I Want to be with the Stars [COMPLETED]

I Want to be with the Stars Part 2

Two more days until Len's birthday. It has been five days since that Halloween night, nothing has happened yet. Thankful, he smiles and prays to the stars every night for not listening to his wish. Hoping that it wasn't just that it took long for wishes to go through, and he did the same that night on November 5th.

Not only was it two more days until his birthday, but it was also four more days until Fall Break was over. He would then have to go back to school. He felt mixed feelings, he would escape his parent's endless yapping, but he would also go back into that neglectful prison. That's what he liked to call it. It described it perfectly to him.

Len tended to stray away from people when he was in Kindergarten to 3rd grade, leading him to not really grow close, or feel comfortable, with other people. Now, he wishes he hadn't, he wished he didn't think that every person that wasn't his grandparents were like his parents. Anger-filled, short-tempered, obnoxious, low humans, because they weren't. He knew that, too, he has seen how they were with other people, but he could never bring himself to say hello.

His voice was too low. They couldn't hear him, or they were neglecting him. Just like his parents. Neglectful humans that didn't allow his soft voice to be heard over their loud ones.

With that in mind, he guessed he would rather stay home. Then, at least he could go outside, he could sit outside and soak up the Sun's light. He liked the Sun, too, since it was a star and he didn't want to exclude anything. Even if the Sun didn't shine like the stars did, in their special way.

Clearing his thoughts of school, he headed back inside, taking one last glance at the night sky. It's gorgeous, he thought, closing the door behind him before he heard voices erupt from his parent's room.

I'm going to bed, he decided, trying to ignore their voices, hoping that his dreams would bring a peaceful scene.

***

Like a dreamless sleep, his birthday came by just like that. November 7th had arrived. Rising at seven o'clock, he got dressed and gathered his belongings to head to his grandparent's house where there would be cake and presents waiting for him. He drove his bike out of the garage and down several streets, finally coming upon the old cottage house surrounded by forest. It looked like it was straight out of a fairy tale, and he was Little Red Riding Hood coming to bring his old, frail grandmother some pastries.

Except that said grandmother was anything but frail and she was the one with the treats, not Len.

He rode his bike up and leaned it against the house. Doing three little knocks on the door, his grandpa opened the door, smiling and inviting him inside. He had a small hunch in his back and he was the frail, skinny one out of the two. His name was Florence. Jannett was a plump woman and was still getting around fine. Resembling their child and grandchild, they both had light brown hair, which was graying, but they colored it, and Jannet had green eyes, like Len, while Florence had blue eyes.

"We're very happy to see you again, dear! Happy birthday!" Jannett said, carrying a cake over to the dining table, pushing her glasses up as they slid down her nose. "You're staying the night this year, right? Just like you always do."

Len nodded his head and murmured a "Yep."

"That's wonderful, we boug-" Florence started, but quickly shut up when Jannett slapped his shoulder.

"Huh?" Len questioned, looking between the two.

"Nothing, dear." His grandmother smiled innocently and started to decorate the cake with candles. "We're not going to eat cake just yet. I would just like to get it ready since I don't seem to be doing much at the moment."

"Are you ready for us to start breakfast?" His grandfather asked.

Len nodded his head just as Jannett jumped up, "That's right! I forgot about breakfast! Silly me." She laughed and grabbed her apron off the hook, tying it around her waist. In a flash, she put the bacon on the stove, toast in the toaster, and orange juice in a cup. Len was impressed with how fast a sixty-year-old woman could move.

"What do you think we got you this year, pal?" Florence asked, "Money, movies, a new bike?"

"Hm? I'm not sure," Len replied. "I guess I'll have to wait and see."

"Well, well of course!" Jannet walked over with three plates stuffed with eggs, bacon, toast, and hash browns.

They all ate well and chirped happily. Len loved his birthday, it was a special time to spend with his family. In other words, a special time to spend with his grandparents, because that's all he had.

***

Six o'clock came. Which meant it was time for dinner, cake, and his present. Florence and Len were already seated at the dining table when Jannett brought over potato soup and garlic cheese rolls. His favorite meal.

They gobbled it up, Len savored every bite, since this was the only time of year he had this meal. His grandma was the only person that could make it the way he liked it, too. It was special.

His grandma slid the cake in front of him, lit the candles with a match, and turned the lights off.

"Happy birthday to you!" They sang together.

At the end of the song, Jannett whispered, "Make a wish, for I hope it comes true."

Just like every year, Len wished for a normal life and blew the candles out, leaving the only light to come from outside where the stars and moon shined.

Jannett turned the lights back on, dragging a long, rectangular box wrapped with reflective orange wrapping paper behind her.

Both grandparents waved for him to open it, so he started to undo it carefully, making sure the paper didn't rip. Eyes wide and smile like a crescent moon, he admired his new telescope before jumping out of his seat to hug and thank them. Not just for the present, but for being there for his birthday.

Without them, he would be alone, and a birthday wouldn't really mean anything to him.