Pipe Dreamers

2. Adam's Birthday

Amanda picked Marc and Carol up from their house to drive them to Adam's party at the gymnasium. She explained that everything is set up for the kids to play games and VR. It took three hours for the setup of tables, snacks, and drinks. The game systems were six since a lot of the electronics were manually difficult to put into the plugs.

During the car ride, Marc asks out of the blue as he is looking out the window at the pass of blue and yellow cars. "Is Adam at the gymnasium?"

Amanda answered. "Yeah, he's there with Mom."

"What about his dad?"

"He's going to the store to get the cake." She pulls up at a stoplight. "Since we got some time to chat, Carol, how's everything at Retailers?'

Carol pulls one of her earbuds away. "Um...I mean ...it's the same ole feeling I get when I work behind registers."

"How much do you make an hour, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Nine dollars an hour," Carol replies with a remark that sounded neutral.

Amanda chuckles. "I guess it means you hate it."

"I didn't say it."

At the arrival of Adam's party, the gymnasium was filled with laughter, clicks of noises from games that are the sound of guns shooting, music, and other sounds like ambient. Carol took the present to the green tablecloth table where the other presents were kept. She stood over at the game systems. Little kids were cheering each other on the winnings they were claiming. Meanwhile, Marc placed Adam's presents on the table and sat down in one of the empty seats that shows an insert coin screen on a racing game, called Ace Driver. He used his actual focus ability on using the break and gas and used the wheel. Some little kids around Adam's age gathered around Marc to watch him play. They were cheering him on as he was making lapses. Amanda and Adam were talking to their dad about the party and the main plans on when to open presents when they heard lots of interference near them.

Adam ran towards his chant. He sees Marc going through lapses that amaze him. Not only the graphics of the game's animation but the action. Meanwhile, Carol was in her normal daze of seeing her world in ruins as she wondered what could have happened to Zedrick Adair. Not that it was any of her business, but couldn't help but worry for his family. Another thing, she knows her brother Marc isn't always open-minded about awareness. Of course, the benefit of his future is to be a game creator. Carol never held it against her, she only wanted what was best for Marc. Suddenly, she was interrupted by Amanda, who had a concerned look on her face.

Amanda stood next to Carol. "You okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Carol asked.

"You're standing here, very distant from the whole atmosphere." She explains to Carol. "But seriously, what's going on?'

Carol really didn't want to recall her memories of worries. At the same time, she didn't want to lie to Amanda either.

She takes a breath and answers. "It's just that, I wish my brother could understand how difficult the world can be."

"What do you mean?"

"He's more interested in the new game releasing than not worried about the missing guy who's the Creator of the company."

Amanda scratches her head as she functions the information. She didn't know Carol holds up on the impact of barging this much trouble between her running her life and worries about Marc's outcomes.

"Listen, you have personal issues with your brother on your behalf. But this is Adam's party and he's having the best time out there being a kid he needs to be." Amanda continues with her stern tone. "I really would hate for you to feel miserable on a day that isn't supposed to be that."

Carol explains her behavior. "I'm not trying to ruin your brother's birthday, not at all."

Amanda nods. "I understand."

"If you want me to leave, I'll go."

"No, I want you to stay."

Mainly, the situation wasn't getting too easy. Carol really wanted to drop the whole entire subject and move on. "It's not all that." She admits to Amanda sternly. "People like Zedrick Adair don't deserve to go missing. Marc told me that him and his parents are successful and fully financed."

"Maybe it's not about money." Amanda sounded so sure. "Sometimes, parents can make some mistakes like their children."

Carol tucks her hands into her pockets of her cloudy-grey hoodie. "True."

"We'll talk about this later. It's almost time for Adam to blow out the candles." Amanda says with a smile, imagining her little brother's face.

When the two returned into the middle of the gymnasium. Amanda and Adam's parents came from the double doors with the rolling table, bringing out a lime green layered cake with the art of a game controller with Adam's name under it. In this moment of celebration, Carol isn't worried tactfully from earlier. All the kids and parents were clapping in sync. Cheering Adam's name as his dad begins to ignite the flame on the number one and zero. Marc also cheered his name in glee.

They sang:

Happy Birthday To You

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday, dear Adam

Happy birthday to you.

The singing dies down at a lower volume. Adam stands in front of his cake, smiling like the little boy he is to express his happiness.

Adam's mom speaks. "Make a wish."

As he was told to do, he closed his eyes for at least five seconds and blew out the candles.

Everyone clapped for him, using poppers to show off the confetti. Marc and Carol were contented, unlike how Carol was earlier. She lets it go and accepts moving on. Marc picks Adam up like a big brother figure and laughs with him. Saying how proud he is for him to be ten and growing up so fast.

"Happy birthday, little man!" Marc squeezes Adam playfully.

Adam took offense jokingly. "I'm not that little."

"Of course you're not. Just playing with you, bud."

Carol joins into the conversation. "Yeah, he's only playing. Someday, you'll be as tall as your dad."

"Maybe taller than my sister." Adam says it secretly without Amanda hearing him. "She's taller than me, but not for a long."

"Hey!" Amanda interrupted. "I heard that."

"Oops."