Prologue
“Tag, you’re it!” I screeched.
The backyard buzzed with the excited screams and laughter of my classmates. Some raced down the giant water slide with squeals of delight, while others chased each other across the grass, pizza in one hand and melting ice cream in the other. Bright pink and white balloons bobbed gently from the fence posts, bubbles floated through the warm summer air, and my favorite songs drifted from the speakers on the back porch.
The day was perfect.
“Sweetie, are you ready to sing ‘Happy Birthday’?” my mother beamed as she carried my sparkling pink-and-white cake down the back porch steps. Pink and white icing dripped down the sides, while thirteen glittering gold candles covered the top.
“Mama! It’s so pretty!”
Gushing, my mother set the cake on the table before kneeling down and cupping my face, bringing me closer to hers.
“I’m so glad you like it!”
My friends slowly wandered over from the yard, still dripping from the water slide, while their parents gathered behind them with smiles spread across their faces. The chatter settled into excited whispers as everyone circled around the table.
She stood back up, smiling.
“Are you ready? I think everyone’s ready to sing ‘Happy Birthday’!”
The familiar tune filled the backyard as everyone smiled, clapped, and sang together.
Reaching for Mom’s dress, I tugged gently, bringing her ear closer.
“I really wanted Daddy to be here...”
There I stood in my bright Barbie pink bathing suit, soaking wet from the slip and slide and water balloons. My friends surrounded me, grinning from ear to ear as they compared handfuls of candy they’d won from the party games and argued over who was going to get the biggest slice of cake. A long table overflowed with brightly wrapped presents, colorful bows spilling over the edges. My mom had made my dream cake after putting together the birthday party I’d always wanted. Even my annoying new little brother, when he wasn’t being passed around like a football by the adults, sat quietly in his little bouncer on the porch, happily drinking his bottle without making a single fuss.
Everything was perfect.
And yet...
The one thing I wanted wasn’t there.
He had promised.
Where was he?
I heard my mother sigh.
Gently taking my hands in hers, she knelt back down.
“I don’t know, baby. I’ve called him, and I’ve texted him. He hasn’t responded.”
Feeling the ache in my chest grow heavier, my mind desperately searched for an explanation.
“Wait, Mom. What if he’s hurt? What if he got into an accident?”
She hesitated, as though the words caught in her throat. It looked like she didn’t want to answer, but she knew she had to.
She was all I had.
“Sweetie, he’s not...” She paused, taking a shaky breath. “He’s just... not coming.”
Tears threatened to spill over.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched my friends’ parents gently encourage them back toward the water slide and games. Their voices dropped to quiet whispers as they glanced in my direction.
It felt like everyone knew something I didn’t.
“He promised he’d be here,” I whispered. “I-I got up early and asked him before he went to work this morning...”
The tears finally gave way.
“I told him... not to be late.” My voice cracked. “He promised...”
My mother pulled me into her arms.
“I know, baby...”
She held me for what felt like forever before finally pulling back.
“Well...” she said softly, forcing a small smile. “How about this? Why don’t we sing ‘Happy Birthday’ so your friends can start eating cake? You know how ice cream cake is. It won’t last forever.” She let out a tiny laugh, hoping I’d do the same. “And we’ll save your daddy a piece if he comes home.”
A bittersweet feeling settled over me, but I nodded.
I was grateful to everyone who had come to celebrate with me, but I couldn’t shake the weight of his broken promise hanging over the day.
After the song, it was finally time to blow out my candles and make a wish.
As everyone smiled and sang around me, I looked from face to face. My mom’s friends clapped along with warm smiles, my friends bounced excitedly as they waited for cake, and my mom never took her eyes off me. She discreetly wiped away a tear while gently bouncing my baby brother on her hip.
Even though she said we’d save Daddy a piece, I knew it would end up a melted mess.
Just like my heart.
I watched the candles flicker, their tiny flames dancing in the warm summer breeze.
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes.
Instead of making a wish...
I made a promise.
A promise to him.
I often wondered if, had I done something differently, he would’ve stayed.
You have to be pretty disappointed to leave your own daughter behind...
Right?
I carried that question with me for a long time.
But was it really true?
🌦⛈🌦⛈🌦⛈🌦
Don’t forget to COMMENT, VOTE, AND ADD TO YOUR LIBRARY! ❤️
