“I hope not. You haven’t said anything about celebrating your fiftieth birthday, so Shelley and I decided to do it for you.”
He didn’t know whether he was humbled by everyone’s excitement or embarrassed by all the attention. “I thought no one would remember.”
John grinned. “There was no chance of that happening. Your birthday’s two weeks after mine.”
“And John loves celebrating his birthday.” Shelley touched Joseph’s arm. “Adele’s so happy.”
He put aside his embarrassment when he saw the joy on his daughter’s face. She loved celebrating any occasion and couldn’t understand his reluctance to do something special on his birthday.
Carefully, she wheeled the cart closer. “Happy birthday, Dad! Do you like your surprise?”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I do. Did you make the cake?”
“Megan baked it at Sweet Treats, but I helped put the candles on the top.”
“It looks amazing.”
Mabel started singing “Happy Birthday,” and everyone joined in.
Even though his friends meant well, he wanted to fade into the background. When the singing was over, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Adele held his hand. “You should blow out the candles and make a wish.”
“Would you help me?”
She nodded and moved closer to the cake.
Crouching beside her, he whispered, “I’ll count to three. Are you ready?”
With a wide grin, she waited for the big moment.
“One, two…three!” They blew out the candles with a rush of air, sending their friends into another round of cheering. Instead of enjoying the moment, Joseph thought about the other birthdays he’d skipped, the relentless pressure he’d put himself and his family under. He’d achieved everything he wanted, but it had cost him his marriage, his health, and nearly his daughter.
Adele leaned against him. “Did you make a wish?”
“Do I have to?”
“Yes! Quick, before it’s too late.”
He closed his eyes and felt the warmth of Adele’s hand against his shoulder. His little girl was growing up, finding her place in the world, forging a future that one day could take her away from him. But, for now, she was happy. If he had to make a wish, it would be for Adele. He wished her even more happiness. For a future that was even brighter than the last three years.
When he opened his eyes, he smiled at his daughter. “Did I make my wish in time?”
“Just. Now we cut the cake.”
“When did you become so knowledgeable about birthday parties?”
“Since my last one, silly.”
John grinned. “I’m glad Adele hasn’t inherited your aversion to birthdays.”
He picked up the knife that was sitting on the cart. “She loves anything that involves cake.”
Adele grinned. “Especially if it’s chocolate.”
After he’d filled one plate with cake, Shona joined them. “Happy birthday, Joseph.”
“Thanks. I had no idea this was happening.”
