“For me?”
I giggle. “Yes, for you. Don’t you remember your own birthday?”
“Yeah, but no one else ever does.” He turns away and begins to cry, his thin shoulders trembling with each sob.
I throw my arms around him and squeeze him as tight as I can. “I’ll always remember your birthday because you’re my best friend and I love you.”
“You.” He pauses, sniffling softly. “You love me?”
“With all my heart,” I tell him, squeezing him tighter.
He faces me again and encircles me with his rail-thin arms, squeezing me as hard as I squeezed him. “I love you too,” he whispers with a shuddering breath. “With all my heart.”
The moonlight shines down on us through the window. That and the glow from the television is the only light in the tree house, though I always make sure to turn the brightness down so we aren’t caught.
I pull back and grab the black case off the table. “Open your gift first.”
“Did you buy all this stuff with your own money?” he asks, hesitantly taking the case from my grasp.
“Yep.” I grin at him. “I saved my allowance for two whole months.”
He starts crying again. “You didn’t have to do that for me. I don’t have any money to buy you anything for your birthday.”
“It’s okay, Sam. I wanted to do this for you.” I look down at the case clutched in his hand. “Open it.”
I bite down on my bottom lip as he reveals the digital watch. It’s blue, almost the same color as his eyes. That’s why I chose it out of all the other options.
“You like it?”
He smiles at me, and I smile back, happy to see the sadness leave his eyes.
“Yeah, very much. Thank you.”
I give him a quick peck on the cheek. “You’re welcome.”
I can’t believe we’re under the same roof again. We’re due for a long talk, but I can’t even bring myself to be in the same room with her. Earlier today, the woman formerly known as my mother strolled into the kitchen with a beaming smile and cheerful “Good morning.” I wanted to vomit; instead, I escaped to the nursery to unpack and organize.
That was two hours ago, but I’m still hiding out, surrounded by pink decor and baby items. I’m enjoying the peace and quiet while my baby daddy’s out. Though it’s Sunday, he left for the shop before sunrise to put the final touches on a rush order.
I inspect the small bookshelf I just finished putting together and nod in approval. A handyman I am not, but I did a damn good job. Now for the books. I clamber to my feet, which isn’t an easy task with my big belly, and pad across the hall to my bedroom. I stored the books in my closet for safekeeping.
Leah, the intellectual that she is, bought the books for my girls months ago, affirming,“It’s never too early to foster young minds.”I shake my head, recalling her serious tone. I swear that girl is an old soul.
As I pull the bag of books from the closet shelf, a shoebox tumbles out and lands at my feet. I go still, seeing a familiar blue watch lying among the scattered mementos.I can’t believe it.He still has it after all this time.
I put the books down and pick it up, reading the words written in permanent black marker on the back.
Best Friends Forever, Love Zilphia.
I remember writing those words like it was yesterday.
Rough fingers snatch the watch out of my hand. I spin around, coming face-to-face with a scowling Sandman. “What the fuck you doing?”
“N-nothing, I-I—”
His fingers lock around my wrist so tight that pain lances up my arm. “Stay out of my fucking business!”
“I didn’t touch it,” I whimper, afraid my bones might snap at any second. “It fell when I grabbed the books. I swear.”
