My Teen Son Planned a Surprise for My Wife’s Birthday—Her Reason for Uninviting Him Left Me Stunned

My Teen Son Organized a Big Surprise for My New Wife’s Birthday Party, but She Suddenly Uninvited Him—Her Reason Shocked Me

In an attempt to make my wife feel special, my son organized a stunning surprise party for her birthday. However, she advised him not to attend mere hours before the celebration, and her callous justification made me doubt our marriage in every way.

I never imagined falling in love again.

I thought my world had fallen apart when my first wife died. It was just my kid Joey and me for years. He was a quiet, introspective youngster who concealed his emotions. However, we were able to understand one another.

Then I got to know Anna.

She was vivacious, constantly laughing and talking. Lily, her kid, was noisy, self-assured, and impatient, exactly like her mother. Joey and I were very different from them, but I felt that might be a good thing. Perhaps we might counterbalance one another.

Initially, everything appeared to be OK. We became like a family after Anna and Lily moved in. However, Joey took a while to adapt. He spent more time in his room, remained silent over supper, and hardly spoke when Lily made fun of him.

Anna didn’t get it.

One night, she remarked, “He hardly says a word.” “How can we bond if he won’t even try?”

I remarked, “He’s trying,” “He just needs time.”

Lily moaned. “Why can’t he just act normal?”

“He is normal,” I said shrilly. “He’s just different from you.”

Anna let out a sigh. “Now we are a family. He must be more forthcoming.

I requested patience from them. They said they would. However, they weren’t.

When Joey remained silent on family game nights, Lily would roll her eyes. He wasn’t prepared for the chats that Anna would force upon him. They thought he would change overnight, but Joey didn’t operate that way.

He still desired to fit in.

I was tidying up one evening when Joey entered the kitchen.

“Dad?” He said hesitantly.

I pivoted. “What’s up, buddy?”

He shifted from foot to foot and stammered, “I, um… I planned something for Anna’s birthday,”

I grinned. “Oh yeah?”

He gave a nod. “I am aware that you were only planning to have dinner. She like surprises, though. I invited her friends as well because she often talks to them a lot. as well as her family.

I blinked. “You organized a whole party?”

Joey looked down and shrugged. “Yes. I believed it would bring her joy.

My chest constricted.

“You did all this by yourself?”

“Mostly,” he stated. “I asked Lily what kind of cake Anna likes, but she just said ‘chocolate, obviously’ and walked away.” He paused. “I kept it from Anna. I desired it to be unique.

I touched him on the shoulder. That’s amazing, Joey. She will adore it.

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

As if he had been holding it in, he released a tiny breath. “Is it possible for you to get flowers tomorrow? I’m not sure which ones to purchase.

“Of course,” I replied, giving him a shoulder squeeze. “I’m proud of you, kid.”

Joey smiled at me, a little shyly, then nodded and went back to his room.

My heart was full as I stood there for a long time. Even though he didn’t talk much, my son had planned something incredibly considerate. Even if Anna and Lily didn’t always make him feel welcome, he wanted to let her know that he cared.

I didn’t know what was going to happen next.

The aroma of fresh flowers filled the air as I entered the front door. It was Joey’s surprise. The decorations were prepared. The visitors would be there shortly. I grinned as I imagined Anna’s response—her laughing, her wide-eyed delight, the way she would embrace Joey after realizing how much he cared.

Then her voice came to me.

Cold and sharp.

“You’re not coming to my party, Joey.”

I went cold.

There was a brief period of silence. Then Joey’s voice, a low, tentative one. “Why?”

I moved forward stealthily, avoiding direct view. My chest was thumping with my heart.

Anna sighed briefly, impatiently. “Because you’re an outsider. I don’t want to deal with you sitting there looking uncomfortable. Not in my family’s presence.”

I clenched my fingers around the blooms.

Joey continued, “I—I can talk to people,” in a voice that was hardly audible above a whisper. “I was going to try.”

