Mr.Cater's Maid

Happy Birthday, Kid!

I finally had a day off this Sunday, and a good thing too, because today was my birthday! I had no plans but to get dinner with Avi, which I was excited about. She had texted right after I had gotten back from the tailor to keep tomorrow free. She inadvertently also reminded me that my birthday was, in fact, tomorrow. Not because I didn't remember the date, I knew my birthday was the 12th, but because I struggled to remember today's date most days.

I had woken up at noon and discovered my mother missing. She had texted, informing me she would be extremely busy today. Since the engagement, the Geller's and Carter's were having their first dinner together. It was going to be held at the Carter's mansion, and my mother, as always, was overseeing the coordination. Before she had left (most likely at 5 in the morning), she had baked me a cake and left it on our kitchen counter, next to a card which I opened first, it read "You are one year old, but also one year wiser." The card was almost bare besides the fluffy words of the card company. However, my mother had a few significant contributions. A $500 check was taped to the left side, and the instructions for it read "For school," written in dark red ink underneath the check on the card. This, along with the fact that I was going to see Avi later, put me in such a good mood. Of course, yesterday's events reared their ugly head once in a while, but not everything can be perfect.

I made some coffee, cut the cake, dark chocolate with strawberry frosting, and plopped two big pieces on two plates, one for my dad, who was drinking tea and reading in the living room, and one for me.

"Happy Birthday, beta," He said as I handed him his cake.

"Thanks, Daddy!" I replied.

"What's the plan for today, Birthday girl!" He asked.

"Dinner with Avi."

"Good, good, enjoy." Then he reached into his shirt pocket and took out an envelope. "For the dinner," he said, handing it to me.

"Daddy, you both gave me enough money. I can at least afford dinner now, you know!" I said but took the envelope anyway. He gave me a playful smile as I did. I opened it, and inside it, I found a crisp 50-dollar note. "Thanks!" I said, hugging him.

"Oh, you welcome, my Diya. I am so lucky to have you as a daughter." He said, his voice cracking.

"I am luckier!" My voice was also cracking.

We enjoyed our cake and coffee/tea as we talked about work. I had gotten to know all my Father's coworkers in the brief time I worked there, so we spent most of the hour talking about Gail from accounting, whose ex-husband had shown up yesterday and sat at the company's lobby, waiting for her.

"They had to call the cops to escort him out. I tell you, he is a crazy man." My Father laughed.

"I remember Gail telling me he had picked their kids up from school once without informing her. She almost called the cops on him. I think he is mental." I added.

We had to end our gossip when my Father realized what time it was, "Okay, you enjoy your day." He said in his farewell.

I finished my cake, did the dishes, and wasted the rest of the day on my phone, trying not to think or do anything. I let my aching body, mind, and heart rest, but it didn't last long. First, Adam's "Happy Birthday kid" text left me searching for ways to handle this interaction. I debated back and forth on whether I should answer him. I decided not, but the thought of him lingered in my mind. It took me back to our conversation when he told me he remembered when my birthday was. The next thing was worse. About an hour after his text, I was mindlessly staring at my Instagram, not taking anything in, when the doorbell interrupted me. I groaned but got up to attend to it.