Good morning, Happy Hump Day and Happy St Patrick's Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.
Chan's birthday has arrived, and he is both excited and apprehensive. This is the first one since the death of his parents. He doesn't know what to expect from Evan and the kids. See what's going on in this week's chapter of Super Trooper. And then visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!
Chan wasn’t sure what to expect on this, his first
birthday since the death of his parents. Normally his mother made a special
meal and fussed over him to his heart’s content. Obviously that wasn’t going to
happen. No amount of wishing would bring them back. He wasn’t sure how much he wanted to
celebrate. On the one hand, it was his birthday. On the other, he almost felt
guilty celebrating the occasion without them.
When he woke that morning, he decided he would
simply allow his family to present their well wishes and bask in their love and
understand. Undoubtedly they had something planned for him. He just had no idea
what that might, and looked forward to finding out.
He had half expected that Evan would take a day off
from work for the occasion. The night before, as they lay in bed, when he’d
suggested doing that himself, Evan had glanced up from the book in his lap and
asked, “Why? Do you feel ill?”
A startled Chan stammered he felt fine and rolled
over. And that was that.
Maybe they were waiting for morning to arrive first.
Maybe Evan was just playing with him. He consoled himself with that thought
before falling asleep.
His idea was quickly dispelled the next day when he
woke to find Evan up and dressed. Laksha and Kamal had finished their breakfast,
and Laksha had already fed and dressed Madhu. The children bade a hurried
good-bye as they rushed out the door as if they were going to a fire. Chan
frowned at their retreating backs. Really? Not even a single birthday wish?
Didn’t he merit that much?
As they were leaving, they let Denise in. “I thought I would take Madhu to the park, it’s
so nice,” she explained at the sight of Chan still in his sleep clothes. “Sorry,
didn’t mean to disturb you.”
“No problem,” Chan assured her.
As he watched, Evan finished his cup of coffee,
rinsed it and set it into the dishwasher.
“Well, I’m outta here. I’ll see you later.” He
kissed Chan on the cheek. “Your breakfast is on the table.” He flew out the
door without another word, which only added to Chan’s growing perturbation.
Didn’t anyone care enough to remember his birthday?
Denise picked up Madhu and her wolf, and selected a
few toys, which she threw into a bag. “See you later, Chan,” she said as she
exited the house. Madhu waved at him over Denise’s shoulder. That was
something, anyway.
Chan took a quick glance at the food on the table
and decided he didn’t want to eat. He picked up the plate. Tempted to throw it
away, his frugality overcame his anger, and he put it into the refrigerator. Someone
would surely want it later. He’d get something at work. In fact, maybe they
would bring in doughnuts or something, in honor of his birthday.
Assuming anyone knew it was his birthday.
Chan grumpily stalked into his bedroom and dressed.
Catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror only caused him to frown more
deeply.
Get
over yourself. It’s just a birthday. You are a grown man.
If only it was that easy.
The sound of the front door opening drew Chan from
his funk. Who the hell could that be? Maybe Evan came back because he
remembered what today was? He hurried into the living to find Evan there. Chan’s
heart beat faster at the sight of him.
“Sorry, I forgot…”
Yes,
yes, yes….
“I have some dry cleaning that’s ready to pick up.
Do you mind getting it on your way home?”
Chan nodded mutely.
“Love you,” Evan added with another kiss on the
cheek. This time he really left. Chan watched his car pull up the street, out
of sight.
Happy
birthday to me.
to be continued
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