That Summer

Birthday Wishes

I wake up to the smell of food baking and dishes clanging and multiple feet shuffling across the kitchen floor. I rub my eyes and then check the clock, 8:47 am. I then walk over to the mirror and get the sleep out of my eyes. I pull my hair into a messy bun and roll up the t-shirt sleeves. The shirt is an old volleyball shirt that is light blue and says 'Bump, Set, Spike: Volleyball THUDERCATS'. I'm just wearing underwear that are black and all lace except for a triangle on the front and the matching bra under my shirt. I then pad down the stairs while yawning.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" I hear Lance, Jace, Damian, Jeffery, Evan, and Hudson yell. I scream and them laugh because they scared me. I hear someone whisper 'holy shit!' and I roll my eyes. Typical. Hudson walks over to me and wraps his arms around my waist. I place my hands on his neck and look up at him, flirting with my eyes. He whispers, "happy birthday, babe" and the gives me a peck on the lips. Evey rolls her eyes as she giggles. We all sit down at the table and eat breakfast. I tell everyone I'll be back as soon as I could. As I skip up the stairs I hear Evey ask the boys what they're planning for my birthday and roll my eyes.

I walk past dad and Evey's room and hear my dad on the phone. I felt bad for eavesdropping but I couldn't help it. His conversation was interesting. It went something like, '...Helene, I know that you're pregnant, but it can't be my kid. I have a girlfriend and she's pregnant right now too. And I know for a fact that that one is my kid. How can you be sure it's mine? You're married! How can you be sure is mine?...I know that we've hooked up on multiple occasions!...no listen I don't care that the doctors say that you got pregnant around the time your husband was on a work trip. I...wait does he know that you're with child? Then get an abortion! My family doesn't need to be ruined over this!'

I walked away after that because I couldn't hear anymore. I couldn't bear thinking that dad cheated on Evey. It sickened me. I slowly walked to the bathroom and took a shower. I quickly dried my hair and then curled it. I then applied "special" makeup that was just a little more glamorous than I would usually wear. I then put on a short, black dress. I laces up my converse and put in some earrings. Then I grabbed my purse, spritz on some perfume, and headed down stairs.

I see Evey talking to the boys on the couch. I give them all a look that said 'really?' and then asked where we were going. Hudson comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist and then set his head in my shoulder.

"We're taking you out to lunch and then going roller skating. After that you can choose what we do." Jeffery says. I nod approvingly and then we head out the door.

We arrive at a really nice restaurant that had white plushy chairs and red cloth napkins. "This is really fancy for a birthday with friends." I point out. Hudson grabs my hand, and then smiles at me. He then says, "I can only take my girl to the finest places, and this is the finest." After eating we go to the roller skating rink and skate for an hour.

"So what do you want to do now?" Hudson asked me as we give our roller skates to the girl behind the counter. She's about our age with blonde waves curls with her side bangs pinned to the side of her head. Damian comes up right behind us and starts flirting with the girl. He ends up getting her number and then we all leave.

"I kinda just want to hang out with you. is that fine?" I reply to Hudson. He smiles and nods as he leans over to kiss my cheek. Him and I get dropped off at my house and when we get there dad and Evey are gone. We go into the kitchen and make a bowl of popcorn, grab the candy, and get two glasses of water. We then go into the bedroom and grab blankets and pillows and throw them on the floor. We end up watching two funny movies and halfway between the third movie, which was a chick flick, the doorbell rings. I moan and then get up to go get the door. When I open it there's a lady standing there that's about 30 years old. She has pale skin and dark hair and brown eyes. She's dressed in a business suit and then she asks for my dad.

"Uh he's not home right now. and I don't know when he's going to be back." I tell her.

"Oh. Well is he with his uh.. girlfriend?" she asks bitterly.

"Uh yeah. Wait! are you the woman that my dad got pregnant?"

"Yes. Wait how do you know that?" she asks alarmed.

"I overheard him talking on the phone." I reply looking down.

"Oh. Well tell him that I got the abortion and he should be happy. I'm leaving now. Goodbye." she says and then leaves. I shut the door and then head back into the living room.

"What was that about?" Hudson asks me.

"Oh it was just my dads co-worker." I said as I grabbed a handful of popcorn.