Anna chuckled as if he had said something absurd. “Please, Joey. You seldom ever speak to us. You believe that in front of a large group of people, you will suddenly become gregarious and charming? I take it that’s what your father was discussing? I heard him.

Joey said, “I’ll do my best,” without hesitation.

When Anna said, “You always say that,” However, it’s never sufficient. Just sit at home, look. It’s not a huge concern.

Not a huge concern.

Anger swelling in my breast, I tightened my jaw. Then she uttered the words that chilled my blood.

“I have no idea why you wish to be there. I’m not your mother.

Quiet.

Then Lily laughed. “Yes, Joey. You’re not truly family, is it?

Joey remained silent. I could see his face lowering, his hands gripped at his sides, his eyes lowered as if he were attempting to blend into thin air.

Something broke inside of me.

I entered the space. “Joey. Lily. Proceed to your rooms.

Every one of them turned to face me. Anna’s face went white. Joey paused, looking first at Anna and then at me. He took a deep breath and turned to go without saying anything. Lily trailed behind, less enthusiastic but astute enough to avoid conflict.

We were alone now.

Anna made an effort to grin. “What is the matter with you? Why are you behaving this way?

I inhaled slowly while holding the flowers so firmly that the stalks almost broke. “Joey planned the entire celebration.”

She opened her mouth a little.

“Everyone was invited. Everything was planned by him. He wanted to express his love and concern for you. He gave you this as a present.

She blinked. “I—I didn’t know.”

“No, you didn’t,” I answered icily. as you never made the effort to get to know him. You didn’t pay attention. He was never given a chance by you.

Flustered, Anna shook her head. “I was just—”

I cut you off, “You were just making sure your night was perfect,” “And you threw away the best part of it.”

Defensively, she crossed her arms. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

I retorted, “But you said it anyway,” back. “My son felt alienated in his own house because of you. And I’m not going to allow that to occur again.”

She scowled. “What the heck? You’re upset with me for being honest? Joey is silent. He is ungainly. He doesn’t fit in, and that’s not my fault.”

I gazed at her, my rage turning into something more abrasive. colder.

I said, “You don’t deserve him,” in a quiet voice.

Anna’s gaze expanded. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

It was the first time she appeared anxious. “Look, let’s simply relax. Later, we may discuss this. An hour from now is the party—”

Saying, “There is no party,” “Not for you. Not in this residence.

She laughed. “You’re not serious.”

I looked her in the eye. “You need to leave.”

Anna’s mouth fell open.

“You don’t get to humiliate my son and stay in this house like nothing happened,” I replied. “Get your belongings packed. You’re finished here.

Anger twisted her face. “You’re dismissing me because of this? over a foolish miscommunication?”

I firmly stated, “This wasn’t a misunderstanding,” “This was you showing me exactly who you are.”

Seeking an argument, she parted her lips and then shut them again. However, nothing more could be said.

In a whisper, she said, “You’re making a huge mistake,”

I didn’t even give her a glance. “No. At last, I’m repairing one.

With a sigh of frustration, she hurried to the bedroom. As she slammed drawers and stuffed everything into a suitcase, I stood there with the flowers still in my hand.

Lily watched from the top of the steps as she emerged again. Anna stopped in the doorway and clutched her luggage handle.

Bitterly, “You’ll regret this,” she murmured.

I didn’t answer. She turned and left the room with a final scowl. There was silence in the house.

Then a quiet voice. “Dad?”

I pivoted. Joey’s face was unreadable as he stood at the foot of the stairs.

He said, “Did I do something wrong?”

My chest hurt. I approached him after placing the flowers on the table.

Gently, “No, buddy,” I said. “You did everything right.”

He drooped his shoulders. “But she—”

“She didn’t deserve your kindness,” I replied. “But that doesn’t mean it was wrong for you to give it.”

His mouth trembled as he swallowed forcefully. I placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. “Joey, I’m very proud of you. Do you hear me?

He nodded slightly. I hugged him tightly, clinging to him a bit longer than normal.

I mumbled, “You and me, kid,” “That’s all we need.”

His tiny fingers gripped the back of my shirt as he nodded against my chest.