Here And Now

30. Birthday Party

"Thank you for shopping at Erewhon." The cashier smiles at me as she hands me the receipt and my stuff.

The receipt is 30 feet long while the stuff I brought is just a teddy.

A teddy bear for 50 fucking dollars?

Some rich people crap.

I smile at the cashier. Of course she has a cheery look on her face that other store employees lack because, duh, she's working at Erewhon.

She's getting paid twice of what the other stores pay.

But I can't complain. It's my baby's birthday and the only thing she wanted was a teddy bear that her friend Farah at school had.

When I called Farah's mom, who owns a chain of laundromats around Philly, she told me they had gotten it from here.

So that's where I am now.

As I walk out in the parking lot a familiar Range Rover comes into sight. My heartbeat quickly rises but just as quickly disappointment settles in as an unfamiliar woman climbs out of the car and enters the store.

What was I thinking? Of course it's not him. Why would he be here at a  store 50 minutes out of town on a Thursday afternoon.

It's been two months since the day that Weston signed the papers and the day that I broke it off with Jackson. I can't say these two months have been easy for me but they have been a significant help for my kids.

I have continued visiting Doctor Karev with Kayla. She has gotten better and more comfortable with her new life now.

Mattie has moved in with Oliver but I am still staying at his house till the lease expires.

Today is going to be a challenge though.

It's Kayla's 5th birthday. Naturally, she wants all of her family together for her big day. Dr. Karev said it was to be expected, though kids may seem to have accepted their parent's separation but they were still going to try and trick them into getting back together.

It hurts me to crush her hopes. But there is never getting back together written in the cards for me and her father.

I wish though that with his parents and Mattie being there he won't try anything.

Half an hour later when I walk through the door of my temporary home, every wall is filled with white, pink and blue balloons.

There are large pastel pink balloons that spell out 'Happy Birthday' on another wall and the house is filled with loud voices.

A tiny woman with mousy brown hair enters the loving room and I ground to a halt.

"Oh, hi April."

"Hi, Mrs. Bisley." I awkwardly wave back at Weston's mom.

Mattie pops his head in the living room to give me an apologetic look.

Damn it, he was supposed to text me when they got here.

When Kayla said she wanted her whole family for the celebration she meant WHOLE.

"Oh, sweetie don't call me that. Just because my son was a stupid arsehole and got himself divorced doesn't mean things have to change between us."

They all say that. And I get the sentiment, I really really do, but it really isn't the same though is it?

"Well, um, sure Connie." I call her by her first name.

"Now come let me help you with those." She rushes forward to get the bag out if my hands.

"Trent!" She hollers as she walks past me to put them on the kitchen counter. "Get your lazy arse in here and help me setup the cake and final touches."