Unexpected Turns

Happy Day

(Dress mentioned later on in the chapter)

August 18, 1942

I'm finally 17 and I'm very happy to be on my last year of high school. I plan to leave school and become a secretary to a top person in show business. Maybe meet a couple of famous actors, like Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby, or actors who want to become big. I'd love to be surrounded by handsome men and women who are filled with stories of travels due to their movies.

But now, I'm just 17 waiting for school to end.

I woke up from a sound sleep and looked at the clock. It was 9 AM in the morning on a Tuesday morning, and I felt so alive. I came downstairs with a smile and mom had prepared me my favorite breakfast, blueberry pancakes. I savored the food and ate it so slow to make sure it never finished. Dad brought me a cake which he put in the fridge until the afternoon, where everyone would sing happy birthday to me and watch me open presents. This is why I love my birthday, it's like another Christmas morning.

After my pancakes, I got up to go to the living room where I played cards with Dad. He was teaching me to play different games and I was very much enjoying it all.

"This game can get you a whole lot of bread," he smirked, "if you play it right."

"You better not be teaching her to play poker Ted," Mom yelled, "I'll slap you."

"I'm not," he yelled back, and then whispered to me, "I am, just don't tell your mom."

I giggled, "what if she comes out of the kitchen?"

"Then pretend we're playing another game," he shrugged, "it's better than getting slapped."

The doorbell rang and I told him I'd get it. On the other side of the door stood Gregory, who I hadn't seen in weeks.

"Greg!" I exclaimed, "you're here."

He hugged me, "of course I'm here sweets, you thought I wouldn't come for your birthday."

"It's just that, you were so busy, and I thought you still would be," I let him come in.

"I'm never too busy for you," he sits next to dad, "teaching her to play poker, does mom know?"

"No, and don't tell her," Dad replied, "nice to see you. How long are you staying?"

"All day. I came mainly for the food," he jokes.

"Oh really?" I cross my arms.

"I'm joking, Mary, I came only for you."

"How's Scarlet?" I ask.

"Good, good. She couldn't come but she wanted to give you this," he hands me a card from his pocket.

It's addressed to me and says:

Hey Maire,

How's it going? I'm sorry I couldn't make it, I had a trip I had to go on. I hope to make it to the next one though. Happy Birthday, my love! May god bless you and give you 90 more birthdays, and may you live to be 100.

I have a wonderful present for you and I hope you like it, it's with Greg right now.

Scarlet

"What's it say?" Dad asks.

"Happy birthday, and that she gave me a present and Greg has it."

"It's in the car with mine. Don't worry it's nothing that would melt," Greg says.

"Oh," I smile wide, "I'm so excited, overly excited right now."

They both chuckle.