A Very Happy Birthday

He was once again feeling comfortable in his own skin, standing inside the classroom he once stood as a fourteen year old boy, looking out the window of his former high school which now turned a little rusty and sad. It was not his idea to come here, but there he was.

He watched Sally as she stumbled above the tiny gap - that clearly stood the test of time- in between the benches outside and chuckled to himself remembering how Michael nearly broke his leg once during 9th grade.

“Careful,” he spoke out of habit, but of course Sally could not hear him. No shame, she was fine. She was growing into a fierce young girl who can definitely take care of herself, which made him happy. She would need that strength, he knew, for the world was a harsh place for a woman. We shall head back, he thought or else they would be late and that would be inconvenient. Mika would be quite angry if dinner ran late. Sally was staring back at the building as he retreated from the window.

He walked back towards the exit, exactly from where he came in, walking through the corridors from memory, counting the steps downwards ten, nine, eight… Lenny used to do this as well, he thought; he wondered how she was doing. He have not heard from her since 2019. It has been six years now, so long ago it seemed.

He found himself at the gates without realizing he arrived, Sally and Lexi - her beloved nanny - were already there.

“We should head back,” Sally said, “mama would be furious if we are late.”

“Agreed,” Lexi answered looking back towards the school, her eyes swept past him “she would also be furious if she found out we were here, so let’s keep it as our little secret shall we?”

Lexi was a smart woman. Sally smiled knowingly and nodded. She took Lexi’s hand without another word and they all started walking back to the house.

Today was a special occasion, it was his birthday. He wasn’t necessarily fond of his birthdays, never complained if it was celebrated but also never minded if it wasn’t. Now in the past few years it had become a thing for him too. Mika was already waiting for them when they arrived and Sally quickly rushed to the kitchen after washing her hands.

“Did you start without us mummy?” she asked.

“Of course not my darling, I only took the ingredients out that’s all.” He heard Mika’s voice for the first time that day, it was always a joyful tune, like tiny bells around Christmas time, her voice sang when she spoke.

Sally has insisted on baking a cake in his honour, as she always did, but this time it was his 45th and she was extremely excited. Lexi retreated to her room after excusing herself, knowing too well that this ritual was a family matter that is better left alone. He sat down on Mika’s armchair in the living room for a change because it had the best view of the open kitchen and watched Sally and Mika dance around the kitchen island baking; Sally making a mess of things while Mika tried to clean up after her.

His wife was a force of nature, he knew he was too lucky to have met her and she was most likely the best thing that has ever happened to him. They met during high school, she was a friend of Lenny’s and she was kind enough to agree helping him for a project once. He knew right then and there he would marry her. He felt like he was going to burst into flames when he proposed and then aflame when she said yes. Ever since he thanked his lucky stars, she was always kind and most of all tough, during the good times and the bad. She was the best mother he could have ever hoped for his children.

Mika and Sally bowed out of the kitchen after putting the cake in the oven and she asked her daughter to wash up and be ready for dinner in ten. He checked the clock, five to seven. He had time. He watched as Mika laid down the table and sat at the very end, and started staring out the window as the sun went down, catching the final rays of sunshine on her face. Only then he stood up and went towards her, his hand stretched out to caress her hair when Sally rushed down the stairs startling them both.

He halted abruptly as Mika stood, “Finally young woman, come on sit down you must be hungry.”

Sally walked towards his spot at the table and pulled out his chair, a plain habit she had since she was six. He smiled at the sincerity of the situation and his daughters ambition towards tradition as he sat down while Mika returned with the food with a sad smile on her face. She did not have to look to know Sally pulled out her husbands chair again.

They chatted for about half an hour and he listened, as they both stole glances towards his side of the table now and then. When the oven chimed, Mika stood up, took the cake out and brought it to the table. Sally went into the livingroom to bring out candles, “Sorry I could only find these two,” she said, “they were used before but it should be okay right?” She did not wait for an answer as she sat down and helped Mika lit them up.

“Would you like to say a few words?”

There was a brief silence. “Sure,” he said reluctant to speak at first, but he continued, “Thank you for doing this every year my dear. I love you both so much.” He could feel his eyes tearing up. Mika and Sally were still staring at the cake and the two candles which were now burned halfway.

Mika spoke then, “Sure honey,” she said, “I could say a few words if you like me to.”

“You don’t have to if you don’t feel like it.” she assured. “I know you get sad.”

Mika then held their daughters hand in hers and in the sweetest voice she said, “You know I only get sad because I loved him so very much, right Sal? But sadness is okay too, it is all the love you never get to give and it is a very beautiful thing to feel sometimes because it reminds you of how much you love someone, even when they are gone.”

It was then when he had the sudden urge to stand up and hug them both until they felt his presence, even for a second, but he knew it would be of no use. Still he thanked his lucky stars, to be able to visit them once a year on his birthday was the gift that kept on giving. He got to see Sally grow up, Mika grieve and get back to living just for the sake of Sally and he kept visiting every year to see them make a ceremony out of his birthday. He just wished they could sense him somehow, know that he was there with them, celebrating, loving, missing. “You mother is right you know.” he said without thinking. “It is why I feel sad too.”

“I know,” Sally said not taking her eyes off the burning candles. She paused for a few seconds, clearly weighing a thought in her head, then she turned staring him right in the eyes and smiled as she said, “We love you too daddy, happy birthday.”