The Long Lost Daughter

6 Celebration

Penelope

I spent the rest of the day in my room packing I do not have much because it is mostly just my clothes. I have never been one to collect anything or hoard items. So the packing process is simple. I plan on buying most everything once I get to California so my clothes is pretty much all I have to worry about. Once I am done with majority of my packing I decide to relax on my bed and continue watching TV. There is nothing good on so I end up watching murder mysteries. Normally I would watch a movie like Twilight, but something about that movie does not seem right anymore after all I learned over the last couple of days.  

About an hour later I hear the front door open downstairs. Aunt Rae must be getting home from work. I guess she did not go to the gym because she would not be home until 7pm if she did and right now it is 6pm. 

As I head down stairs I hear more than one voice. That must mean that Aunt Rae is not here alone, but who could it be? As I get off the last step and walk around into the kitchen I hear “SURPRISE!" 

Not only is my aunt standing in the kitchen but so is Ashley and Josh. There is a cake on the counter, as well as three different presents. These people know I hate celebrating my birthday and it is now the day after, so there is no reason for us to be celebrating. I was looking forward to finally talking to Rae. 

I don’t want to look disappointed so I just respond with a half hearted “Thanks.”

“I know your birthday was yesterday but we couldn’t let another day pass without celebrating you a little bit. I mean you are 18 now!” My aunt says coming around the counter and engulfing me in a hug. She leans closer to my ear and whispers "We will talk later." 

Aunt Rae pulls away and looks into my eyes giving me a slight smile. This gives me the hint that this is not the time or place for us to talk. I nod my head so she knows I understand. 

“Yeah but you really didn’t have to” I say reluctantly in response to everyone. 

I truthfully hated having all the attention me, which is the main reason I hate celebrating my birthday. I decide that I am going to put a smile on my face and at least try to enjoy this celebration. After all it is most likely the last birthday I will get to celebrate with them. 

Ashley per usual is not going to let me get away with being sad and cranky. Sometimes I swear she is worse than Rae at not letting me be depressed. So sensing my uneasy mood she steps forward and embraces me in a hug as well, “I am sorry your birthday did not go perfectly and I am sorry if my drinking antics ruined your day. Let’s just enjoy your cake and open your presents.” 

I nod and she releases me from her hug. Apparently everyone wants to give me a hug because Josh walks over to me with open arms. He wraps me in another awkward hug and says “Happy belated birthday. I know you didn’t see me yesterday but I am glad you are healed and feeling better.”

I completely forgot that Josh was the one that found me with the bloodied head yesterday morning. I wonder why he does not think that it is weird that my head is fully healed. Hopefully he does not think much about it. 

Hoping to change the subject and moment, I pull out of his embrace and address everyone, “You guys didn’t have to get me anything.”

“Yes we did its your birthday!” Aunt Rae tells me. 

"Come on grumpy let's have some cake!" Ashley exclaims clapping her hands. 

After sitting through the most horrendous rendition of the happy birthday song I have ever heard and blowing out the candles, we all enjoyed a slice of cake. They decide that we should all move to the couch so everyone can sit and watch me open my presents. 

Opening presents in front of a crowd is always my least favorite part about birthdays because I become so stressed about my reactions to the presents. It’s not that I am not grateful for my gifts or that I don't like them. I just hate having to give enough emotion to try and show how appreciative I am. It is just a stressful situation for me. 

Josh is the first one to present me with his gift with the excitement I have gotten used to getting from him. Josh is always a happy guy and I am glad that he brings that happiness into Aunt Rae's life. I open up the box and remove the tissue paper from inside to reveal a little gift card to Home Goods with a note attached saying 

Here is a gift card with $300 to help you get a head start on furnishing and decorating your apartment in California. It is going to be a great adventure and I hope that this helps in some way. 

Love, 

Josh 

Though it is just a gift card, I truly appreciate this gift. It feels great knowing that this group of people support me and my decision to take on a life in California. The gift is so useful and I actually love it I don't have to fake the smile on my face when I turn and tell him "Thank you very much Josh. I really appreciate it."

"You're very welcome. I was going to try and buy you clothes but I decided to stick to what I know, gift cards" he explains. Josh has never stepped in and tried to be my Dad, he always been nice to me and even though I have only known him for a short period of time I can say he has been a positive male influence in my life. 

"Trust me you should stick to gift cards" Ashley says shuttering and shaking her head. I make a mental note to ask her about that later. 

Looking to the next little box, I know immediately it is from Ashley because the small box is wrapped in a pretty pink wrapping paper with a purple bow on top. These colors are her favorite, and even though she knows I am not into frilly girly colors I giggle a little knowing it is just Ashley. 

Upon opening the box I am looking down at a charm bracelet. It’s a beautifully sized charm bracelet. Not one that is big and chunk but the loops of this one are just big enough to fit the charms. The only charms hanging from the bracelet, are two silver flat charms that has one in the shape of Arizona and one in the shape of California.

I look to Ashley and she has the biggest grin on her face and she points to the charm bracelet I have always seen on her wrist. Mixed in with all of the other charms are the two same silver charms on my charm bracelet. “I got myself the same ones. I got you the Arizona one because it is where we met and the California because that is where your future is. I got myself the California one as well so I will always know where my best friend is.” 

I jump up and run over to her and give her the biggest hug. Though we have only known each other for the short amount of time, she has always been there for me and I can finally say I have a best friend. It is truly one of the best gifts I have ever received because it is so thoughtful. 

After returning to my spot on the couch my aunt stands up and exclaims “My turn!”

Aunt Rae hands me a polka dotted gift bag. After removing the tissue paper off the top I reveal a shoe box. I was needing a new pair of chucks so I am happy to see the familiar box. 

“Nice I really needed some new shoes” I tell Rae. 

She snuggles up closer to Josh and says, “Open them up, see if you like them and if they are the right size. If you don't like them I can always return them.”

I do as I’m told and as I open the box I am surprised to see a set of car keys. The keys have the label of Toyota on them. I look to my aunt and she just nods holding the biggest smile on her face. I look to Ashley and Josh and they all have the same damn expression. 

“What is this?” Is the only thing I can think to ask. 

“They are keys to your new car! Well its not new, but its new to you. I know how long you have been talking about wanting a Prius so you could save money on gas and so you could have a reliable car in California” Rae exclaims. 

“You bought me a car?” I ask still in complete shock. 

“Yes and if you want—“ I cut off my aunt by getting up and running through the front door towards the drive way. I can hear everyone giggling as I leave. 

I instantly know which car is mine because it is parked in the driveway and it has a giant red bow on it. It is just what I wanted, a little white Prius. I thought I was going to have to save up money and get around with my bike and public transport in California once I got there, but not anymore! I jump up and down and turn to see everyone smiling at me in the door way. 

I run to my aunt and give her the biggest hug I have ever given anyone. I am so appreciative of this gift and I hope my aunt knows that. Regardless of if this woman is my biological aunt or not she is the most amazing woman in my life. She has showed me what unconditional love is and her not being my actual aunt proves that further for me. I may not have had my Mom my whole life but my Aunt Rae has been enough for me. She took on the role as my leader and never thought twice about the effect it would have on her life. 

Through all of the hurt and the pain I have endured in my life, my aunt has always loved me. This woman has taught me what real love is and how to accept it. Real love doesn’t leave. When you really love someone you stick it out and show up. That is exactly what my Aunt Rae has done for me.