Variety mattered.
I placed forks beside them.
The electric kettle sat in the center.
I hung the birthday banner on the wall.
It leaned slightly to the right.
I left it that way.
Then I placed a small grocery-store cupcake at Rosalind’s seat.
One candle.
Seventy.
Total cost of the cupcake had been included in my budget.
At ten fifty-five, Aunt Lorraine arrived first.
She was Brandon’s father’s sister.
She stepped into the room.
Then stopped.
Her eyes moved across the ramen.
Then to me.
Then back to the ramen.
“Gwen?”
“Hi, Lorraine.”
“Is this the right room?”
“Yes.”
She stared again.
“Is catering coming?”
“No.”
Her eyebrows lifted.
Before she could ask more, another family arrived.
Then another.
Within ten minutes, the room began filling.
People smiled uncertainly.
Whispers started.
“Is this a joke?”
“Where is the food?”
“Maybe this is an appetizer.”
“Why are there ramen cups?”
Then Rosalind arrived.
She wore a lavender dress.
Fresh salon styling.
Pearl earrings.
Perfect makeup.
She walked upstairs with Heather beside her.
They were followed by three couples.
Rosalind was smiling until she reached the door.
Then she stopped.
Completely.
Her eyes moved from the paper banner.
To the folding chairs.
To the plastic forks.
Then to the thirty cups of instant noodles.
Her face changed color.
“What does this mean?”
I smiled politely.
“Happy birthday.”
She stared at me.
“Where is the caterer?”
“There isn’t one.”
“The cake?”
I pointed to the cupcake.
Her mouth opened.
Heather looked horrified.
“Gwen.”
“What is wrong with you?”
I reached into my bag.
Then pulled out my phone.
“Brandon transferred two hundred dollars for the party.”
Rosalind blinked.
“I spent one hundred ninety-four dollars and twelve cents.”
I held up the receipts.
“I have five dollars and eighty-eight cents left.”
Then I looked at her.
“Would you like me to give it back?”
Silence.
Nobody laughed.
Nobody moved.
Rosalind’s face turned deep red.
Then Brandon appeared behind the last group of guests.
He looked inside.
He froze.
