I'll Save You [Edits Underway]

Dix

-French-

-Thursday, Spring 18, Year One-

~Pam~

My birthday was never really a day I celebrated.

Sure in more recent years my daughter, Penny, would be extra nice to me, take care of more things around our 'house', and spend some of the little money she had saved to buy me a nice dinner of parsnip soup.

However, even then, it's never been very special.

Then someone ran headfirst into my life. Someone who was thoroughly convinced that my birthday was indeed a special day.

No seriously she ran headfirst into me.

It was all a quick blur. I found myself stumbled back a few steps and looking down to see the stout farmer on the ground seeming pretty dazed.

"Oh damn." I grabbed her arm and helped her back to her feet. "Sorry kid, didn't mean to trip you up there." She raised her hands to sign, but stopped when she saw my face properly.

Suddenly she broke out into a wide grin and began signing with the speed of a bus hurtling down a highway.

"Whoa whoa whoa slow down kiddo you're going past the speed limit." I chuckled, smiling at the younger girl. Hel blushed slightly before beginning to sign again at a much slower pace.

"I was looking for you, Pam! I heard it was your birthday today!" Her erratic hand movements along with her beaming smile implying excitement. "Happy Birthday! What will you be doing to celebrate your special day?"

My smile slipped slightly, but I kept it still to save face in front of Hel. She seemed genuinely happy for me.

"Oh, is it my birthday today?" I sigh. "I guess it is. Thanks. Um, I suppose I'll just try to relax a bit more and get an extra drink at the saloon later."

Hel's excited smile quickly turned into a frown at my words.

"Hey don't fret, kid." I attempted to reassure her. "It's not like I can treat myself to an entire spa day or a grand meal. You can tell that from a mile away." I nodded back at my trailer, settled firmly in the center of town. Hel's frown deepened.

"Pam it is your birthday for darn's sake! I will not let you spend your day the same way you spend your other days." She signed, face set in a determined look. I chuckled again.

"It's alright kiddo. Maybe next year I'll do something if I'm more fortunate." I made to continue walking, but Hel planted her feet in front of me.

"Stay here. I will be right back. Do not go anywhere." She then sprinted off as fast as her leather-clad feet would carry her. I paused for a moment, one of my eyebrows raised in great curiosity. I then shrugged and went over to sit on the bench in the square.

The air was quiet, aside from birds that chirped every so often. The warmth was pleasant, not uncomfortably hot. I never realized how relaxed one could become while just sitting in the square.

My eyes found their way closed for a moment and I allowed myself to take in slow breaths of the fresh air. The breeze rustled the leaves above me, one leaf falling down and landing on my lap. I absentmindedly flicked it off, letting it finish it's descent to the ground.