Page 103 of Finding Us

“When do they head back to Connecticut?”

“I’m not sure. They took the private jet so I guess they can leave whenever they want.”

“Then let’s have the party after they go to Disney. It’ll give us time to plan stuff.”

“You could have it at my house,” Grace says. “That way Pearce and Lilly could stay there instead of a hotel. We could have the party in the back by the flower gardens.”

“Yes! That’s a great idea!” Harper’s so excited you’d think the party was for her.

“We’d have to okay it with Pearce.” I look back and see him still talking to Frank. They’re both laughing so they must be getting along. “I’ll have Garret ask him.”

Later that afternoon, I tell Garret about the party. He talks to his dad and Pearce actually agrees to it. So I guess we’re having a party for Lilly. Maybe when she finds out she won’t be so sad about us not being there for her actual birthday.

Garret and I decide to tell her the news after dinner. We take her inside while everyone else hangs out around the bonfire we made out on the beach.

Lilly sits on Garret’s lap. “Let’s go outside. I want to roast marshmallows again.”

“We will, but Jade and I want to tell you something first.” He looks at me, then back at Lilly. “We’re having a birthday party for you out here in California. We’re having it next Friday at Grace’s house. What do you think?”

“Why would we have a party? My birthday’s not next week.”

“Yes, but Jade and I can’t make it to your party back at home so we’re having one here instead.”

Lilly doesn’t seem happy about it. In fact, she seems really sad and hurt. I can already tell, this isn’t going to go well.

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

“Won’t that be fun,Lilly? You’ll get two parties.” I try to express my enthusiasm, hoping it will rub off on her.

She keeps her eyes on Garret, looking at him like he just told her the saddest thing in the world. “You won’t be home for my birthday?”

“No, but we’ll celebrate here instead.”

“You’re always at my birthday. We have breakfast, then we watch cartoons, then we have lunch and swim in the pool, and then grandma and grandpa come over for dinner and we have my party.”

Hearing her describe it, it sounds like Garret had some kind of birthday tradition going with her, which makes sense because he loves making traditions. But it makes this even harder because now she expects something she can’t have. She’s probably been looking forward to this for months.

“You can still do all those things,” he tells her. “Just do them with Dad.”

“It’s not the same.” Tears run down her face but they’re silent tears and she’s trying really hard to stop them, biting her lip and taking some shaky breaths. Garret says Katherine doesn’t allow crying, so Lilly’s learned not to.

“It’s okay, Lilly.” Garret looks directly at her, his hand smoothing her long blond hair. “If you’re sad, you can cry.”

She shakes her head, then rests it on his shoulder and latches onto him like she did earlier.

“Why won’t you come to my birthday?” she asks quietly. “Don’t you like me anymore?”

“Of course I like you.” Garret rubs her back. “You’re my little sister. I love you. You know that.”

“Then why won’t you be there?” I watch the tears slowly stream down her face onto Garret’s shirt. “Did I do something to make you mad at me?”

“No, it’s nothing like that. I just can’t make it this year.”

“It won’t be the same,” she says softly, sniffling a little. “I need you there.”

This is way too sad. I didn’t think she’d be this upset. I thought the party we were having for her would make her feel better. I look at Garret and he mouths the words “get my dad.” I go outside and find Pearce by the back door, talking on the phone.

He sees me and ends the call. “How’d it go?”

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