Nobodys invited except you announced my sister in the family group chat.
Mum, enough! I cant be driving up to you every week! I have a life of my own!
Emily clutched the phone, feeling a hot knot form in her chest. Her mother had called for the third time that day, with the same plaintive complaints.
Emily, whats going on? Lucy was here yesterday with a tin of biscuits. And you havent called all week!
Mum, I called the day before yesterday! And I bring biscuits too just not every day!
Exactly, not every day. Lucy does it every week. Thats what a daughter is supposed to be.
Emily shut her eyes and counted to ten. The argument was a loop that never ended. Her older sister Lucy had always been Mums favourite, ever since they were kids.
Mum, I have an early shift tomorrow. Can we talk later?
Of course, youre always too busy. Lucy also has work, but she always finds the time.
Emily hung up without a goodbye. She was exhausted, simply tired of the endless comparisons.
The phone buzzed. A new message appeared in the family chat. Emily opened it and saw a lengthy post from Lucy.
Everyone, as you know Mums sixtieth birthday is coming up. Im organising a party at The Rose & Crown. All relatives are invited. Ive booked a table for twenty. Please confirm by Friday.
Below followed a list of aunts, uncles, cousins and even a thirdcousin from Sheffield whom theyd only met once. Emily scrolled to the bottom. Her name was missing.
She read the message again. Was it a mistake? No. Her name was definitely not there.
Emily typed into the chat:
Lucy, am I invited?
The reply came instantly:
Everyones invited except you. Mum decided that.
Emily stared at the screen. The words blurred. She read them again, and again. Was it a joke? Had Lucy just been cruel?
No one else in the chat questioned the omission. Aunt Nancy confirmed shed attend. Cousin Sergey wrote that hed come with his wife. Nobody asked why Emily wasnt on the list.
Emily dialled Mums number. One ring, two rings, three rings. No answer.
She called Lucy.
Hello? Lucys voice was calm, almost indifferent.
Lucy, whats this? Why am I not on the guest list?
I told you. Mum doesnt want you at her party.
Why?
Lucy paused.
She thinks youre a bad daughter, that you dont care about her.
Thats not true! I call, I visit, I help!
Apparently not enough, Lucys tone slipped into a hint of satisfaction. Mum said she doesnt want to see you, and Im backing her up.
Backing her up? Lucy, Im your sister!
Exactly why I know the real you: selfish, only thinking of yourself.
What are you on about?
That youve lived your whole life the way you want. You left town when Mum needed help. You married Victor, even though Mum disapproved. You had only one child, while Mum wanted grandchildren.
Emily could barely believe her ears.
Lucy, are you serious? I went to university! I got a degree! Thats a crime?
You could have studied here. There are good colleges in this town.
That was my chosen field! Victor is a decent man; Mum just never liked it!
Thats exactly it everything is not right. You never listened to Mum, you always did the opposite.
This is my life!
And Mums life too. If she doesnt want you at her birthday, then thats that.
Lucy hung up. Emily stood in her onebedroom flat, unable to process what had just happened. She hadnt been invited to her own mothers party because she was a bad daughter.
She sank onto the sofa, covering her face with her hands. Tears rose, but she held them back. There was no time to cry; she needed to understand what was happening.
She dialled Mum again. This time Mum answered.
Emily, why are you calling? Lucys handling everything, dont worry.
Mum, why wasnt I invited?
Mum was silent, then sighed heavily.
Darling, you know why. You hardly ever call, you hardly ever visit. It hurts me.
Mum, I live three hundred miles away! I cant be there every week!
Lucy lives right here! Shes half an hour away by car!
See? Shes close. You chose to leave.
I didnt choose! My work, my family are here!
Exactly, your family. And Im not part of it.
A wave of helplessness hit Emily.
Mum, this is your sixtieth birthday. How can I not be there?
You should have been a better daughter earlier.
I try to be a good daughter!
Not enough. Lucy tries. Ive decided I want to spend my day with those who love and value me.
I love you!
Then show it, not just with words. Sorry, Emily. Decisions made.
Mum hung up. Emily sat, phone still in her hand, feeling numb.
Victor came home an hour later, saw the reddened eyes, and asked, Emily, whats wrong?
She told him everything. Victor frowned, shook his head.
Thats absurd! How can you not be invited to your own mothers birthday?
Apparently you can.
And Lucy? How could she allow this?
Lucy has always backed Mum. Theyve been a pair since childhood. I was the extra.
Victor sat beside her.
Maybe its a misunderstanding?
No, its a buildup of years.
Emily paced the room.
