Falling For The Smiths

18.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN | HAPPY BIRTHDAY
***

"Happy birthday, Teresa."

Mom smiled down at me from the head of the table, her fingers wrapped tightly around a small package. I stopped spooning the cereal into my hungry mouth and offered her a crooked grin.

"Thanks, mom," I said, taking the package from her. "You didn't have to get me anything..."

"Of course I did," she countered, waving me off with a frown. "I am your mother, after all."

Right. I pushed the bowl towards the centre of the dining table and placed the carefully-wrapped box in front of me. My fingers pried the shiny green foil away carelessly.

A gasp filled the silence. My lips were parted in surprise as I took in the gift.

"You...you shouldn't have," I stuttered.

I lifted the metal keys onto my palm and bit my lip to hold in a squeal. I must be dreaming. The reality of it all was too much to take in; my very own car! I'd gotten my driver's license a couple moths back, but there wasn't any money to afford a car.

"Do you want to see it?" Dad asked, beaming.

I nodded eagerly. From the corner of my eye, I saw Samantha blink and look away from us, but had no time to do anything as Mom had taken my hand and tugged me out the house.

"We can change the colour if you need us to," she assured, "or even the car itself."

I was too busy ogling at the silver convertible parked in the driveway. Rushing forward, I ran my fingers across the smooth surface and grinned.

"Thank you so much!" I squealed, hugging my parents.

"We're glad you like it," Dad laughed. "Want to take her out on a spin?"

I glanced back at the car, then into the house. I thought back to the way Samantha had hid her face from me at the table.

"Maybe later," I replied. "Right now, I need to finish my breakfast."

Mom looked disappointed, but hid it quickly. "Of course."

I pressed my lips into a smile before hurrying into the house. Samantha had just begun clearing the dishes away.

"Hey, I wasn't done!" I exclaimed, dropping the keys back into the box. "And, besides, I was going to do the dishes."

"But it's your birthday," John reminded.

I shrugged. "Doesn't matter."

Taking my bowl from Samantha, I plopped back into my seat and wolfed down the rest of my cereal.

"I'm going to take the car out for a ride later," I announced, "and the both of you are coming - no objections," I added.

Samantha frowned. "I'm afraid that would be a problem, dear. I have some errands to run at the bakery today with John."

"Yeah," John agreed, sighing. "We need to be leaving soon."

I pouted. "Fine." Then, I hopefully added, "Can I at least drop you off?"