My partner’s birthday

[walking on broken glass]

It's my partner's birthday today. While my dad was alive, they would video call us to sing happy birthday to him. I wonder what my mum will opt to do now. I sincerely hope she won't call. I can't stand the farce and the fakeness. I have even been contemplating saying to her 'why are you calling to wish happy birthday? You told me he is evil and manipulative, who is after the family fortune. We don't accept your happy birthday'. I know it's pointless and that since I continue to be in touch with her our interactions are bound to be fake. But it turns my stomach having to pretend we all get along. My partner hasn't spoken to my mum since the last time we saw her in person. He asked me if I thought he should say hi to her when I call her and I said absolutely not. I never mention him in the phone calls to my mum either. The way I see it is I phone to check on her health and that's it. So if she decides to pretend we are a family today, it will be incredibly challenging for me to play along. Should I?

[Liketheducks]

Should you?   I hope you and your partner can do something fun to celebrate his day.   Maybe she'll forget the birthday?   

What is the worst case scenario, if you don't pretend you are a family today?   If she calls, can you just not answer?   

I'm sorry.

[walking on broken glass]

I guess if I don't play along, she will not understand my frustration and will be offended. I am pretty sure she won't acknowledge she had said horrible things. Or she won't see a contradiction. But I don't think she will call.

We went for a nice lunch and walk in the countryside and I will now make a Victoria sponge cake (his favourite!). I hope the rest is the day stays peaceful.