Chapter 13: Happy Birthday
1765 Words
The butler let the words sink in. A period of silence took over the conversation. Audrey seemed to be regretting her actions, lost in thought. The butler excused himself for a moment and walked in the pantry from where he came out with a gift box.
"Do you know why I have survived this past seven years and why I haven't left?" He asked his gaze still fixed on the box, he was feeling the words inscribed on it with his thumbs.
"No, you tell me"
"I keep my head down. Stomach their bullshit for my job means a lot to me. Because of your father my family has something to eat and a roof over their heads, my kids have gone to school...it's priceless what he has done for me and I feel like I'll forever be in his debt"
"Thank you"
"But that's not the reason I haven't left. I've made enough money to live my own life somewhere in the woods to let the sunrise wake me up and watch the sunset seated on a cliff with a small music player"
He raised his gaze and pursed his lips then put the gift box on the kitchen table, went back to his wisdom posture.
"I haven't left because of you and the promise I made to your mother. Happy birthday kid, I know you no longer celebrate your birthday. But I just wanted you to know that someone cares, it doesn't have to be your father and you have to let your mum rest in peace, she can't do that when you're shunning away from your own happiness. It’s always a choice you have to make because all of us are always going through something”
"Thank you, I'd hug you again but who knows what they will accuse us of doing this time? But I'll just ahead and hug you"
With that "f**k the world" attitude she hugged the family butler again. Uncontrollable tears of joy welled up her eyes as he stroked her back and kissed her hair. It was true she hated her own birthday, the date coincided with the date her mother was diagnosed with the terminal illness that she succumbed to. But even then, her father ought to have remembered, or her pretentious step-mother who claimed to Love her.
"Before you open the gift, one last thing" the butler broke free from her lousy hug and dashed to the pantry again.
Audrey waited patiently wiping the tears and trying to compose herself. It had been a roller coaster of a day, a wave of emotions with the highs and the lows. The butler emerged with a heart-shaped small beautiful cake, a candle on top and a manila paper-made cone shaped cap that she put on her head. It barely fit but it served the purpose.
"Make a wish"
She wished for her father's long life and safety and her mother to rest in peace before blowing off the candle. A knife was brought and she cut the cake, the two of them ate it with a glass of water.
"Now the gift. I'm not sure if you'll like it"
"A golden locket!"
"You probably hate it. Sorry I can get you something else"
"It's beautiful. I love it"
"Open it" he said patiently waiting for ger reaction, she raised her gaze with pride, "Your mother's picture should always remind you that she is with you at all times, the eagle represents values of honesty, truth, majesty, strength, courage, wisdom, power and freedom. They fly around the skies because of their special connection with the supreme being. Lean on God when everyone else seems too busy for you"
"This is the best gift and birthday I've had in a long time. Once again thank you"
"You're welcome kid. Now these old bones have to go and rest"
"Goodnight"
"Goodnight kid"
Audrey put on the locket, it looked beautiful around her neck, she kissed it and confidently walked to living room. There was no sign of her menace of a brother which was cool. For close to a minute she stood at the beginning of the flight of stairs, looked around and with a heavy heart and exhaled. Gone were the days when those walls felt like home, a sanctuary of some sort. And yet she was not going to give up the fun of being in a place she called home, part of it was the people in it and not just the walls and expensive furniture, marble floors and expensive electronic equipment. As she went up the stairs her resolution was to adapt to being totally invisible.
*******
Since that exchange with his son, Klein was not enjoying a tinge of peace from his wife. She didn't hide the fact that she was angry at him even at the dinner table that they graced alone, Mason was a no show. One of the maids had to take his dinner to his room. And now it was time to sleep and she was still angry, a Berlin wall of pillows separated the two portions of the massive bed equally. No cuddles and smooches for the wicked. He couldn't sleep so he switched on the bedside lamp and sat resting his back, cleared his throat thinking maybe she was going to get the signal and wake up.
"Hunnie, I can't go on like this can we talk?"
