Page 56 of Life, Love, and Other Messes

“How’s Dad?”

“He went golfing with the district superintendent the other day.” She went on to describe how important that was as though Dad wasn’t retired, then talked for several minutes about how sunburned his bald spot got and how she knew someone who got brain tumors from melanoma.

“I think he’ll be fine.”

“Well, you can’t be careful enough. Are you doing anything special for your birthday?”

Lisa turned to me quickly and I looked away. “No plans yet. As Dad says, it’s just another day.”

“No, no, it’s a big deal. Have you gotten our card?”

“Not yet. I’ll look for it.”

“The pastor says happy birthday and so does the rest of the staff.”

Goody. “Tell them thank you.”

“I will. Well, have a good day.”

“I’ll try. Talk to you later.”

“Okay then. Bye.”

Lisa threw a pillow at me. “When the fuck is your birthday?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Were you planning on telling me this?”

“I don’t know…I guess. I mean it really is just another day.”

“No, it’s a cake day. That is very important. We at least need to have cake.”

I had to laugh. “I teach tomorrow.”

“When are you done?”

“I’m usually home by eight thirty.”

“Well, we will have cake at eight thirty. Jesus. You don’t miss a cake day. Chocolate or white or?”

“Chocolate is always good.”

“I’m April fifteenth, by the way,” Lisa said. “Another cake day.”

“I will not forget.”

“Good. Now why does the pastor say happy birthday?”

“My mom works in the church office. I grew up in that damned building.”

Lisa’s face went white. “I’m so sorry if I’ve said anything to offend you.”

“Don’t worry at all. I don’t subscribe.”

“Did you when you were younger?”

I thought about that. “Not really. It was more so a source of trauma than anything else all along.”