Henry....My Only Friend in the World (The 1st Book in the Henry series)

Chapter 5- Family and Friends

The day was over and I entered my home. Dad was not there as he hadn't left office as yet. Mom was busy in the kitchen. Wearing a smile on my face, I started out on the plan. I walked upto the calendar. It was a good timing for the plan. Today, it was November 10th and fast forward five days, it will be November 15th; Dad's birthday! He will be 46 years old this year.

''Oh hey, Mom!'' There was no reply.

''Mom!! You there?'' Then slowly-

''Yes dear?''

'Mom, did you know there are only five days left for Dad's birthday? Shouldn't we be making something for him?''

Mom came out of the kitchen, smiling at me sympatheticly.

''What can I do, my dear?''

''Bake a cake of course! Especially a Chocolate Truffle cake! You know it is Dad's favorite.'' I said, looking hopefully at Mom.

She seemed a bit interested but then said ''But my dear...you know how he is......will he eat it?''

''Of course he will!! He loves anything you make, don't you know that?''

Mom gave a little sigh and went back to the kitchen, saying ''Well, dear, if you insist.''

Then, she took out the Recipe Book from a cupboard in the kitchen and flipping through its pages, she stopped and said ''Well, there is a recipe for making a chocolate truffle cake here. I will make it on the 14th? What do you say, Johnny?''

'I agree....it will be PERFECT!!!!' and I smiled, cheerfully. Mom smiled back and I knew it was a real smile and not a fake. Things are getting stiched back, slowly. 

After 4 days....... 

'Its ready!!' called out Mom from the kitchen, taking the tray on which the cake was baked from the oven. I rushed inside and looked at it. ''How is it?'' asked my mother, wiping the sweat from her brow, giving her beautiful 32-teeth smile. 

I was amazed and filled with pleasant feelings for it was since years, Mom had done something as magnificient as this.

So, I truthfully said ''Oh it looks so lovely!! I am sure Dad will love it!!''

Mom smiled, relieved and said ''Well then, we have to keep it as a surprise from Dad until tommorow, right? So, lets keep it in the fridge.'' and she took the tray but suddenly, she stopped.

''Oh dear! I almost forgot!''

''What's it, Mom?''

Mom turned to me with a mischeivious smile and asked ''Look at the cake, John. Don't you see there is something wrong or to say, missing, in it?''

I looked at it closely. Well, it looked nice and perfect, baked to perfection and tempting. What could be wrong with it? After all, it was just a nice, plain-! Oh ho.....now I know what's missing!! The missing thing is-

"Icing!"

Mom gave a laugh.

''Absolutely, dear. Now, will you fetch me the 'icing pen'? I have kept it in the second cupboard.'' I obeyed and made my way to the cupboard in which it was put in. Mom always called the parchement cone, 'icing pen' so don't get confused.

I opened the cupboard, took out the parchment cone and gave it to Mom and immediately, she wrote a perfect, deary, lovely looking 'Happy Birthday!' on the cake.

''Now it looks 100% perfect!" I complimented. Soon, the cake was packed inside the refridgerator. ''Whew! That was tiring!! Lets have some lemonade...I made some.'' Mom said, taking out a jug of lemonade