What Would've Happened

Birthday

Angie:

Ring! Ring! Ring!

"Hello?" I asked, picking up my cell phone. I was sitting in the living room, Maria playing with some Barbie dolls, clinking the plastic pieces together.

"Hi honey! Happy birthday!" My mother squealed. I sighed, rolling my eyes. Today was my birthday. May 1st, 1978. "C'mon over! Celebrate your birthday with your family!"

"Ok." I mumbled. It was like Mac hadn't been missing for two years. In fact, the other day when I asked Maria if she missed him, she said she barely remembered his voice. It broke my heart.

"Cheer up, Ang! It's your birthday!" My mom ordered. "Now, get your ass down here and have fun!"

"Ok. See you in a bit." I sighed. Hanging up the phone, I glanced at Maria. "Clean up out here. We're going to Mama and Papa's." I ordered. She nodded, and stood up, grabbing a majority of her dolls. Trusting her to clean up, I went to my room. I opened the closet, rummaging through my different dresses.

Finally, I selected a pretty, light blue one. It had two straps, and went down to my knees. Gems sparkled on the sleeves, and collar. A ribbon was used to tie around my waist.

After getting dressed, I went back into the living room. I found a load of dolls still on the floor, but no Maria. Before I could call for her to clean her mess up, I heard a noise coming from the closet. Behind the couch, the closet door was open. Carefully, I peered into it.

Sitting under some coats, was Maria, with her back to me. She was facing a huge picture of Mac in his army uniform. We were given it when Mac...

"Hi Daddy. I miss you. Yesterday, Mommy asked if I remembered you." She sniffed. "I told her no. I can't remember your voice anymore." I heard a small whimper, and she wiped her eyes. "I miss you so much. I love you, Daddy."

"Daddy loves you too." I murmured, tears starting to bead up in my eyes. Maria turned around, tears running down her face. I kneeled down in front of her, opening my arms. She crawled into them.

"I miss Daddy! I want him home now!" She wailed, burying her face into my shoulder. I rocked her back and forth, rubbing her back.

"I know, baby. Mommy does too." I murmured, tears falling down my cheeks. She sobbed into my shoulder, her small tears running down my shoulder blade onto my dress.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the front door. I got up, and tried letting go of Maria. But she clung to me like glue. I lifted her up, and made my way to the front door, grabbing a Kleenex along the way.

Dabbing my eyes, I opened the front door. Sean was standing there, dressed in a black bowling shirt and jeans. He's been helping me deal with Mac being gone. He was holding a box, wrapped in bright pink paper. When he saw tears on my face, his smile faded.

"You ok Angie?" He asked, concerned. Maria turned to him, and smiled slightly.

"Hi uncle Sean." She mumbled.

"Hey Ria. Is everything ok?" He repeated.

"Define 'ok'." I muttered. Then I gently took his hand, and led him over to the closet. Once he saw Mac's picture, he understood.

"Oh. I'm sorry to interrupt." He apologized, gazing at the picture in sorrow. Mac and Sean were fairly close. As far as I knew, Sean was Mac's only friend.

"It's ok. I was just gonna get Maria ready, then we're going to my parents house." I explained.

"Oh. Ok. Well, I'll just leave your gift here." Sean said, setting the pink box down on the table.