The Pursuit of Happiness

15. Happy Birthday Dork pt. 1

(Edd)

Beep! Beep! Beep!

It's now 5:45am. I had been staring at the ceiling in the dark for the past 15 minutes. I quickly turned off my alarm clock.

*Another day, another year older*

I slowly got up from my bed and headed to the shower. Instead of starting my usual shower routine right away, I just let the water run all over me. I ran my fingers through my hair and I took a deep breath.

Today marked the 18th anniversary of my birth, and each year became more dreary than the last. I haven't celebrated my birthday since I was eight. What's even more depressing was that my parents haven't been truly involved in my birthday since I was five. It was my nanny who only actually cared about it and she made sure I enjoyed every minute of it.

Teresa Winters, my former nanny, was a very old woman who would always take me out on my birthday. Whether it was a nearby carnival, or a neighboring market in one of the villages my parents worked in, Teresa was paid as a traveling nanny, I would always enjoy myself. At the end of the day, Teresa would always make me a chocolate cake. I remember looking forward to it each year.

However, as a little kid, I still craved acknowledgment and affection from my parents. I wanted them to stay with me and celebrate my birthday with me. On my 9th birthday, I hid a diamond necklace from my mother in order to get her attention.

When she noticed it was missing, she immediately accused Teresa if stealing and fired her. I tried to tell her that I did it for love and attention, but she wouldn't hear of it. I have never cried so hard in my life. The only person who cared was gone and it was all my fault. As a result, my taste for chocolate has long since been rejected.

Soon after that my parents and I moved to the cul-de-sac, where eventually I learned that my mother grew up around here. I lived alone here most of my life, and each birthday, I wait for them to acknowledge me. So far, nothing.

*Happy birthday to me...*

I finally started my shower routine. Once I am fully dressed, I head downstairs to the kitchen.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. I looked at the clock on the kitchen wall. It was 6:45 am.

"That's odd, Ed and Eddy usually don't get here until at least 7:30. I wonder who would be ringing at this hour?" I said to myself.

I walked over to the door and opened it. There was no one there.

*Very peculiar*

I was about to turn around when something on the ground caught my eye. I looked down and saw a single rose. Attached was a small white card. I picked up the rose and closed the door.

The rose was simply magnificent. It's deep velvety red color had a luminous glow.

*A bit cliché perhaps, but beautiful nonetheless*

As I walked back towards the kitchen, I took a look at the card. It was just a regular plain white card, nothing too spectacular. I put the rose in the kitchen counter and opened the card.

Happy Birthday Dork

There was a small heart at the upper right corner of the letter k in 'dork'. The note was so simple, yet it filled me with so much love. My cheeks were hurting from smiling so much. Kevin brought me so much joy by doing the simplest of things.

*I wonder why he just didn't come in with the rose?*

Suddenly the doorbell rang again. I put the card down on the counter and immediately ran to open it, hoping to see my red-headed Jock.