Malik received a smaller portion.
Evelyn noticed.
She looked toward his plate.
Then toward the serving dish.
“Would you like some more chicken, sweetheart?”
Malik hesitated.
Vanessa answered.
“He's been snacking all afternoon.”
Evelyn frowned.
“On his birthday?”
Vanessa smiled.
“He'll have cake later.”
Malik kept his eyes on his plate.
During the meal, he barely spoke.
When Adrian called, Vanessa positioned the tablet at the end of the table.
Her husband appeared on the screen, smiling from his hotel room.
“Happy birthday, champ!”
Malik looked up.
A real smile appeared for the first time that evening.
“Thanks, Dad.”
Adrian grinned.
“How's fifteen?”
“Good.”
“Did Vanessa make your favorite dinner?”
Malik hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Yeah.”
Evelyn looked toward him.
For a moment, she considered interrupting.
But Vanessa was smiling.
Zuri was watching.
And Malik looked terrified of becoming the center of a disagreement.
Evelyn decided to speak with Adrian privately.
After the call, Vanessa brought out the cake.
Malik looked toward it.
His expression softened.
Chocolate frosting.
Fifteen candles.
His name written in blue icing.
For a moment, he looked like any other teenager enjoying a birthday.
Then Vanessa reminded him that he hadn't completed one of his chores.
The trash bins were still beside the garage.
Malik stared.
“I was going to do it after dinner.”
Vanessa folded her arms.
“I asked you to do it before.”
He looked toward the cake.
Then toward her.
“Can I do it after I blow out the candles?”
Her expression hardened.
“Malik, don't argue with me in front of guests.”
Evelyn put down her fork.
“Vanessa, it's his birthday.”
Her daughter-in-law smiled tightly.
“Exactly why I'd like him to show some appreciation.”
Malik immediately stood.
“I'll do it.”
Evelyn looked toward him.
“Sweetheart, sit down.”
He shook his head.
“It's okay, Grandma.”
He hurried toward the garage.
The room became quiet.
Evelyn turned toward Vanessa.
“What was that?”
Vanessa sighed.
“Teenage behavior.”
Evelyn stared.
“He asked to finish his birthday cake before moving the trash.”
“He needs consistency.”
For a moment, Evelyn's expression became firm.
“Consistency doesn't mean humiliating a child.”
Vanessa looked offended.
“I'm not humiliating him.”
The older woman glanced toward the hallway.
Then back at the untouched cake.
For several seconds, she remained quiet.
When Malik returned, Vanessa announced that dessert was finished.
Evelyn stared.
“You haven't even cut the cake.”
Vanessa smiled.
“He can have some tomorrow.”
Malik stood motionless.
For a moment, he looked toward the candles.