They Gave Me a Burial Shroud for My Birthday

On the morning of her sixtieth birthday, a mother receives a gift box from her daughter-in-law, Celeste Fox. When she gently suggests the expensive present should go to Celeste's own mother instead, Celeste slaps her, and a burial shroud spills out of the box. Her husband Walter Abbott kicks it away, but the insult has already landed.

Their son Curtis Lambert arrives late and dodges every question, making clear he knew about the gift all along. Celeste accuses the couple of favoring their daughter, Gabriella, who never appears, while Curtis and Celeste have lived off the parents' pension for years. Walter rages that they should have raised a slab of barbecue instead, and warns that he and his wife will not be counting on anyone in their old age.

As the fight over money, property and old age escalates, the parents decide to reveal the secret they have buried for years and end their son's fantasy of being wronged.