Layer Cake of lamentations

It was a stark reminder that things do not always go according to plan.

We had everything ready, the party poppers, the party hats, the banner, the Champaign. But when Ursula came in the door, as we were about to jump for the surprise we realized Ursula's eyes where swollen from crying and tears still poured down her face.

“Surpriiii… are you OK?” Our exclamation turned to a concerned question. Ursula collapsed at the table, head on her arms, sobbing. Someone got her a glass of water. Someone else put a tissue box in front of her. I rubbed her back. After a few minutes, I said “so… we have cake?”