My name is Patty, and after 90 years of life, I can say with certainty that it has been a happy and blessed one. Since my husband passed away a few years ago, it’s just been me and my daughter, Angie.

I remember how excited I was about the party for my 90th birthday. My daughter said she and my grandchildren would come see me and spend the day with us.

My heart was always warmed when I saw my grandchildren. It reminded me of when my husband and I were raising Angie together. My grandchildren often made me think of my daughter, and they also looked like her.

But they also looked a lot like their father, John, who was Angie’s ex-husband. I really liked John, so when I heard that he and his wife were getting a divorce, it broke my heart.

John was the most like a son that I’d ever had. He was kind and had a golden heart. He still sends me a Christmas letter every year. I really wish he and Angie could have gotten along, but that’s not always how life works.

My birthday finally came, and I was so happy I could hardly stand it. But as the day went on, I started to get worried. I hadn’t heard anything from Angie yet, and it was almost lunchtime. I tried calling her several times, but she never answered.

I tried to call Angie again, but this time the call went right to her voice mail. I hoped that because she was driving, she wouldn’t be able to answer. But as time went on, I realized that, like so many other days, I would have to spend this one alone.

“You’re just too nice. Want to come to dinner with me?”

Then, at last, the doorbell rang. If my knees weren’t in such bad shape, I would have jumped up at that very moment. I hadn’t seen Angie and the kids in a while, so this was the best birthday present ever.

When I got to my glass door and saw the man’s silhouette on the other side, I felt sick to my stomach. When I opened the door, John was there with flowers and presents.

“It’s your birthday, Mom!” John said with a big smile on his face.

“John?! Oh, wow! I said, “You didn’t have to.”

John said, “I just brought you a small gift to honor you on this wonderful day.”

“Do I see my favorite candy over there? Oh, wow! You don’t forget?!” I replied, doing my best to hide the fact that my cheeks were red.

“What was I thinking? It would be all you eat!” John said, chuckling.

“You’re just too nice. Want to come to dinner with me?” As I led him in, I asked.

“Oh, no. I don’t want to get in the way. I’m sure you have plans. John said, “I just wanted to see how beautiful you are and give you your gifts.”

“Nonsense! I don’t have anything to do, and it would be nice to have someone to talk to. I also said, “I’m making an apple pie.”

“Apple pie? “You should have said that first,” John said as he walked in.

John was also a great cook, which was another thing I liked about him. This made me think a lot of my late husband, who also made great food. John and I cooked a lot that day. He insisted on doing most of the work, and I was happy to have him there. John finally asked about Angie as we were eating dinner.

“Vacation? She didn’t tell anyone, did she? She just took off? What was she thinking?”

“So, will Angie and the kids be coming along? I wouldn’t want her to think I was trying to catch her off guard or something. I really hadn’t planned to stay. But I’m grateful I did,” John said.

“Nonsense! Since you are the dad of my grandchildren, we are related. “No, I don’t think Angie will come with us today,” I said with a sad face.

“Oh, that’s sad to hear. John said, “You shouldn’t be alone on your birthday.”

I grabbed his hand and said, “Well, thanks to you, son, I’m not.” “Thanks, John,” I said in the end.

“No problem. If it’s okay to ask, why didn’t she show up? At least the children. I was expecting them to be here. “John added, “They love being with you.”

“Everyone was supposed to come, but Angie won’t pick up the phone when I call. I really don’t know what happened, but I’m sure she’ll get back to me,” I said.

“I don’t know what she’s doing, but she could at least drop the kids off. John was adamant that he would call her.

John called Angie, and I was surprised that she answered the phone. John told me later why my daughter didn’t show up for my birthday.

So, Angie, her new boyfriend, and the kids are all on vacation, John said in a rather angry tone.

“Vacation? She didn’t tell anyone, did she? She just took off? What was she thinking?” I asked.

“I don’t know, and neither do you, Patty. Why does she take my kids and leave without telling me anything?” John spoke up.

“Oh, no. This is a big let-down. Who is this guy, anyway? “I had no idea Angie had a boyfriend,” I said, completely confused.

“She had mentioned something in passing, but a whole vacation?! It looks like they had been planning it for about a month. “I’m sorry, Patty, but I think your daughter has gone too far this time,” John said in a frustrated voice.

“Yes, this is a letdown,” I said with sadness.

This news really surprised me and hurt my heart a lot. Angie should have at least let me know she wouldn’t be around.

I later talked to Angie, and she said she would bring the kids to see me as soon as possible. She didn’t want to make me upset, but it was too late. I will always love her as my daughter, but I was really hurt by what she did.

I’m glad John was there to take away some of the pain. But I was very hurt by what my daughter did. I’m not sure if I can trust her anymore. What do you think I should do?