Ive always felt guilty. I left. I married you against Mums wishes. I had only little Alex, not three grandchildren Mum wanted.
Emily, you had the right to choose.
I did, but every choice has a price.
Victor put an arm around her shoulders.
Maybe its for the best? You wont go, youll save your nerves. Theyll all be there, gossiping about you behind your back. Why attend?
Emily considered that. Perhaps it was better not to go.
The next day she called Aunt Nancy, who had always been warm to her.
Aunt Nancy, hello, its Emily.
Oh, love! How are you?
Did you see the chat about Mums birthday?
Of course, Im ordering a gift.
Did you notice Im not on the list?
Aunt Nancy paused.
I did, dear. It surprised me.
And you didnt say anything?
What could I say? Mum decided. Lucy called me, explained.
What did she say?
She said you rarely call, you dont give Mum attention. Thats why shes upset.
Emily clenched the phone.
I live far away! I cant call every week!
I understand, love. But Lucy is nearby and does a lot for Mum takes her to doctors, brings food, helps around.
So Im a bad daughter just because Im in another city?
No one called you bad. Mum just wants attention. Shes lonely, its hard for her.
She has two daughters! I call, I visit when I can, I send money!
Money isnt the same as attention. She wants us close.
I cant just move back!
Aunt Nancy sighed.
No ones asking that. Just try to understand Mum. Shes sixty, getting older, scared.
And Im not scared? Im angry!
Its understandable. Talk to her calmly. Maybe itll sort out.
Emily hung up, determined to speak calmly, though Mum never listened.
That evening cousin Katie messaged her.
Emily, I saw the guest list youre not on it. True?
Emily replied, Yep. Mum doesnt want me there.
Crazy! Youre her daughter!
Bad daughter, in her eyes.
Should I talk to Aunt Margaret? Maybe shell change her mind?
I dont know, try if you want.
Katie wrote that shed try. Emily didnt hold much hope, but any effort helped.
The next day Katie called.
I spoke to Mum.
And?
Shes firm. She says shes tired of your indifference, that you abandoned her. Lucy backs her up. Theyre both set.
Got it.
Maybe you should call more? Visit more?
Emilys anger flared.
I call three times a week, I visit once a monthandahalf. Thats all I can manage.
Is that not enough?
How much more? Every day? Move in with her?
I dont know. She just feels left out.
I feel guilty for no reason. Enough. Im done apologising.
Emily hung up, hands trembling. Everyone kept saying she called too little, visited too little, gave too little attention. What about her feelings? Her life?
Her son, Alex, eleven, entered the room.
Mum, why are you sad?
Oh, just problems.
What kind?
Emily didnt want to involve Alex, but his worried look made her spill.
Grandma didnt invite me to her birthday.
Alexs eyes widened.
Why not?
She thinks Im a bad daughter.
Thats nonsense! You call, you visit, you send money!
Apparently thats not enough.
Alex sat beside her on the sofa.
Mum, maybe just skip it? If everyones that terrible, why go?
Its my mother, Alex.
If she doesnt respect you, does it matter?
Emily looked at her son. His simple logic was disarming. She couldnt just walk away; it was family, messy but family.
A week passed. Emily replayed the birthday in her head, angry, crying, trying to smile for Victor. He tried to distract her, but the ache lingered.
Lucy posted a reminder in the chat.
Reminder: birthday is next week. Anyone who hasnt confirmed, please do so. Need final headcount.
Emily still wasnt mentioned, as if she didnt exist.
She decided on one last attempt. She drove to her hometown, unannounced, just showing up.
Mum opened the door, surprised.
Emily? What are you doing here?
Mum, may I come in?
Mum let her in grudgingly. The flat looked the same: the old sofa, the faded carpet, family photos on the mantel. Only now a large picture of Lucy with her grandchildren dominated the wall.
Sit down, Mum gestured to the sofa. Tea?
Yes, please.
They sat in the kitchen, sipping tea. Emily searched for a starting point.
Mum, Im here to talk about the birthday.
Mum set her cup down.
No need, Emily. Ive already decided.
But thats wrong! Im your daughter!
Youre the daughter who left me.
I didnt abandon you! I went to study, to work, to build my own life!
Exactly, your own life, not mine.
Emily felt the familiar boil.
Mum, I was twenty when I left. I had the right to shape my own future!
You had a choice. You could have stayed, married a local lad, had more children.
Victor is a good man!
He took you away from me.
Mum waved her hand.
Its all the same. Youre far, Im struggling. Lucys here, shes a good daughter, she looks after me.
I look after you too, in my own way!
