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15. Happy Birthday

"Happy birthday to you." Momma sang as I opened my sleepy eyes. Time flew so quickly I forgot about my birthday. Just a few weeks ago momma came home. Now its my 18th birthday. Momma kissed me on my cheek. I got up out of my bed and went in the bathroom. I took a shower and brushed my teeth. Rodney is taking me out today. For the entire day. So I gotta be prepared for anything. I pulled my box braids into a ponytail and laid my edges. I applied lipgloss to my lips. I threw on a light denim top romper and slid my feet in my white huaraches. I heard the front door open. That might be Rodney. I grabbed my white purse and put my lipgloss phone and money in it. I put it on my shoulder and walked in the living room. Rodney was standing up talking to Kyle. I looked at him and licked the lipgloss off my lips. He wasn't even paying attention to me. I walked up to him and hugged him. I buried my head in his stomach. I wish I was taller than 5'2. If I was at least 5'6 I coulda at least put my head on his chest and hear his heart beat.
"Hey shorty." He said.
"Haha make fun of the birthday girl." I sarcastically replied.
"Happy birthday baby."
"Thank you baby."
"Let's go."
Kyle hugged me before I left with Rodney.

Rodney took me to the mall and he bought everything I wanted. We sat in the food court and enjoyed our Panda Express.
"Baby this is too much." I said.
"You only gonna be 18 once. Let me spoil you." He replied.
"Okay baby."
"Remember I trust you."
"Remember I need you."
"Remember I love you."
Rodney and I smiled like idiots at each other.
"What?" I said.
"You look amazing."
"Thank you."
Rodney had me so distracted he stole a piece of my orange chicken from my plate.
"Really nigga?"
"Sorry baby it taste so good."
"I got something that taste better."
"Whats that?"
"You should know."
"Really?"
He leaned over the table and kissed me.
I licked the sauce from my lips.
"You ready to go?" He asked.
"Yeah."
We got our stuff and left.

At the spa
I can't believe this nigga took me to the spa. Like I'm at the fucking spa right now. I had a Swedish massage and it felt amazing! I feel so relaxed right now. After my massage I got a pedicure. My feet soaked in the hot bubbly water. My phone rang but I chose to ignore it. The man massaged my feet. I laid my head back and enjoyed being pampered.
"Right there." I said as he massaged the sole of my foot. He kept massaging. I closed my eyes and started to drift into a deep sleep. Rodney woke me up. I opened my eyes and looked at him. He had a concerned look on his face.
"What?" I asked.
"We gotta go." He said.
"Why?"
"Its your momma."
"What happened to her?"
"Let's go."
The man dried my feet and I slid my feet in my shoes.
I grabbed my shit and Rodney and I left.

At the hospital
Rodney and I rushed into the hospital.
"Where is Helen Meyers?" I asked the lady at the front desk.
"Room 4." She replied.
Rodney and I rushed into her room.
Momma was laying in the bed with machines hooked up to her.
"Momma." I said. I held her hand. She was unconscious. Tears filled my eyes. Kyle and Nyah came in the room. I picked up Nyah and she buried her head in my chest. Kyle started to ball tears.
"Kyle its okay. She's still alive." I said as I pointed at the heart monitor. I could see the lines and the rhythm of her heart.
"Momma you gotta wake up. Please." I begged.
With my free hand I held hers. Momma opened her eyes slowly. I smiled. I kissed her on her cheek. Kyle kissed her then I leaned for Nyah to kiss her.
"I love you." All of us said simultaneously.
Rodney kissed momma's forehead. She blinked a few times before her eyes stayed open. Then I heard a flatline. Rodney went to call a nurse I started balling tears. "No! Momma! Come back!" I screamed.
"Wake up!" I cried.
My siblings and I cried our eyes out as doctors came in. They did everything in their power to revive momma. But nothing worked. I felt my heart break into a thousand pieces. Rodney drove us home.