The Able Sisters

Chapter 39

Sable's birthday was a cold November day. All color had faded from the leaves and the earth had turned a deep brown as it awaited to be coated with fresh snow.

It was also Sable's first birthday without Tom. She, of course, had many before that, but it was just her and Mabel celebrating today. She hadn't even closed the shop today since there wasn't much cause for celebration.

She woke up before Mabel, as that normally happened, and fixed herself some tea. She glanced out the window, looking at the gray clouds that were blown in the wind. 

She wasn't used to having sunny birthdays. November 22nd was either cloudy or raining. Maybe there had been a sunny birthday thrown in there at one time, but not prior to her parents' death.

Mabel stepped into the living room rubbing her tired eyes.

"Aw, no! You're up before me! I wanted to make you breakfast!" she complained.

"I haven't eaten yet," Sable assured her. "What are you going to make me?"

"It's a secret," Mabel said.

Sable turned her back, as instructed, and listened to Mabel move things in the cupboards. She sipped her tea, smiling a bit, wondering what her sister would have in store for her.

"Okay! Here it is!" Mabel said, placing something down on the table.

Sable turned around to see a bowl of cereal and milk with some multicolored sprinkles on top. Sable laughed and smiled at Mabel.

"Thanks. I love it," she said.

"I drew you a lot of pictures too," Mabel said, running to her room. She came back with a stack of random drawings. "It can be your card."

"Thanks," Sable said. Mabel still continued to make her day, though Sable sometimes wished she'd get a present or two.

"Let's go open up shop," Sable said. "Maybe we can go to The Roost tonight."

"Yeah!" Mabel exclaimed.

Sable grinned and opened up shop. Today's my birthday, she thought. And no one will know when they walk in. 

She sighed. She wasn't sure why this birthday was harder than others. She'd had plenty of birthdays where she'd done nothing. And Mabel was doing her best to make her happy. That had to count for something.

As expected, customers came in and bought clothing, unaware of Sable's special day. But perhaps it was better. She wasn't one for attention any way.

At one point, Tortimer stumbled in and happily greeted Sable.

"Happy, happy birthday!" he said.

Sable grinned. "Thanks."

"And look what I have," he said, removing his hand from behind his back. There was a pretty slice of cake all boxed up, ready for her to enjoy.

"Sorry. I know it isn't a big and it doesn't come with candles," he said. "But I hope you like strawberry!"

Sable smiled. "Thanks, Tortimer. I really appreciate it. I'll have to eat it later."

"Did you bring cake for me?" Mabel asked.

Tortimer chuckled and shook his head. "I'm afraid not. It's your sister's birthday though. She should eat all the cake she wants today."

Sable grinned and watched as he left. The day was pretty slow, and Sable ended up closing a few hours early so she and Mabel could have a little fun of their own.

The sky darkened quickly, and they were just about ready to head to the Museum when a knock came at the front door. She opened it to find Pete with a parcel in hand.

"Delivery for Miss Sable!" he announced.

"Thanks, Pete," she replied, grabbing it from him. One quick glance at the name tag and she realized it was from Tom. She grinned to herself a little. She feared he had forgotten her, even though he had acknowledged in his letter that week that her birthday was coming up.

"Let's go!" Mabel exclaimed.

Sable wanted to open the present, but she knew Mabel was ready to leave. She set it down on her sewing table and headed out with Mabel.

The night was as relaxed as Sable assumed it would be. They both sipped on hot chocolate and looked at the stars from the observatory. They were only there about an hour and a half before heading home.

Mabel was tired, as she'd had an exciting day. Sable wished hers had been more exciting. She put her sister to bed and retrieved her package from Tom downstairs.

What a day, she thought, sitting alone at the kitchen table and eating the piece of cake Tortimer had brought her.

There was a tiny note from Tom attached to the package:

Sable,

Happy Birthday! Sorry I can't be there with you. I think you'll really like this gift.

Tom

Short and sweet. Maybe Sable had been expecting a bit more, but perhaps his gift said it all. She tore the packaging away to reveal a beautiful cedar box.

"How much money did he spend on this?" she asked, lifting it up. It was only when it rattled a bit that she realized there was something inside.

She shrugged and opened up the lid. Inside were a beautiful pair of orange sewing scissors. Her mouth dropped. The scissors she had been using had probably been used by her parents for years. They were worn but got the job done.

These...were something else.

It must have cost him a fortune, she thought. She carefully lifted the scissors out of the box and watched as they gleamed under the light. The mediocre strawberry cake she was eating was pushed aside, and she stood holding the scissors, admiring their beauty.

He really did know her well. She hadn't really wanted anything for her birthday, but these were lovely. She wondered where he had gotten them from. And how did he know orange was her favorite color? It must have come up in conversation sometime.

She set them back down in the box as tears filled her eyes. She glanced out the window once more. The night sky was too cloudy to really see any stars, but she felt they were out there shining, somehow.

She wept quietly to herself, trying not to be too loud to wake Mabel. Her birthday was not the best birthday she had ever had. In fact, it was one of the most lonely birthdays she had ever had.

But Tom's gift meant something dear to her. She could not wait to write him and tell him how much she loved the gift. She just hoped he hadn't spent too many bells on her.

Life had not been easy for her lately. Or since her parents died, she guessed. She glanced down at the orange pair of scissors and grinned through the tears. 

Things would eventually get better. She would have many more fun birthdays. She just had to believe that.