A Different Kind Of Birthday

Mikey peered closely into the mirror.

“Nope, no wrinkles yet.”

It was Saturday and today he turned 10.  That was a lotta living.  Most of it perfect, but not all.  Like last year, when his dad left.  He and his mom had sat down to dinner one night. He asked where Dad was.

“Gone,” his mother replied.

“Gone?” questioned Mikey.

His mother nodded and that was it.  Mikey knew his dad had loved his mom.  He had brought her flowers all the time.  So did that mean his mom didn’t love his dad?

But Mikey didn’t have time to think about that; there were presents to open!  He flew down the stairs and into the kitchen.

“Morning Mikey!” his mother sang.  “Eat up, I have to go to the diner.”

Mikey looked at the table.  Syrup, butter, orange juice, where were his presents?

“How could there be no presents?” he wondered.  “Doesn’t Mom love me either?”

After his Mom left, Mikey went and gathered up his comic books and the bowl holding his goldfish.  Then he went to the garage and loaded everything into his wagon.

All day long, Mikey wandered his neighborhood. Where should he go?  He counted his change.  $3.53.  Was that enough to live on?  He started to ask his goldfish, Sammy, what he thought.  Oh no, he’d forgotten Sammy’s food!

Mikey rushed home, flung open the door then stopped.

Sitting on the couch with a red balloon and a small pile of presents was Mikey’s mom.  Crying.

“Mikey, where’ve you been!”

“I ran away.  You don’t love me any more,” said Mikey.  “You forgot my birthday.”

“Honey, I didn’t forget, I had to go to the diner to get my paycheck so I could buy your gifts.”

“Really?” asked Mikey.

“Happy Birthday, Sweetie."

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Word Count:  300