Leylah shares her experience of a challenging dynamic with her boyfriend Todd’s mother, Tammy, who continually calls her by Todd’s ex-girlfriend’s name, Laura. Despite being together for five years, Leylah initially brushes off this slip-up, hoping it’s just a phase as Tammy mourns the loss of her son’s past relationship.
However, over time, Tammy’s misnaming becomes more frequent, frustrating both Leylah and Todd, who tries to correct his mother but to no avail.
The situation escalates at Tammy’s 60th birthday party when she jokingly suggests Leylah make the birthday cake, again using Laura’s name. Leylah, feeling slighted, decides to turn the tables during the celebration. When asked about the cake, she feigns confusion, implying that Laura was supposed to make it, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere filled with tension and disbelief.
As chaos ensues, Todd attempts to ease the situation, but Leylah remains firm in her stance, stating she believed Laura was in charge of the cake. The party ultimately devolves into yelling and tears, leading to Leylah and Todd being asked to leave.
An uncle’s joke about the “birthday that Laura forgot” lightens the mood, yet the damage is done.
Todd is furious with Leylah, leaving her feeling uncertain about their future. As they drive home in silence, Leylah reflects on her actions, still believing she did nothing wrong. She questions how she should have responded to the disrespect from Todd’s family and wonders if her relationship can survive this incident. The story illustrates the complexities of navigating relationships with family and the consequences of feeling disrespected.