He stepped forward, trying to block the man from the guests’ view.

“Who invited you?” Father asked, his voice low and tight.

The man did not answer Father.

He looked at me, then at the wooden box in my hands.

“Are you Maya?” he asked.

I nodded, keeping my grip tight on the faded wood.

Chloe let out a sharp, high-pitched laugh that cut through the silence of the backyard.

She shook her head, looking around at our friends standing by the edge of the pool.

“Okay, seriously, what is going on here?” Chloe asked.

She tried to smile, but her lips were trembling.

“Maya, is this some kind of sick birthday prank?” she said, taking a step toward me.

“Did you hire an actor to ruin our party?”

“It is not a prank, Chloe,” I said.

My voice was quiet, but it carried across the still pool water.

Chloe laughed again, louder this time, her eyes darting to our mother.

“Of course it is,” Chloe said, her voice rising.

“You’re just trying to get attention because everyone was looking at my dress.”