Chapter 26 - THE BIRTHDAY WITHOUT THEM
Noah turned eight eighteen months after the superhero cake.
He asked for no large party.
“Just people I like.”
His list:
Me.
Two school friends.
His teacher.
Ashley.
Emma.
That surprised me.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Grandma?”
“No.”
“Grandpa?”
He thought.
“Maybe next year.”
Boundaries could be specific.
Ashley brought pizza.
Emma brought Noah a model airplane.
No expensive electronics.
No one discussed money.
The cake had one tier.
Chocolate.
Blue frosting.
Noah chose blue again.
I nearly suggested another color.
Stopped.
Blue belonged to him before the worst birthday.
Trauma did not get permanent ownership.
When candles came, Emma stood far from the cake.
Noah noticed.
“You can come closer.”
She did.
Nothing happened.
He blew out eight candles.
Everyone clapped.
May you like
I cried quietly.
No one filmed me for evidence.
