“We’ll see you in a little bit, Beck.” Mom circles her arm around my shoulder as she smiles at my friend. “And thanks again.”
“Remember you are strong,” Beck whispers in my ear before taking leave of us.
Mom, Nana, and Hadley prop me up as we enter the room, knowing I need the physical and moral support. Dawn and Hugh are dancing, and Will is twirling Helena around to The Carpenters’s classic hits. It reminds me of that one Christmas we had together and how we spent hours dancing around the kitchen. Crushing pain presses down on my chest as I contemplate how I probably won’t ever get to dance with Garrick like that again.
Life is unfair.
Why did this have to happen to one of the best people I know?
Why did God do this to us?
Hudson is sitting beside Garrick’s bed, talking quietly to him, while John and Jacob are stuffing themselves with yummy goodies. I baked Garrick’s favorite cookies and cupcakes, and there are store-bought chips, candy, and chocolates. Hugh brought some sparkling wine and nonalcoholic wine for the adults and soda for the boys.
Birthday banners are draped upon the walls and balloons and streamers fill the rest of the space. A frosted red velvet birthday cake rests on a cake stand at the top of the room. I got up early before work today to bake it.
Last year, for Garrick’s twenty-first birthday, the cake Dawn had ordered for his official birthday had three different layers. One layer was red velvet, and Garrick fell in love. I had never baked one before, but I found a recipe online, and it was easy enough to follow.
I wish he were able to taste it.
There will be other birthdays, I try to remind myself, but it’s getting harder and harder to believe my own words. To believe he will wake. I should not be thinking these thoughts, tonight of all nights, but that stupid bitch has put me in a foul mood, and I’m struggling to snap out of it.
We don’t stay too long. Everyone does their best to enter into the birthday spirit, for Garrick’s sake, but Ivy ruined the buzz, and the strain is evident in the air. I sit beside Garrick, holding his hand and talking to him. Everyone opens their gifts one at a time, telling him what it is. I unwrap the special edition signed Byron Stanley book and place it in his hand, running his fingers back and forth across the pages. I found this copy in a local bookstore, so it’s not personalized, but maybe someday I can find a way to get it inscribed to Garrick.
After, I tuck it back into my purse to safeguard for him. I don’t trust Ivy not to burn it in spite.
We light candles on the cake and sing happy birthday to him. I can scarcely push the words out past the knot in my throat, and a few tears well in my eyes. The twins blow out the candles, and we eat cake and toast Garrick.
“Do you want to go, honey?” Mom asks, seeing me wilting.
This is harder than I thought it would be. Garrick should be here, spinning me around the room, blowing out his own candles, stuffing himself full of cake, and unwrapping his own gifts. I’m finding it increasingly difficult to remain upbeat, and it feels like I’m close to losing it.
“Yes. It’s time.” I tap out a quick text to Beck while we say our goodbyes.
Will is a bit stiff as he gives me a quick hug. “Ellen is sorry she couldn’t be here.”
“It’s fine. I didn’t want her skipping her tutorial. Not this close to finals.”
“You did good, Stevie,” Hudson says, enveloping me in his arms. “You do him proud. He’s so lucky he has you. I can only hope one day I meet someone as devoted to me.”
“Thanks,” I whisper as I break out of our embrace. “And thanks for all the calls. I appreciate you checking in on me. You have kept me going on difficult days.”
“It’s the same for me, Stevie. I hate being so far away. It’s reassuring to know he has you here.”
“I’m looking forward to you coming home.”
“Me too. Hopefully, I’ll find an apartment somewhere close to you.”
“That would be great.”
Hudson kisses the top of my head. “Do not take a single word that bitch said to heart. Not a single word, you hear me?” He tilts my chin up. “She’s rotten to the core.”
“I’ll try not to.”
“I’ll find out what she’s up to,” Hugh promises, appearing at my side. “I’d like to say don’t worry, but Ivy can be vindictive.”
“Whatever it is, you can count on us for support,” Dawn adds, pulling me into an embrace. “Thanks for organizing all of this. You’re amazing.”
“Dawn is right.” Tears glisten in Hugh’s eyes as he hooks an arm around his wife’s waist. “You are truly amazing, Stevie. I’m not sure many girls would be here after all this time, let alone going to all this trouble.”
