Chapter 2 - The Venue's Call
The notification light on my phone flashed red at exactly 9:15 AM.
An incoming call from The Cypress Room – Events Office.
I stared at the screen, letting it ring twice. Beside me, Sophia was meticulously packing her laptop into her school backpack, her shoulders still curved forward with that defeated, heavy posture I had grown to hate. She didn't look up when the phone buzzed. She had learned too early that adults usually brought bad news.
I swiped to answer, my voice steady.
“Diana Reyes speaking.”
“Good morning, Ms. Reyes,” a crisp, professional voice replied. It was Veronica, the event director at the Cypress Room. “I’m calling regarding the upcoming sweet sixteen celebration for Harper Vance this coming weekend. We received a call this morning from a woman identifying herself as Melissa Vance, stating she needed to update the primary contact details and make changes to the seating chart.”
I leaned against the kitchen island. “And did you make those changes, Veronica?”
There was a brief hesitation on the line. “Well, no. Our system lists you as the sole contract holder and primary financial guarantor. However, Ms. Vance was quite insistent. She claimed she was the mother and that you were simply managing the billing account. She mentioned something about adjusting the catering menu and adding twelve more VIP guests.”
A cold, sharp anger flared in my chest, but my voice remained ice-cold.
“Melissa Vance is my sister, not the client. She has zero authorization to alter anything on my contract. Furthermore, Veronica, I am calling to exercise the cancellation clause outlined in section 4B of our agreement.”
A sharp intake of breath echoed through the receiver. “Cancellation? Ms. Reyes, the event is in five days. The cancellation window—per your contract—allows a full waiver of penalties if executed before November 1st, which is today. But... are you certain? The deposits already paid are non-refundable, totaling eight thousand five hundred dollars, and— expel me if I'm overstepping—everything is already booked.”
“I am completely certain,” I said clearly, looking straight at Sophia, who had paused, her eyes wide with shock. “Cancel the venue. Cancel the DJ. Cancel the cake order with Sweet Layers Bakery. Send the formal cancellation confirmation to my email within the hour.”
“Understood, Ms. Reyes. I will process the cancellation immediately.”
I hung up. The kitchen fell into a heavy, profound silence.
May you like
Sophia walked over slowly, her fingers trembling slightly as she touched my sleeve. “Mom... did you just cancel Harper’s entire party? Won’t Grandma and Aunt Melissa... won’t they lose their minds?”
“They will,” I said, pulling her into a tight, fierce hug, pressing my face into her hair. “Let them. For too long, we’ve swallowed our disappointment so they could swallow our comfort. No more, sweet girl. No more.”
