Maya fights Liam for their mother's final wish after he books a private funeral

>be me, Maya Chen, 29, still raw from losing Mum three weeks ago
>get a text from my brother Liam, 33
>"funeral's booked for Saturday. small service, immediate family only. Mum wanted it that way"
>my stomach drops
>Mum never said that to me
>she told me she wanted a celebration of life, music, dancing, everyone from her book club and the community garden
>I ring Liam
>straight to voicemail
>text him
>no reply
>check the family group chat
>Liam's removed me
>mates, I'm blocked
>spend two days stewing, barely sleeping
>finally call Priya, my best friend
>she's known Mum for years
>Priya says she'll look into it
>next day she shows up at my door with a battered copy of *The Secret Life of Bees*
>Mum's book club pick from last year
>Priya found a handwritten note slipped inside, in Mum's writing
>"Maya: if I go before my time, throw the biggest party. tell Liam to stop being a tight-arse. love you, Mum"
>I cry right there
>that's my mum
>show it to Liam, hoping he'll see reason
>he scoffs
>"you forged that. you're too emotional, you can't be trusted"
>then he drops the bomb
>"if you keep this up, I'll have security escort you out of the service"
>I don't even know what to say
>Priya's stuck in the middle, looking at her shoes
>I take a breath
>fine
>I text every person Mum ever loved
>book the community hall for the same Saturday
>put up a Facebook event: "Celebration of Life for Mum - everyone welcome"
>Liam can have his sad little funeral
>I'll be in the hall down the street with the people who actually knew her
>am I in the wrong here?
>no
>I'm honouring her
>and I'm not backing down