Chapter 26 - Another cake
Three years after the mud birthday, Noah turned thirteen.
No rocket theme.
Apparently rockets had become:
“a kid thing.”
He wanted a backyard movie night.
Fifteen teenagers.
Pizza.
Projector.
A cake because I refused to accept thirteen as too sophisticated for frosting.
Sofia was eighteen.
Home from college.
She came early to help.
Arturo was invited for the first hour.
His access had reopened carefully.
Lucía came.
No thirty-seven-person audience.
No champagne speeches.
At cake time, Sofia stood behind Noah.
He turned.
She raised both hands.
“Nothing.”
He stared suspiciously.
“Where’s the bucket?”
She winced.
Then realized he was smiling.
“You’re evil.”
He laughed.
“Too soon?”
“You’re the one who said it.”
She handed him the lighter.
He lit thirteen candles.
Arturo stood near the patio door.
Quiet.
Noah leaned forward.
Blew.
One candle stayed lit.
Everyone shouted.
He tried again.
Out.
Applause.
No mud.
No speech.
No adult lesson.
Sofia whispered:
“Happy birthday.”
Noah said:
“Thanks.”
Then cut his own cake.
May you like
He gave her the first piece.
I looked away before anyone saw my face.
