A Very Unhappy Birthday
The streamers drooped from the ceiling, their once curly shapes now hanging to the floor. The balloons that had been filled to the max with helium were now deflated. Snacks were still laid out the table: pretzels, pizza rolls, mini egg rolls, chips, jelly beans, and a bunch of other necessary junk food. A decadent chocolate cake with pink icing was situated in the middle of the table. Eleven wax candles were stuck in the cake. But the wax had already melted, and the air still smelled vaguely of candles that had gone out long ago. The plates were set in front of each white chair, each a plastic one with fireworks on it. Next to them were yellow napkins folded neatly and plastic silverware.
Jen looked down at her own plate sadly. She sighed and looked over at the large pile of presents on the couch. They were wrapped in beautiful patterns and tied with luxurious bows. They had intrigued Jen’s interest when she had left for school this morning. Now she just wished that they weren’t there. Jen leaned forward and grabbed a handful of chips.
A scent of expensive perfume filled the room. Jen felt her mother sit down on the carpet next to her. Her mother put her large mug of tea on the table with a dull thud.
“They didn’t come,” Jen whispered. “My friends didn’t come.”
Her mother gave a wan smile. “Don’t be sad, honey. I’m sure they just forgot.”
“All fourteen of them?” Jen said. She looked into her mom’s eyes. “No, mom, they didn’t want to come.” Jen picked up her mother’s cup of tea and took a long sip.
“They could have told me or something,” Jen added ruefully. “They all seemed so excited at school today. All of them acted so happy.”
Jen’s mother wiped away a tear that Jen hadn’t known was there. “I am really sorry, Jen. I didn’t think your birthday would turn out this way.” She put her cool hand on Jen’s. “How about I go call your dad, okay? Maybe he can leave work early and we’ll all go out to dinner.”
Jen nodded. She knew her mom was trying. But nothing would make this better. Not the presents, not the dinner, nothing.
