Lily glanced nervously at her grandmother.
“Is Grandma going to be mad?”
Hannah knelt.
“You don’t have to worry about Grandma’s feelings right now. Today is about you.”
Lily’s eyes filled with tears again.
She nodded.
Hannah lit the candles.
The children began singing.
At first, Lily looked uncertain. Then her friends joined in louder, clapping their hands and smiling at her.
By the final verse, Lily was smiling too.
She closed her eyes and blew out the candles.
Everyone cheered.
Hannah cut the first slice and placed it on a small pink plate.
Lily took a bite.
Her face brightened.
“It’s perfect!”
The other children eagerly asked for slices.
Soon, the table was surrounded by happy voices, frosting-covered fingers, and children comparing the sizes of their pieces.
The cake that Margaret had called embarrassing became the favorite part of the party.
Hannah watched her daughter laughing with her friends and felt a quiet sense of relief.
Then Margaret spoke.
“Children will eat anything if you give it enough sugar.”
The table fell silent.
Lily’s smile faded.
Hannah slowly put down the cake server.
“Margaret, stop.”
Margaret looked genuinely offended.
“What did I say now?”
“You’ve spent the entire afternoon criticizing everything Lily loves. You insulted her decorations, her food, and now her cake. I have asked you to stop, and you continue.”
“I am teaching her standards.”
