HIS SON SERVED HIM DOG FOOD AT SEVENTY—THEN EVERY CARD IN THE HOUSE STOPPED WORKING
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Chapter 22 / 35
Chapter 22 - THE BIRTHDAY CAKE
After everyone left, the cake remained untouched.
The candles had burned down into the frosting.
Evelyn stayed.
She cleaned confetti from the floor.
Ernest picked up the dog food one piece at a time.
His sister told him to leave it.
He said:
“I want the room to look like mine again.”
They sat at the table after midnight.
Evelyn cut two slices of cake.
No singing.
No guests.
No camera.
She raised her fork.
May you like
“Happy birthday, little brother.”
Ernest smiled for the first time that night.
