Flashcards On The Wall

Chapter 24: Stranger

Gabriel questions me in my kitchen one evening.

"Have you talked yet?" Gabe asks.

"No," I answer.

"It's been weeks," he says.

"Almost three," I state.

"You have to talk to her at some point."

"Pot and kettle. Let's not get into it," I say.

"This is different. You actually are close to your parents and you miss your mom," he replies.

"I'm not ready to talk to her. I'm still can't let it go," I explain.

"Are you going to look for him?" he questions.

"Why would I do that Gabe?" I wonder.

"So you can meet your father," he answers.

"And what will that fix?" I ask.

"Maybe it'll help you to hear his side of it."

"I don't want someone in my life who doesn't really want to be a part of it. I've told you that before," I say.

"How do you know he doesn't?" he asks.

"Because where is he? Huh? He could have found me. He's had twenty years to do it."

"You know you're angry, because you do want to know him. Otherwise you wouldn't be so upset."

"This is not up for discussion," I respond.

"You're the one that says that family is important, so make up with yours," he tells me.

"I will talk to her when I feel the need to."

I wait for Gabe to respond but he drops the subject which I so appreciate.

Then he picks a new topic, "Fine, let's talk birthday."

"Who's?" I ask.

"Yours. Have you decided how you want to spend it?" Gabe questions.

"How'd you know when my birthday is?" I ask.

"I have sources. One lives with you," he says.

"Tash? She told you?" I question him.

"She thought I knew," he answers.

"I really haven't thought about it," I finally answer.

"I have a couple ideas," Gabe states.

I laugh. He doesn't.

"Really?" I say.

"I think I know you well enough to figure out something you would actually like." he says.

"I'm supposed to believe that Mr. Never Plans for Anything actually did for once?" I ask.

"Not guaranteeing you'll love it, but all I can do is try," he admits, "You've been a little down lately. I wanted to lift your mood."

"You always do that. I'm never sad, not when I'm around you. So, do I get to know what the plan is?" I ask.

"You'll see."

I watch the guy that somehow always makes me feel better. The one constant that I've come to depend on.

"Hey, so when is your birthday?" I question.

"That's not important," he shrugs.

"What?" I assume he's joking.

"Don't worry about it," he says, "It already passed."