Divine Complement

11 - Bad Intentions

Mother Nature took it upon herself to give me my monthly gift.  I wanted to cut my own uterus out.

I hopped in the shower, trying to get rid of this disgusting feeling before my morning shift at the coffee shop.

After a good fifteen minute shower, I got out and put my uniform on.  As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, my mom attacked me.

"Happy eighteenth birthday, Aubrey Olivia Callins!"  Holy shit, I forgot my birthday was today.  Well, Mother Nature gave me her gift.  A pretty shitty one at that.  Well, more like bloody.

"Thanks mom, I totally forgot my own birthday.  But, I need to go to work."  She nodded and squeezed me once again before letting go.  Working on my own birthday?  Yeah, I might have taken off if it were any other job, but I truly enjoy working at that damn coffee shop.

"I know it's last minute but don't forget, your father and I have set dinner reservations at Lagoon Restaurant for six.  Please, don't forget."  I nodded and walked past her.  

When I walked in the kitchen, I was honestly expecting something big from my dad.  Instead, he was sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper.  He glanced up when he saw me and just muttered a 'happy birthday' before returning his attention to the articles.  I felt hurt, to say the least.  I grabbed my car keys and angrily walked out of the house.

*

I walked into the coffee shop and balloons fell everywhere.  There was a big "Happy Birthday Aubrey!" banner hanging from the ceiling.  My breath caught in my throat.  The gesture was little, but meaningful.  My own father couldn't even look me in my eyes and tell me happy birthday.

"Oh my God, guys! This is great, oh my God!"  My boss walked out with a cake.  It was round, and so cute.  I hugged all of them and we got to work after eating some of the delicious cake.

My shift ended at four.  I never knew what time I was working, I just got a call and went in.  I didn't mind though, and when we weren't busy, I even sketched in my journal.

I thanked everyone that was there one last time before walking to my car.  I smelled like coffee, pastries, and baked goods.  I didn't mind, it was like that smell was home to my nose.

My phone beeped, a sound to alert me of a reminder I had.  What reminder did I even set?  I unlocked my phone and checked.  

‘Brennen's tournament!’ flashed on the screen.  Well shit.  I rolled my eyes and huffed as I threw my phone in the passenger seat.  We weren't talking ever since that little incident.

But then I realized I promised him.  And I'm not one to break my promises, no matter the circumstances.  I checked the time. I had two hours to burn before my birthday dinner.  The tournament couldn't have lasted that long.

So, I put my car in drive and quickly made it back to my house.  It was 4:15 when I walked in the front door.  I shuffled to my room and quickly changed in to a pair of shirts and a loose shirt.  I slipped on my sandals and ruffled my hair a bit before walking out of my room.

"Honey, where are you going?  The dinner is in two hours!”

"Mom, I'll be home in time, I promise.  I'm just going to a... friend's baseball game."  She glared at me, but she had worry in her eyes.  She really didn't want me to fuck up.

I started my car and drove to the baseball field in town.  I parked my car and walked to the stands of the field he was playing at.  Brennen was warming up, so I called his name.  He looked confused, then shocked.  Then, he finally smiled. Lord have mercy, that smile.  He gave me a wave and went back to warming up.