Sunday Writing Prompt – 18th October – An Annual Event

Michael’s challenge this week is:

Complete this sentence and select the word to create a context for your story.

It was an Annual Event but was it to celebrate or commiserate over.
It was an Annual Event but was it to celebrate or commiserate over?
In truth,  it was a combination of both depending on your point of view and who you actually were.
Birthday celebrations were important when you were kids, but when you became a parent, yours took a back seat and you concentrated on your own children.  Then suddenly a switch was thrown and you found yourself catering to a parent and celebrating their day.
Mother in Law was difficult. No matter how hard you tried, she would find fault with something, somewhere, somehow and in so doing spoil it for everyone.
It was her 80th, and I was asked to bake a special cake. I made a normal sponge cake but covered it with sugar paste, then made up some yellow and white roses with marzipan and icing, then trimmed it with a big bow. For a first attempt at flowers, I was quite pleased.
Not so her.
‘I prefer red roses,’ she sulked. ‘And it’s a shame they’re not open showing off their petals.’
I gritted my teeth, Hubby held his hands behind his back to stop slapping her, and FIL hung his head in shame at having asked me to make it in the first place.
‘OK. Sorry about that,’ I said taking the cake from her and putting it back in the box.
‘What are you doing?’ she demanded.
‘Well, you’re not happy with it and obviously don’t want it, so I’m taking it home.’
‘But it’s my birthday!’ she pouted.
‘Yes, and Happy Birthday by the way.’
With that, we left, leaving her in shock and FIL smiling.
I had nothing to lose you see. She never liked me because I wouldn’t pander to her whims and silliness.
Two days later they came to our house for Sunday dinner. She didn’t say a critical word and when I asked if anyone would like a piece of cake with their afternoon cup of tea, I got a sheepish  ‘Please.’ I brought it intact to the table and invited her to cut it……………
And yes, I did put it in the box and gave it back to her to take home.