The room smells of sugar and bacon, the french toast stacked as high as I could get it, the bacon still sizzling in its pan. The air is warm and light as I hum our song, finishing up with breakfast, piling everything onto your special platter. I set a vase with lilacs, pure white foxglove, and pale pink snap dragons, arranging it just like your wedding bouquet. I set the plates of food around the vase, making it the centerpiece. The glass of the platter is smooth and untarnished as I run my hand over it, the delicately carved flowers still appear new. I always keep it in the back of the cupboard, hidden away. I know that you'd try to use it every meal if I didn't hide it from you, and it would have been ruined by now. Instead, I pull it out only on a very special occasion.
My favorite day of the year - your birthday. I want everything to be just the way you like it. The night before I wash your favorite outfit, making sure that your favorite shoes are also clean. I fold them up and put them at the end of the bed, after covering you with our blanket. Then I make you angel food french toast, bacon, and scrambled eggs with lunch meat and cheese in them, and of course include apple slices and strawberries on the side. All of your favorite breakfast items. Then I put all of the food on a beautiful platter that you found at Goodwill - you love to search through thrift stores and seek all of the hidden treasures. And while you've brought home many treasures, this one's your favorite. I fill this day with all of your favorites, to make it even better for you. Later we'll go to the arcade, our favorite place to hang out. Then we'll have lunch at your favorite Chinese restaurant, and then I'll take you home, and prepare dinner. I'll sneak out before putting our pizza that I've made in the oven, and buy you a present. You always love what I pick out for you... I can't wait to see your amazing smile this year. I already know what I'm going to get you this year. I've been saving up for months, just for you. Just to see you happy.
Today I work extra hard for you, to make it even better than last year. I start climbing the stairs, holding the platter by it's delicate rope handles. I swing the door open, grinning, and begin to sing happy birthday.
The platter falls to the ground, shattering. Shards of glass spread all over the food, the mess seeping into the carpet. I don't even care about the mess that I've made. How did I forget...? I take in the wall, and the carpet. The spot where you...
I couldn't get the stain out. The bright crimson stands out, taunting me and laughing in my face. Reminding me... It's all my fault. I fall onto my knees, the sudden pain in my legs jarring, the shock reverberating through my entire body. I wish I could stop the tears from falling... I curl up on the floor, the tears sinking into the carpet.
Happy birthday, beautiful...
