Denial is the Way

Today, March 25th is another birthday. George, the fourth oldest of the family, is turning thirty-three. 

 

The whole family arrives at George's house as he only wanted his birthday party to be with family. Ender was helping George's wife, Beatrice, make the cake. 

 

Everyone was outside, enjoying the party as Ender and Beatrice were in the kitchen making a brand-new cake because the people Beatrice ordered from messed up the order. 

 

Beatrice sighed as she watched the batter cooking, "I swear, every time I want things to go perfect, something bad always happens." 

 

Ender wanted to pat her back to comfort her, but his hands had stuff all over them, so he patted the air instead. "It is okay. We will still have a cake ready for him, so don't worry. Did you get your refund back, though?" 

 

She touched her face, not caring about the batter on her fingers, "I am trying, but I guess they are busy today because no one is answering. I should go to the shop instead, but I don't want to leave the party." 

 

"If they cause you any problems, bring Kay with you. The shop is set up in one of her territories, correct?" 

 

"Yeah. I did not want to involve the family and tried to do it on my own, but maybe I should have brought Kay so that they could have had it right the first time."

 

Ender hummed, walking over to the frosting to prepare it for when the batter finishes cooking. "I can understand wanting to do some things on your own. But sometimes, putting it out there that you are a part of the Long family helps things move ten times more efficiently.  

 

Beatrice nodded her head, "That is true." 

 

Ender's mother walked into the kitchen, seeing the dirty dishes and the bit of mess on Ender and Beatrice. "Oh my, what happened?" 

 

Beatrice blushed a bit, feeling shy and embarrassed about how she had to make a new cake for George. "The cake shop messed up the order, so, with Ender's help, we are making a new cake."

 

The mother clicked her tongue at the cake shop, "A shame. I hope you are getting a refund and the name of the person who took the order." 

 

"I am, ma'am." 

 

"Beatrice, you have been with George for ten years now; call me mom." 

 

Beatrice rubbed the back of her neck, adding more of a mess to her, "Ah, sorry, mother." 

 

The mother hummed, "That is better." 

 

Ender did not mind acting invisible so that they could have their conversation. His feet did ache, and he wanted to sit, but at the same time, he wished to help Beatrice out. 

 

When the cake first came, Ender saw that Beatrice looked frustrated and was close to a breakdown. Honestly, she has been more emotional lately, making Ender wonder if something is going on. 

 

But, he wanted her to stay in a good mood for the birthday, so he told her they could make a new cake together.

 

Nevan was with them at first, but Ender told him to mingle outside while he stayed with Beatrice in the kitchen. 

 

His mother looked at him, "En, do you want to sit? I can take over." 

 

"Mom, it is fine; I can do it." 

 

His mother shook her head, walking over as she grabbed the frosting from his hand. "Both of you should clean up and go outside. I will make the cake. Go mingle, and I am not asking." 

 

"Yes, mom." 

 

"Yes, mother." 

 

Beatrice and Ender walked out of the kitchen, going to separate bathrooms to clean themselves. Once they finished, they went outside. Beatrice joined her husband while Ender walked over to Kay, Liam, and Nevan. 

 

Every time the family comes together, he swears, Liam, Kay, and Nevan are always together, which Ender could not understand. 

 

Liam and Nevan love insulting each other, going back and forward, while Kay enjoys testing/teasing them both. 

 

Once Ender was close to them, Nevan wrapped his arm around his waist, "Did you finish?" 

 

Ender shook his head, "No, mom took over, though." 

 

"Took over what?" Kay asked, entering the conversation. 

 

"A cake shop in one of your territories messed up Beatrice's order for George, so we had to make the cake ourselves." 

 

"Which shop?" 

 

"Cake La’Crown." 

 

Kay sighed, pulling out her phone to text someone, "I have heard some complaints about Cake La’Crown. I cannot have a business bring negative reviews into my territory. I am kicking them out." 

 

"Can you wait to do it? Beatrice needs to get her refund first." Ender asked.

 

Kay nodded, sending a text message before putting her phone away. 

 

"I know a business that can take over the spot." Nevan and Liam simultaneously said. They glanced at each other, narrowing their eyes as they both wanted to take over the spot quickly. 

 

Having a business in one of Kay's territories is the easiest and fastest way to build clients while gaining money. Plus, the places are instantly protected. No one wants to create problems or steal in Kay's territories. 

 

Kay smirked at both of them while Ender sighed. He moved out of Nevan's hold, sitting in the chair behind Nevan. He knew this conversation was going to take a while. 

 

"Well, well," Kay began, "you two have three minutes to pitch me the business. May the most interesting one win." 

 

Liam started first as Ender began to block the conversation out. While he blocked them out, he saw Nan walking over to him, dragging his father with him. 

 

Ender smiled once Nan was near. "Hey, Nan." 

 

Nan broadly smiled, showing that he is missing a tooth, "Uncle En, NanNan wead a big book yestewday." 

 

"Oh, you did? Good job!" Ender praised Nan. 

 

Yan picked up his son, sitting in a chair next to Ender as he put Nan in his lap. "He is a smart boy; I see he is going to be at the top of his class on reading when he starts school," Yan said. 

 

Nan kept smiling, although he looked a bit shy at his dad's praise. "Thank you," Nan muttered. 

 

Ender patted Nan's head, "I want to hear Nan read too." 

 

"You can, later on," Yan answered. 

 

Before they could continue with the conversation, the mother entered the area with a finished cake in her hand. 

 

"Everyone," She grabbed the whole family's attention, "it is time to sing happy birthday to the birthday boy." 

 

She set the cake on a round table in the front, pulling out two candles with threes on them. The mother put them in then picked up a lighter to light them. 

 

"George, come on up." She called. 

 

George walked over, standing next to his mother as the rest of the family moved closer. 

 

"Happy birthday to you," everyone started to sing.