One Less Lonely Heart.

Show Me Love

It was my birthday. February 13th, one of the happiest days of my life. All throughout my school day I was bombarded with text messages asking what I wanted to do for my special day. I had turned 14 that day, and the only thing I wanted to do was spend the whole day with my Pops. I really hoped I didn't have to sneak and go see my father, on my own birthday. That would really annoy the shit out of me. Don't continue asking me what I want to do if I can't do what I want to do. I've spent my last 13 birthdays with my family, it was time for something different.
It seemed like the day was dragging though, all of my blocks seemed to be 2 hours longer than normal. Or maybe it was just my anxiety getting the best of me. I glanced at the clock, it was 1:55 PM. Thank God. Only 10 more minutes. I was ready to dart out these doors for the weekend and enjoy my birthday. Even though I had the slightest idea what I was going to do. My Dad actually had a plan for me. He wanted to take me to Dave & Busters, since I had never been before. I was always told it was too expensive, and when I shared my repetitive hearing opinions with him he just simply said there's nothing too expensive when it comes to MY son. I really couldn't help but smile. I really hadn't felt that important to anyone in the years growing up. I always felt so isolated, like I didn't belong. When he came along, he changed those feelings. And I was glad they were gone.
The sound of the annoying bell going off snapped me back into reality. Good, time to get the hell outta here. I gathered my binder and my bag and headed towards the buses. A text message vibrated through my phone & I unlocked my phone to see who it was. It was my Dad. He said: I see you.
He sees me?
I looked around to inspect the school grounds, but didn't see him in sight.
I remember hearing a car honk 3 times. I turned around and saw my Dad, full of teeth just grinning waving me to the car. Making sure I was still being apprehensive, I looked all around me before I entered into the Driver's seat.
   "What's up my kid? Happy birthday!" He said with the biggest grin on his face.
"Nothin' much pops, thankyou." I was smiling just as hard. I looked down beside my leg and saw a pretty green bag with a balloon and bow hanging out.
"Daddy, what's this?"
He took his eyes off the road for a split second and winked at me.
"Open it and see."
He didn't have to tell me twice. I immediately grabbed the bag and started to remove the white and green decoration sheets and pulled out the contents.
No this man did not. He couldn't have. He bought me a new phone. An iPhone 4. Back then if you had a iPhone you were looked at like you were apart of an elite group of people. Almost like you were different from the rest. I always laughed at the idiots that said that shit to me. I just didn't think I was that important enough for someone to even spend this kind of money on. I pulled out the second item. Not multiple gifts, I was more than grateful for the first one. He didn't have to overdue it. It was a sweatshirt with my favorite football team on it. The Philadelphia Eagles. He was smart, green bag, green sweatshirt. I was definitely his kid. Along with a card and $200 inside the envelope with a beautiful drawing of doves in the wind. He drew this, just for me?
    I started to get a bit emotional. I mean who could've blamed me? I was never use to getting presents like this. I felt the love and the time spent on each gift. That's something I never had somebody do for little ole' Kay. He must've sensed my distance and broke my mind and it's racing thoughts.
"You okay, Son? You like your gifts?"
"Like? I love them pop. You shouldn't have spent all this money though."
"Modesty. Your my kid, I'd do anything for you and your brothers."
You better not cry! I kept telling myself. The more words he spoke, the more emotional I became.
He pulled into a Wendy's and we went inside to get a bite to eat.
After we ordered our food, a text message rang through my phone. It was my Grandma.
"Where you at, birthday boy?"
I looked all over the store to make sure we weren't seen.
I'm still at school. Staying back.
"On your birthday?"
Yeah, had a test to retake.
"Oh ok, well we'll be waiting on you to get home."
Okay ma. See you in a min.
I felt so bad for lying, but when it came to spending time with my Dad, right or wrong didn't matter to me anymore.
     After we ate, he dropped me at our regular spot. He kissed me on the forehead and told me he'd text me later. As I watched him drive off, I put my gift bag in my book bag. I already knew the questions where gonna be endless when they seen my new phone in my hand. Who bought you that? Why they buy you that? How much that cost? What's the routing number on it? Irritating shit I didn't have time for.
    Once I made it in the house, I was shocked by all the balloons and confetti on the floor. They really did all this? I looked for my family members but no one was in sight. I decided to get a snack from the kitchen. They'd appear sooner or later. It was 6:35 PM, around this time of the season it got dark real early. I turned on the light and—
"SURPRISE!!!!!"
These niggas.
"Oop, Awe. Y'all shouldn't have."
"Happy birthday."
Everything was so nice, I looked at my cake and laughed. It said "Happy Birthday Mr. Jones" like I done became a whole grown man. I was only turning 14, geez. But nonetheless, there efforts really made me smile.
My Grandma came over to my chair after I blew my candles out.
"I couldn't afford to get you nothing big big, so I just got you this."
She handed me card. After opening it up, it revealed a 100 dollar gift card to my favorite place in the world. Family dollar. Now listen, to a kid back then? Family dollar was like an all you can you buy buffet. Everything was so cheap. I use to rack up at my spot. It wasn't a gift gift, but I was grateful. Always.
     I cleaned up my plates and got ready for bed. Once I said my goodnights, I climbed into my bed and played with my new iPhone my daddy got me, all night long.