Happy Birthday

Late

"Don't worry," I assured my best friend as I sat in my comfortable chair. He was propped up on my arm rest, his white fur silky compared to most bears. Kumajirou sighed and I had the feeling he didn't want to be here. I was probably right.

We had been waiting for two hours already, and I'd made sure that I sent all of the invitations to everyone, and I was sure they were just caught in traffic.

I knew this was going to be a good birthday, so I voiced that opinion.

Kumajirou sighed again. "You said that last year. What makes you think it'll be different this time?"

"Well, I made sure they knew this year," I replied lamely.

He sighed for the third time.

Two hours passed.

"Don't worry. I'm sure someone will be here soon," I said.

"Do I have to be here?" he muttered.

I didn't answer. I felt my head sinking toward the table every moment that dragged by.

Two more hours passed.

"I'm going to go watch television," my bear said.

"Okay," I replied softly.

Two more hours and I took off my glasses, cleaning them on my shirt. I stared at my white frosted cake with its candles and its "Happy Birthday" that I had put on myself because nobody remembered to give me a cake.

"Please, somebody come," I whispered.

Two more hours and I saw my bear shut off the lights and go to bed.

I put my face in my hands. "I should have known." I felt tears well up behind my waterline and almost fall onto the wooden table. "I should have-"

My door crashed open and a loud voice called out, "What's up, bro! Sorry I'm late!"

He had kicked the door open and was holding a six pack of beer and a tub of ice cream. His glasses were slightly crooked and his hair was a mess.

I shoved my glasses back onto my face. They had been on my table and now were on my nose. I sort of froze because that had scared the living daylights out of me, him crashing through my door like some kind of rabid moose.

"Yo, dude!" he yelled out.

My mouth fell open and then I smiled, scrubbing my fists to erase the tears from under my glasses. I stood up, walking towards him a little faster than normal.

I hugged him tightly around his shoulders and he stood still. "Thanks, Al," I said softly. "Thank you so much."

Now I should have known that Alfred would never have forgotten. Not him. He was annoying as hell, but he always showed up. Every time.

"Want some cake?" I asked.