"It's right about time Mike" she quickly got up too as though it was the exact words she was waiting for. He marveled at the new attitude.
"Look at how lively you look Maryse"
"You're back to your senses that's why. You accept fault?"
"Yes mum"
"So what next? What are you going to do about it?"
"Apologize to that little spoilt brat"
"Don't call him that" she hissed under a muffled breath.
"Okay, okay. My son, your baby boy and your greatest creation. Are we cool?"
"Not until you both come back here laughing as friends"
"Easy, watch me melt the young lad’s heart with my sweet tongue" he rolled off the bed in his sky-blue silky pajamas and slid in his slides.
Confidently, he marched out of the room, the last stop was Mason's room. He walked down the hallway gassing himself up. It was not such a big deal wasn't it? He was just a teenager, one he had made and he was feeding. The first knock went unanswered, the second, heavy and authoritative this time was followed by the door flying open.
"What?" Mason asked rudely opening the door ajar.
"Can we talk man. Your mum is mad at me, at both of us actually because you act like am your age mate yet am your father. Do you know how many children out there wish they had dad's like me?"
"Plenty, I'm lucky. Come in old man" he opened the door fully and showed him in.
"This room looks tidy"
"I'm tidy. You expect me to be dirty?"
"Not really" he made himself comfortable on the bed, Mason remained standing his arms tucked his gaze fixed on his father who was still recovering from the shock of his son's calmness and change of attitude. To say the least he was expecting him to shut the door in his face.
"So, what's up?"
"I came to talk about you and this defiant attitude you've been showing lately"
"You really don't know me"
"What's that supposed to mean"
"We haven't been cool, in like forever dad. I don't remember you taking me for fishing or to Disney land, I don't remember you coming to my first game at school or driving me there, I don't remember us camping or doing anything fun together. I don't remember you celebrating my birthday"
He smiled and frowned almost immediately, what an instable lousy kid he had sired, "if I remember so well you've had all that unless you just didn't want it yourself"
"That's the problem isn't it? You were not there, your money was. There is a difference"
The point his teenage son was trying to drive home might be very simple for you to grasp but for Mike Klein it wasn't. He didn't understand why his kid would complain he was spending a lot of money on him instead of time with him. While growing up he would have used some money instead of his drunkard inconsiderate father and poverty, he just didn't get it. Anyway, for the sake of peace he was willing to pretend like he did and get it over with. After all, their problems couldn't be solved on a single day.
"I'm sorry son, for everything really. For trying to patronize you. You're grown, I haven't been around to see you grow, my bad. I'm sorry for not being there when I should have. Above all, am sorry for saying I love Maeve more. All of you are my kids and you both hold an equal place in my heart"
"Come on man"
"I'm trying here"
"I know. It's just awkward to see you apologize. It's something am not used to"
"Does that mean we're cool. Because if we aren't imma have to sleep in the guest room"
"It's that serious?"
"Yeah, but don't get any ideas"
"Okay, I just didn't imagine a day would come where you comfort will be mine to decide"
"Kid, let's go. And get that frown of your face she needs to be sure we're cool" he left the bed and grabbed his hand.
"Wow! You mean like right now?"
"Yes, she was categorical when she said we should both show up smiling"
"Weird. Let's go"
The father and son duo left the son's room when they got in the hallway Mason stopped abruptly.
"What?" asked Klein looking worried.
"I have to apologize for being a d**k sometimes"
"To be fair Most of the time"
"Okay but you get the point"
"We cool...ready now?"
They both knocked the bedroom door. Maryse shouted a hasty ‘come in’ followed by Mike turning the knob and opening the door both of them trying to look as happy as they could be.
"You're both terrible at faces. Anyway, you talked?"
"Yes"
"That was fast"
"Unlike women, we don't fumble around with words and accusations. Straight to the point"
"Hmm" She said looking at them closely. For them it felt like her calm blue eyes were penetrating their chests like X-rays and seeing their hearts pound from fear, "I believe you, Goodnight Mason"
"Goodnight mum"
That was some relief. At least for the time being.
- Writer
