clothes. She turns my straight, brown hair into long, wavy curls, and I throw on one of Momma’s old necklaces. Uncle Davey’s birthday is this weekend, and his wife, Kristie, is throwing him a surprise party. I’ve only met her two or three times, but she seems nice. The party includes a few of their friends, my mom and dad, and another little girl, Chloe, dressed in her Sunday best too.

Chloe and I quickly make friends, and we spend most of the party in my room playing MASH and giggling about boys — who the cutest one in our grade is. She isn’t in my class, but I see her around the playground at school.

“Sky, Chloe. Come downstairs; it’s almost time,” my momma hollers up the stairs to us.

We giggle and run downstairs with a few seconds to spare and hide behind the couch with Momma. Dad and Uncle Davey stroll in from the front door. We all jump up and yell, “Surprise!”

Uncle Davey gets a huge smile on his face, and then he laughs. I love seeing him smile; he’s sad most of the time.

“Look, Uncle Davey.” I step around the couch and run to him. “Momma said I had to look my best for you. Happy birthday!” I swing my arms around him and kiss him on the cheek.

“Thank you, Bug.” He gives me a big bear hug. “I love your hair today!”

“Thanks!” I smile. After he sets me down, I grab Chloe’s hand, and we run into the backyard to play on the swing set.

A little while later, we return to the house. It was almost time for cake and ice cream — my favorite part.

“Sky, why don’t you go find Uncle Davey and tell him he needs to blow out these candles,” Momma asks as she carries the cake to the table.

I nod and sprint upstairs to find him. I see him next to Dad and Chloe’s dad, Michael — they are talking about work. “Excuse me, Uncle Davey.”

“Oh, hey, Bug. What’s up?”

“Momma says it’s time for cake and to get your butt downstairs.”

“Did she now?” Uncle Davey’s thunderous laugh is music to my ears.

I shake my head, “no, that was me. But she did say it’s time for cake.”

Dad chuckles and stands up. “Can’t keep Jessica waiting. When she wants her cake, she gets her cake.”

“I thought it was my cake? Isn’t today my birthday?” Uncle Davey shakes his head to hide his smile. Any cake Momma makes or buys is her cake, no one else’s, no matter the occasion.

I grab his hand and lead him down the stairs to the dining room. Momma gathers everyone around the table and lights the candles.

“Ready? One, two, three.”

We all sing Happy Birthday, and I yell, “Make a wish!” I know it’s not my birthday to make a wish, but I wish he would be happy. Everyone cheers and Momma cuts the cake, serving Uncle Davey first. Dad helps to plate out the rest of the cake.

“Jessica, have you seen Kristie?” Uncle Davey asks.

Momma spins, looking around the living room before saying, “She was here just a second ago.”

“I’ll go find her.” Uncle Davey finishes his cake and gets up from the table. “Thanks for the cake.”

She smiles and pats him on the shoulder.

I stay behind, but I follow Uncle Davey on his quest until Chloe drags me away. We are heading back upstairs when I hear Uncle Davey yell.

“What the fuck is going on?”

Something crashes behind us, causing Chloe to squeeze my hand. It sounds like a lamp fell off a shelf and broke. I pause on the step to turn around, and then I see Uncle Davey coming around the corner and walking toward Momma.

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