Your way isnt enough.
Emily stood.
You know what, Mum? No matter what I do, itll never be enough because Im not Lucy. Because I chose a different path.
The wrong path.
My path! I deserved it!
Mum also stood.
Fine, you had it. Live your life. Ill have my birthday with those who appreciate me.
Alright, Emily grabbed her bag. Then I wont keep imposing myself. Live as you wish.
She left without looking back. Tears ran down her cheeks, but she didnt wipe them away.
In the car she sat in silence, the engine idling as the emptiness pressed in. She had tried to reason, but Mum wouldnt listen.
Maybe that was the answer. Maybe it was time to let go.
Victor met her at the door, concern in his eyes.
How did it go?
Shes stubborn.
Maybe its for the best? You wont have that guilt gnawing at you.
Maybe.
Emily collapsed onto the sofa, closed her eyes. Guilt had been a companion for years, ever since she left her hometown. Mum had cried, called her a traitor, Lucy had looked on with disapproval, and Emily had packed her bags, telling herself she was entitled to a life of her own.
She had been entitled. The price was high.
The birthday arrived. Emily woke heavyhearted. Somewhere, relatives were gathering, setting tables, swapping gifts, congratulating Mum.
She stayed at home, uninvited, unnecessary.
Victor suggested they go out, do something fun. Emily declined. She just wanted to lie down and do nothing.
In the evening the family chat filled with photos: Mum at the table, smiling through forced cheer, Lucy hugging her shoulder, relatives toasting. Emily scrolled through, feeling something snap inside. Everyone was there, except her.
She turned the phone off and went to bed.
The next morning a surprise call came from Aunt Nancy.
Emily, love, how are you?
Fine, Aunt Nancy.
I was at the party yesterday. Your Mum looked a bit sad, smiling through the pain. When everyone started leaving, she broke down.
Emily sat up.
She broke down? Why?
She said you werent there. That her favourite daughter wasnt around.
She didnt invite me, so
I told her youd probably turn up anyway. She thought youd fight your way in. Shes a stubborn old bird.
Emily shook her head.
So she didnt invite me to test me?
Looks that way. Lucy said it was nonsense, that if you werent invited, you shouldnt come. They even argued about it.
And now?
Mum said she regrets it. She wanted things to be better, but it turned out the usual way. Shes sorry.
Emily lay back, exhausted.
Im tired of these games, manipulations, tests.
I get it, dear. But know Mum does miss you, she just cant show it properly.
Then let her learn. I wont play any more.
Aunt Nancy sighed.
Thats wise.
A week later Lucy sent a private message: Mum asks why you dont call.
Emily replied, Why? She doesnt want me.
Dont be a child. She just wants attention.
Got it. Whole birthday without me.
Stop sulking. Call Mum, shes worried.
Let Lucy call. Shes the beloved daughter.
Lucy stopped replying.
A few days after that Mum called.
Emily, why arent you calling?
Because you said youll be with those who value you. Im apparently not one of them.
Dont be upset, love.
Im not upset, Mum. I just live my life, as you wanted.
I didnt want that!
What? That you drop everything and move back? That you visit daily like Lucy?
Mum was silent.
I wanted you to love me.
I love you! But I cant live the way you want!
Why?
Because thats my life! I have a husband, a son, a job! I cant abandon it for you!
Mum started to sob.
So Im not important to you.
Important, yes, but not the only important thing. Thats fine, Mum.
Mum sobbed into the handset. Emily felt a mix of pity and anger.
Mum, Ill keep in touch, call, visit when I can. Not every day, not on demand. If thats not enough, you can ask Lucy.
But youre my daughter!
Exactly. A daughter, not property, not a project.
Mum was quiet.
I didnt mean to hurt you with the party.
But you did.
I thought youd still come, prove you still care.
I didnt.
If you need my attention, just say it. No need for tests. Just say you miss me, and Ill try to come when I can.
When I can, Mum repeated, bitterness in her voice.
Yes, when I can. Thats better than never.
Mum cried again, but Emily didnt give in to the tears.
I have to go. Think about what I said. If youre ready to accept me as I am, call me.
Emily hung up, hands trembling, but calmer than before. She had set her boundaries. The choice now lay with Mum.
Later that night Victor asked, How did the visit go?
We talked. Really.
And?
We decided to build a new relationship, honest, without manipulation.
Will it work?
I dont know. Well try.
Victor hugged her.
Im proud of you. You finally stood up for yourself.
Really?
Absolutely.
Emily nestled into himTogether they looked forward to a future where family ties could heal without anyone having to sacrifice their own life.
