eternal flame - s. harrington

Chapter 18: Happy Birthday, Grace

Thanksgiving, 1983.
Also, my seventeenth birthday.

I was supposed to have a party at Abby's house, since the rest of the Smith's had gone to New York, to visit the oldest of the Smith sisters, Mandy, who was a student at NYU.

Instead of my big birthday bash, or even a normal Thanksgiving dinner with my family, I celebrated my seventeenth on bed rest, in the hospital. When Abby called our house phone to confirm the party, my mom had told her that the party was off, because I wanted to be with family.

It hurt not being able to tell my friends what was going on. I wanted to, so badly. I wanted the whole world to know the truth about what my family had been through. But I could never tell anyone.

Mom, Jonathan, Will and my dad came to visit me in the hospital, first thing in the morning. Mom had baked a cake with seventeen candles on it. Unfortunately we were not allowed to light them in the hospital, so I couldn't wish for anything. But that's okay. My family was with me, and Will was safe and sound, what more could I wish for?

Steve walked into my hospital room as we were enjoying the cake.

"Happy birthday, Grace.", he grinned as he entered the room, holding a bunch of balloons in his hand, and a poorly wrapped up present in the other.

"Hi, Steve!", I beamed at my friend. He sat down on the edge of my bed and handed me my present. "Aw, you didn't have to get me anything.", I said as I set my piece of cake aside. "I know.", Steve said.

First I looked at the card, on which he had written a note for me on the backside;

The Amazing Grace
Thanks for making me smart
You're very cool and fun
Only rhyme I can think of is fart
And can't come up with a pun
Happy birthday to my best friend
Because of you, I'll get straight A's
Till' the end

From, Steve

I burst out laughing after I read the poem. "Wow, Edgar Allen Poe would be so jealous.", I said sarcastically.

"Who's that?", Steve frowned. I gasped, "Edgar Allen Poe? The poet? We've read so much of his work in english class!", I scolded him. "Alright. Alright. Open your gift, nerd.", he said.

I scoffed and started unwrapping the present. It was a lunchbox, with the word 'Friends' carved on it.

I looked at the lunchbox and smiled. "Get it?", Steve smirked, "It's like... symbolic.", he said. I burst out laughing again, "It's so corny.", I said and gave Steve a hug, "I love it. Thank you. I'll definitely pack my lunch in this every day."

"Good. That one took me some effort.", Steve smiled, "I carved the letters on it myself, see?", he pointed at the word on the lunchbox. "Well, aren't you handy?", I smirked and he nodded.

Steve stayed until the afternoon. He had two pieces of cake and we talked and talked for hours while listening to music. He told me everything I'd missed out on at school; We lost a basketball game, once again. Abby and Reed broke up, which I would've hoped to hear from Abby herself. Steve was trying his best with Nancy but she seemed distant...

My parents and my brothers had left the room a couple hours prior, they were so bored listening to me and Steve, so they went to the cafeteria.

Steve and I were lying on my hospital bed, listening to Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.

"This is my favorite song. I could listen to it for hours.", I said. "Good to know.", Steve replied and checked his watch. "Oh shit!", he exclaimed, and jumped up from the bed. "What?", I asked. "It's almost five o'clock! My parents and I are supposed to be at my grandparents' house at eight. In Louisville.", he said as he put on his jacket.