Since my phone broke, I hadn't been in contact with Matt, so I was surprised he still remembered me.

Every year, I attended Jennifer's birthday, either cooking or serving, to the point that I had forgotten my own birthday.

The only birthday celebration I ever had was when my grandmother was alive, and she made me a small birthday cake.

"Serena died in the fire; we were all heartbroken over her loss. But today is Jennifer's birthday, so let's not dwell on sad memories."

Tears welled in my mother's eyes as Jennifer handed her a handkerchief to dry her tears.

I had never realized how quickly my mother, who had...