A Birthday Surprise
When I got to work the next morning, Caitlyn came to talk to me right away. We spent a bit apologizing to each other, ensuring each other that apologies weren’t necessary, then apologizing for the earlier apology. It went on like that for an hour, at which point the robot’s clock must have kicked in, and it interrupted us with a cheerfully beeped “HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEANETTE.”
My what now?
OHMIGOSH
How did I forget my birthday?
“How did you forget your birthday?” Caitlyn asked. I couldn’t explain it.
“Stuff! I was busy and … things.”
“That’s okay!” she smiled. “I booked us seats at Chez Llama, we head over after work.”
But when we got there, all they had was two separate tables, for five of us. I was surprised to see Kimberly and Sergio, but they both gave their birthday wishes, and I think we were all going to be fine. Skylar arrived as well, and it was great to see her looking so good after childbirth. Which must have happened…. yesterday?
It was weird to have Caitlyn sitting alone, but she assured me she was fine.
“I get to talk to you every day at work,” she reminded me. “This is time to hang out with your friends!”
I guess. She was close enough to carry on conversation, so it worked out.
After dinner, and several glasses of wine, the waitress brought out the cake. I silently wished Aiden could have made it, and blew out the candles.
Apparently Skylar can play the trumpet. Where was she keeping that?
The waitress came by with a steaming hot tray of more wine.
The cake was amazing, the wine great, and the friends fantastic. It was a wonderful night out, I couldn’t thank Caitlyn enough for organizing it.
Sergio even stuck around long enough to help pay for dinner, even though Caitlyn argued that she had it. We said our good nights, and they all wished me the best for the next year.
Late into the night, I trundled home. Next year? Good grief. So this is 30, eh? All adult, apparently.
Time to get on with life, I suppose.