Danielle plans for Fig's birthday

For my 40th birthday, Fig went all out and made my day really wonderful. She had gotten me my favorite cake: chocolate gnosh. She had reserved a table at my favorite restaurant: Red Lobster, where she decorated it with balloons and my favorite flowers: tulips. She even got one of her musician friends to bring his guitar and serenade me. It was so incredible I was almost embarrassed. Well, I know that 33 isn't like the typical big numbers like 16, 21, 30, 40, 50, etcetera, but I'm going to act like it is anyway. I can't wait another 7 years for her to turn 40 before I make her feel as special and loved as she made me feel last year.

I've been working on this in secret most of the month of August. Fig's favorite restaurant is Outback Steakhouse, so I have reserved a table there. Her favorite cake is Swiss Cake Roll, and I've got that all taken care of. Fig isn't into flowers. I don't know why but she's seems to be crazy about the plant Xanadu. So instead of balloons and flowers, I've got a banner, signs, and a big potted Xanadu. She's going to crack up. I don't have a musician to join the party and serenade her, so I invited one of our funniest friends - Dee. Dee will make jokes and make Fig laugh and that will have to suffice since I can't play guitar.

Fig has no idea about this. She thinks were just going to dinner together. I'm so excited about the surprise. I called around and invited some people we know. I don't know who exactly will show up, but I'm guessing our table will have about ten people.

As I was cleaning up my home space, and thinking about some cosmetic repairs I'd like to have done on my car next month, Fig called me.

"Hey Fig," I answered, "What's up?"

"Nothing," she said with a sad tone in her voice, then added, "My Uncle wants to sell his house and move away."

"Why?" I asked confused, "I thought he loved that house. Where does he want to go?"

"You're missing the point," Fig said irritated, "What the hell am I going to do if he sells this house? I have nowhere to go."

"Oh, I see," I said understanding her bad mood, "You're worried."

"Duh," she said, "Wouldn't you be?"

I paused. She always forgets that since I'm eight years older than her, I've usually had to go through hard stuff before her. That's not true in every case with everyone, but with me and Fig, it's mostly true.

"A little, I guess," I said, "But I don't think you should worry about it right now. This is your birthday week. Don't spend it stressing out. Maybe your Uncle is just talking about ideas."

"No," she said, "He's not kidding around. I heard him on the phone with a real estate agent. He wants to go back to Virginia and help someone there. He doesn't want to worry about this house anymore."

"He won't give it to you?" I asked curiously.

"I can't afford to rent it or buy it," Fig said matter-of-factly. "He needs the money for his move I guess. If I was him, I'd probably do the same thing."

"I'm sorry Fig," I said realizing that she was very worried and knowing that change (especially regarding the comforts of home) is not easy.

"I guess something will come up or whatever," she said trying to be positive.

"Don't worry too much. You're not alone. I love you and I'm not going to let you go through anything hard all alone, ok?" I said trying to reassure her.

"Thanks," she said as if she was able to breath better again. "I'm gonna go take a hot shower. That should calm me down a bit."

When I got off the phone with Fig, I wondered if the birthday party in two more days would be just the thing she needed to cheer her up or would she be mad at me for putting her in the limelight while she was feeling anxious? It was too late to back out of it now. I guess I could only hope that she'd enjoy her 33rd birthday as much as I enjoyed my 40th.