Life Is Challenging (RE-MASTERED)

Chapter 11: Best Birthday Ever

       It's here, the day of my birth.  I was brought into this world 19 years ago.  I sit on my bed, 'The Devils Bleeding Crown' by Volbeat plays on my speakers.  I inhale a cigarette as I ponder life and the past weeks events.
   
   Chloe walks in and closes the door.  She sits on my lap and gives me the longest kiss we've we've had. "Happy Birthday babe, I have a surprise for you later."  I smile and hug her. 

     "Thanks babe, I can't wait to see what it is!!"   I feel like I'm floating and nothing can bring me down. I look at the box on my windowsill, it was a present from mom.... I haven't even opened her card yet.  I grab the box and sit on the bed.
 
     Chloe sits next to me and smiles at the package.  "Open it babe! What did she get you?" 
     
     "I don't know," I untie the ribbon around the box and open it.  Inside was a family picture, one of the last ever taken of my dad.  Chloe looks at it and smiles. 

     "You guys look so happy together."  It's the picture of Mom, Dad and myself at the lake in Michigan.  Dad has his AC/DC shirt and khaki shorts, with a cigar between his teeth.  Mom is wearing her blue sundress and mirror sunglasses while I am wearing a black Pantera shirt and basket ball shorts.  My hair was still dirty blonde and in a mohawk.  We are all smiling at the camera and I can almost feel the breeze of the lake again....

    "This was taken in the summer of 2008, the last picture of my dad.  That was the best day of that year.  Dad had finally opened up his own restaurant and hired me as a bus boy."  I feel tears run down my cheek, happy tears this time.  Mom gave me the best birthday present ever.  

     "You look just like your dad, babe.  Same eyes, same smile, same build.  You almost look like you could be brothers."  Chloe kisses my cheek and wipes my tears.  "Let's go babe, Joyce has a surprise for you at the Diner."  She grabs my hand and helps me up.  I put on my Slipknot hoodie and follow Chloe out of the room. 
      
    "You would have loved him Chloe.  I'm so much like him, we liked the same music, dressed the same normally and we got along super great.  My mom tried dating after he passed and it didn't work out.  The guys name was Tim and he hated me and used to hit me when mom wasn't around.  She ended that real quick, but she was never happy after that."  I pull out a cigarette and my flask.  I take a big shot and then light my cig. 
     
    "I'm sorry Jimmy, but today is a good day.  You are gonna have a hella amazing birthday."  She smiles and hugs me as we reach her truck.  I get in and buckle my seat belt as Chloe starts her truck up.  She hands me the aux cord and tells me to play something cool.  I can only think to play some Atreyu.
   
    "Good choice!" We drive along the highway and I see some things I haven't noticed since being at Blackwell.  The forest is gorgeous and I can hear the birds chirping and singing.
   
   Chloe pulls up to the Diner and I see there are no cars right now...  that's weird.  "Chloe why is there nobody here right now?"  She smiles and gets out.  She pushes me from behind towards the entrance.
 
    "You'll see rockstar, just go inside!"  I laugh and start walking inside the diner.

   "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIMMY!!!!!!"  All of my friends are standing there with huge smiles on there faces.  My heart is pounding fast from the surprise.

    "Oh my god, thank you guys.  I love it."  I smile and look around at the decorations.  A huge cake is on the counter with 19 candles ontop.  "What is this?" 

     "It's a surprise party, you goof.  Max, mom and I planned this for you."  Chloe says as she turns me around and kisses me in front of everyone.  Warren is here, Max, Dana, even Juliet is here. Along with some new guy I haven't seen before.

    "Max, would you like to introduce Jimmy to that badass guy?"  Chloe chirps.

     "Jimmy, this is Grant.  He's been here since I started here. He moved away but came back, I guess he has some of your classes.  He likes parties so I invited him to come."  Max sort of pulls him forward.