From Different Walks of Life

Birthday Celebrations

"I'm 41.   I hardly think that's anything worth celebrating.  And yes, Kat, I can hear you rolling your eyes."  Damn, he was good, I thought to myself.  It was nearly 4:30 a.m. on February 9, Tom's birthday,  and I had huddled myself into a corner near the gate at DIA for my 5 a.m. flight to L.A. to surprise him.  I was trying my hardest to keep the light chatter of the people around me from coming through the speaker on my phone, afraid it would give me away.  I heard Tom heave a heavy sigh on the other end of the line. 

"Oh,  babe, don't be so negative about it!   It's just a number, and besides," I hushed my voice a little.  "I heard this rumor that you're fucking a younger woman, so that's one goal checked off the list."   I smiled when I heard his 'ehehe' through the receiver.

"You know, that is one rumor that I might have to confirm," He chuckled.  "Guess I'm not too old and wrinkled for her yet."

"God, no."  I said dreamily, closing my eyes and picturing his perfectly sculpted body,  especially the lovely 'v' that led from his waistline straight down . . .I shook my head,biting my lip and sighing.  "So what's on my superstar's agenda this very early morning?" I asked.  After my cold shower, I thought.

"Ah, our editors are nearly done, but the director wasn't happy with a few scenes,  so it's been dubbed reshoot day." Tom said wearily.  "Chris and I are in a couple, and of course there are others all day.   Are you sure we can't FaceTime, love?   I really need to see your face today."  I could hear the pleading in his voice, and I winced.  I hated lying to him, but it would be all for good, right?

"I'm sorry, you know I'm in Casper for work.  I didn't want to bother my roommate, so I'm in the hotel lobby, and I just don't think having your face wide open on my phone in public is the best idea . . ." I rambled on, pulling my phone a little away from my ear to let the chatter from people around me come through the speaker.  I heard him pause, and then sigh.

"Yes, you're right.  Maybe I'll be able to call and talk to you again tonight." Tom sounded hopeful.

"Yeah, the day is just starting, who knows?  I'd better go honey, I love you.  Happy Birthday."  I said, as I saw an airport employee stepping up to the counter to start announcing the flight.   Tom returned my sentiment,  and hung up.   As I checked in, and eventually boarded the plane, I had the chance to think back to the last month since I had returned from the UK.

The pap photos had blown over, for the most part, just as Luke had said they would..  Even my coworkers and family had barely noticed them, which I had been grateful for.  I knew they had upset Tom as well, no matter how well he had taken it when they came out, and causing him any more stress was one of the last things I ever wanted to do.  There had been a few comments at work, of course, but for the most part, to their credit, my coworkers just let it pass.  If they had been talking about the photos at work,  they did it when I wasn't around. 

I looked out the plane window as it was announced we had reached cruising altitude and sighed.  I thought back to the number of times I had flown prior to the past few months, and chuckled to myself.  Who would have considered I would be flying across the country every couple of months, just for a guy??  Hey, he was it.   I pulled my phone out of my bag,  and quickly entered my passcode, which brough up my Lock Screen.  It was one fo the first photos Tom and I had taken together on the boat in. Hawaii -  I remembered it well.  We had been standing on the deck, and he had stepped up behind me, easily reaching over my shoulders to take the selfie..  We were both laughing, and I was leaning back into his chest, nearly knocking him over before he could take the shot.

"Oh,  damn, now there's a hottie," I jumped when my seat mate commented next to me,  and gently pointed at the photo on my screen.  "That's Tom Hiddleston, right?" I eyed her suspiciously before nodding slowly.