HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Chapter 1

Anxiety filled the air as Shawn and Deborah lifted two small suitcases onto their bed. It was early Friday morning and they rushed to stuff clothes in, preparing for their mini-vacation weekend. Shawn smiled while he removed a few t-shirts from his drawer and packed them into one side of his suitcase. Of course, this weekend trip is for his birthday, and packing his birthday outfit he bought a few days before, made him blush a little.

Deborah made a loud sigh as she pulled her phone from her shorts pocket and dialed her friend, Maria.

"Hey, You and David gonna meet us here or near the highway?"

Deborah tucked the phone between her ear and her shoulder and continued to pack the suitcase.

"Shit!" Maria says.

"What?" Deborah froze, waiting for Maria to say something.

"I totally forgot to call you back last night. David and I got called into work for tomorrow. So we can't come with you guys this weekend."

"What? Maria, you know I didn't even invite other people because of the pandemic and restrictions. Jus call in sick or something."

Deborah had a disappointing expression on her face and sighed heavily.

"I'm sorry Debz. I tried requesting the whole weekend but-" Deborah cut her off.

"It's okay Maria. Shawn and I will just spend the time together."

"Alright... Take nuff pictures."

"Yea sure. I'll call you later. Bye." Deborah hangs up, trying to hide the frustration.

She sighed again heavily and looked up at Shawn. The conversation didn't seem to bother him. He was still packing his suitcase. He sat on the edge of the bed and lotioned his feet.

"Well, it's just you and me babe." Deborah smiles at Shawn.

They had already gotten dressed. Because it was really hot outside, Shawn decided to wear a white marina with his light blue jeans pants and Nike black slippers. He stood, admiring himself in the mirror. He had made sure to go to the barber the night before, so his hair was cut in a low fade on the sides. My 6ft 2" dark-skinned chocolate lover, Deborah called him. He always referred to her as his shawdy, since she was only 5ft 5". Light-skinned with dimples that pierced her cheeks, Deborah was all about feeling sexy in whatever she wore. She had relaxed hair but had it up in a ponytail. Because of where their first vacay stop was, she had put on her yellow bikini top and light blue jeans shorts over the bottom, with matching Nike slippers like Shawn's, and she'll never forget her sunglasses. They had recently moved in together, and though they were both in their late 20s, Deborah was always the planner and more mature. Shawn, on the other hand, always told her that he was more adventurous but laid-back.

Shawn grabbed the two packed suitcases and walked out the front door. Deborah ran to the kitchen to pack snacks in her handbag, picked up the house keys from the island in the kitchen, and walked out behind Shawn. She locked the door and grill behind her, handbag and their phones in hand.

Shawn lifts the heavy suitcases into the trunk, looking at Deborah as he puts hers in. He takes out a bottle of water that was already in the trunk, heads to the hood of the car, and opens it. It was a 1990 Ford Mercedes, his red baby, he calls it. His grandfather had gifted it to him for his 18th birthday and has cherished her ever since.

"Really? You know this car gonna leave you a road." Deborah watches Shawn pour water into the car.

He looked up at her while he poured. "Cyah have the car overheating babe, unless you plan fi buy me a new one." He smirked at her.