I Sat Down at the Wrong Birthday Dinner I arrived late to a birthday dinner at a packed restaurant and spotted a cheerful group near the entrance. Someone at the table smiled at me, so I assumed they were my friends. I sat down, apologized dramatically for being late, and immediately joined the conversation. They passed me a menu, asked what I wanted to drink, and even moved a chair to make room for me. I kept nodding along while desperately trying to remember how I knew any of these people. After nearly ten minutes, one woman asked, “So, how do you know Sarah?” I said, “Who’s Sarah?” At that exact moment, my phone buzzed. My actual friend had written: “We can see you. Why are you having dinner with those strangers?” My real group was sitting on the opposite side of the restaurant, watching the entire thing. I stood up and announced, “Apparently, I’m at the wrong birthday.” The strangers laughed and wished me luck. My friends applauded as I crossed the room.