PART 1 — Four Flowers on a Pink Cake

At 3:18, the pink frosting on Lily’s birthday cake had already been smeared onto the edge of Maya’s dress.

Maya noticed it when she set the tray of lemonade beside the paper plates.

She rubbed the spot with her thumb, then looked toward the cake, where Lily’s name was written in white icing across the top.

“Mommy, look,” Lily said.

“The flowers are crooked.”

“They are supposed to look cheerful,” Maya said, straightening one of the paper flowers behind the cake.

Richard stood beside the table with his cuffs pushed back from his wrists.

He looked at the cake, then at Maya.

“You told the bakery to put four flowers on it.”

“There are four.”

“Three are on the left.”

Maya counted them.

“One is behind the number four.”

Richard looked at her for a second.

“Why do you always have to correct me?”

Maya picked up an empty cup before answering.

“I was only answering you.”