Once he was asleep, I prayed for him. I could only imagine how the things he saw could affect his mental health. It always seemed like it didn’t, though, or maybe he just didn’t want me to see it. He had a heart of gold, though, and was doing what God called him to do. I was so proud of him.
As I drifted off to sleep, I thanked God for my life, my marriage, and Mikayla.
It was the day of Mikayla’s birthday party, and even though she might not remember much from it, Janiyah still went all out. I informed the hospital not to call or page me. I was off for the day, and I wanted to keep it that way. I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of celebrating this milestone. This was the first of many birthdays with Mikayla, and I wanted each one to be memorable. I wasn’t going to be that father that missed important events, and birthdays were important. This one in particular was even more special because had she been in the car with her parents, she might not have been here. To Janiyah and me, that was even more of a reason to celebrate.
Janiyah had put the final touches on everything while I kept Mikayla occupied. The night before, we put up the decorationsand set out the tables for the food and gifts. The party was at our house, and it was nothing big, since we didn’t have a whole lot of family. We extended the invitation to Monica’s and Trevor’s parents, but we weren’t sure if they were going to make it.
We did know that my parents, along with Janiyah’s grandmother, would be there. I could only imagine how many gifts they got Mikayla. Onyx had come into the emergency room, so I invited him and his family. Their son, Obsidian, was around the same age as Mikayla, and we thought it would be a good idea to have a couple of kids at the party. Janiyah and I didn’t talk to that many people, so there was really no one else to invite. No matter how many people came, Mikayla would have a good time.
“Aww, don’t you look so cute.” Janiyah gushed as she entered Mikayla’s room.
Janiyah had gotten Mikayla a dress that made her look like a little princess. She had small earrings in her ears and a necklace. Janiyah had done her hair in a few ponytails, and she’d even gotten her a crown.
“She does, doesn’t she?” I took pictures of Janiyah and Mikayla as they stood in the middle of Mikayla’s room. “You look good too, baby.”
Janiyah had on a dress similar to Mikayla’s, but less princess like, with a pair of sneakers. Her hair fell down her back in loose curls, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t stay like that for long.
“Thank you.” Janiyah blew me a kiss, and I pretended to catch it. “Everyone should start arriving soon, so I guess we can head down.”
“Works for me.” I’d gotten dressed before spending time with Mikayla, so the only thing I had to do was put on some sneakers. I wasn’t fancy like them. I just had jeans and a shirt. Comfortable enough, but decent enough for pictures because I knew there would be plenty of them.
Majority of the party stuff was set up inside, but since the temperature had been unseasonably warm, I rented a bouncy house.
“I see you added more stuff,” I mentioned as we made it downstairs.
Mikayla’s eyes lit up, and she squealed. She looked up at Janiyah like she was asking for permission, and as soon as Janiyah told her she could check it out, she ran off. There was a small ball pit in the middle of the living room, and Mikayla ran straight to it.
Janiyah looked at me and smiled. “I couldn’t help it. I found some other things yesterday while I was out. I had to get the ball pit.”
“I’m sure you did,” I teased. I wouldn’t be surprised if she stays in there for the whole party.” I chuckled.
The theme of the party was a safari. There were stuffed animals spread around the room, as well as big, fake trees. Janiyah even had teepees in the backyard. Even the food was safari themed.
We had sandwiches shaped like animals and a lion’s mane veggie tray, among other things.
A few minutes later, the doorbell rang, so I went to answer while Janiyah and Mikayla played in the ball pit.
“Hey, Son,” my father greeted when I opened the door.
I took the gift bags from him, then hugged him before I kissed my mom on the cheek.
“I can tell she’s having fun already,” my mom said as she took off her coat.
As soon as we entered the living room, Mikayla climbed out of the pit and ran straight to my mother and father. She let them love on her for a few minutes, then ran right back to what she was doing.
Janiyah had gotten out to greet my parents, then she put the gifts on the table.
Not too much later, Onyx, his wife, Maverick, and their children arrived. Their oldest, Turquoise, was kind of big for the ball pit, but that didn’t stop her from playing with her brother and Mikayla.
“Thanks for inviting us,” Onyx said as he sat next to me on the couch.
“Of course. I know we aren’t close because you all antisocial and shit, but I’d like to think that we were cool enough for our families to mesh. Plus, your wife is cool.”
Onyx laughed as he looked over to where Janiyah and Maverick were talking, more than likely about one of Janiyah’s books.
“First of all, I’m not antisocial. I just don’t mess with too many people, but you alright.” He smirked. “But nah, for real. I don’t mind building a friendship. Besides my son, I’m surrounded by women in the house, so I may need to get out sometimes.”
“I got you. Let me ask you a question.” I got serious for a minute.
