Birthday

The house was quiet as Amber opened the door and quietly shut it behind her. The realization of what had happened did not hit her just yet. She walked further into the house as she passed the remains of the party that had been going on only hours before. She wanted to cry and scream but nothing would come out. She sat on her couch and put her head in her hands. She sat in silence and just went over the conversation from this morning.

“Are you sure you can’t just take a day off,” Amber's father asked as he was hanging up the banner that read, ‘Happy Birthday Amelia and Amber’, “it is your birthday.”

“I don’t think a birthday is a reasonable excuse for a day off,” Amber chucked as she straightened her blouse,

“What if it’s also your grandmother's birthday, does that mean you get a day off?” Amber's grandmother, Amelia, asked as she walked into the kitchen.

“No Grammy even if it’s your birthday I still have to go into work, but I will be home right as the party starts, I promise,” Amber said as Amelia squeezed her cheeks.

“You work too hard my dear,” she said as Amber nodded her head,

“I know that I do but we're so short staffed that it can’t be helped but I promise to come home as soon as I can,” Amber said as she hugged her grandmother.

Her stomach growled, snapping her from her thoughts. She got up from the couch and went into the kitchen. Most of the food from the party was already eaten as she snacked on the vegetable tray that was left out. She walked to the refrigerator and went to open it, but the buzzing of her phone stopped her. She ignored the fridge for now and we to answer the phone. A smile crossed her face as her grandmother’s picture lit up her phone.

“Grammy, I was so- “Amber couldn’t finish her as she hears her father’s crying from the other end,

“Amber, honey, I’m so sorry. She didn’t make it,” his voice was broken as Amber stared blankly, the phone still pressed to her ear.

“I’m going to finish up her then I’ll be home honey,” her father said as the call ended.

Amber felt ice water flow through her veins as she wanted nothing to do but curl up and sob. Instead, she leaned against the counter and replayed the last call she took.

Work was dragging and she wanted nothing more than to get home and celebrate not only her birthday but also her grandmothers.

“Sorry that you’re having to stay later then you were supposed to,” her co-worker said as they greeted another customer.

“It’s fine, Diane said she was crushing to get her,” Amber said as she waved bye to a customer. Her phone buzzed as she saw her grandmothers picture popped up,

“Go on and take it,” her co-worker said as Amber walked to the breakroom.

“Hello?” Amber asked as she could hear the party going on in the background,

“Honey where are you? Your father is about to cut the cake” Amelia asked,

“I’m finishing up soon I promise but go one and cut the cake,” Amber said,

“I’ll right baby girl, I’ll save a slice for you for when you get here,” Amelia said as Amber smiled,

“Thank you, Grammy, I love you” Amber said,

“I love you more,” Amelia said hanging up as Amber spotted Diane coming in.

On the way home her father had called and said that Amelia wasn’t feeling well, and they were going to the hospital. Thinking about the cake Ambers stomach growled again as she went to the fridge. As she opened it her eyes widened and filled with tears. Sitting on the shelve was a single slice of chocolate cake with a candle stuck on the top.

‘Do Not Touch for Amber-Love Grammy’ was writing on a note. Amber broke down sliding to the floor as the tears fell freely finally. Who knew that a single slice of chocolate cake was capable of bringing someone to tears.