Short stories

Why getting old

With a slow movement of the hand, she wiped the fog on the bathroom's mirror. She heaved a deep sigh as she saw her reflection there. A very happy birthday, oldie. She sighed again, touching the dark circles under her eyes. She wanted to cry all day. She now had to face the facts: she really seemed to have her age. Her fifty years old were visible all over her body. Her daughter began to frantically hit the door, claiming that it was too long.

"Just a minute!"

"Bobby's supposed to pick me up soon and I'm not ready yet!"

Sighing again, she put on her bathrobe and walked out of the room. Her daughter rushed in quickly before someone else took her place. Her stepfather asked her to hurry so as not to be late for school before turning his eyes towards his wife.

"Is something wrong?"

She looked up at him, tired.

"I... I can't believe that it's today," she sighed.

"Come on! This is not the end of the world. You're not the first to reach fifty."

"Don't try that with me, please."

"I'm just trying to make you understand that life goes on. It's your birthday. I think you're beautiful and you make me happy. And you?"

Without answering him, she slowly dressed before settling in front of her mirror for her hair and makeup. Her daughter ran around the house to finish preparing for school. A quick horn blow told her that Bobby had arrived. She ran down the stairs without saying anything to her mother. Not even a simple happy birthday, dear mother. Then it was her turn to leave for work. She got into the car while Mark settled behind the wheel.

"Don't think about it," he said, patting her knee.

"It's very easy to say for a guy who celebrated his thirty-sic birthday a few weeks ago. I'm old!"

"Of course not! You look great! I have an idea: we'll lunch at your favorite restaurant and we'll take our time. What do you say? My bosses can survive without me for a few minutes. It's a special day. You only have to go down to join me in my office at noon. Okay?"

She smiled and nodded. He's so nice... She was so far from regretting her ex-husband. She quickly went to her office, where a pile of urgent cases were waiting. She sank into her chair and began rummaging through different folders while her computer was opening. Her secretary brought her a coffee and she began to work. Hundred percent focused on her files, she barely looked away from her computer screen when her phone rang. I thought I told her no call. Why transferring me a line? Massaging her neck, she cleared her throat.

"Helen Simon, what can I do for you?"

"Hello Mrs. Simon. I'm Betty Carpenter, the principal of your daughter's school."

"Ah... Hello... How can I help you, Mrs. Carpenter?"

"Is Melissa sick?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"She still hasn't been in class this morning and since it's not the first time this week, I must take further steps with it."

Helen leaned back on her chair with a sigh. She would be happier with her father. Why didn't he want custody? She simply asked her what kind of discipline she'll use on her daughter because it wasn't the first time Melissa didn't show up in class. The principal sighed, making her understand that she couldn't tolerate such conduct on the part of Melissa and the punishment should be exemplary.

"She'll remain in detention after school for a month and come to school on Saturday. She also will be excluded from all extracurricular activities."