In which our hero adds another year.
My birthday is around a week before Christmas. This meant that I got a slew of presents in a short time. [This eventually became 8 vinyl albums total. Wha-hoo!]
Gone were the days when the teacher announced the birthday and you brought in cupcakes or treats for the whole class. Now it was just another day, unless you were a rich town girl who would have new clothes, purses, shoes, etc.
I didn’t make a big deal of it with Allie; I wasn’t sure if she considered me a sexy distraction or a real ‘boyfriend’. Later that morning, I found a card discreetly hidden in my trumpet case. It was something simple with a puppy on it that read generically “To a wonderful young man who makes me smile”. She signed it ‘A’ with a hand-drawn heart above her name. Hmmmm–a good sign.
Over the weeks, she discreetly gathered my preferences one at a time: her hair, clothes, lipstick, perfume, even my favorite color. I didn’t realize how intently she’d listened until I walked in for our rendezvous.
She mauled me when I was three steps in the door. “Happy birthday, cutie.” The tensions of the day melted in her arms. She had obviously worn heels; I could tell she was taller when we embraced.
In the vestibule, I saw she changed her nail polish to light blue. And she had her hair and clothes just as I preferred. I was so touched, I wiped away a tear. “Oh Allie, you didn’t have to do all this. I feel so special.”
“Don’t be stupid. I want to make you happy today. Did you just cry? Oh Jesus, another reason why you’re such a great boy. Sit back and let me give you some gifts.”
Oh boy.
Later, she leans back, leaving my lips like roasted beets. “I had planned something special, but it didn’t work out, I’ll see if it can happen later.”
But…..
“Doug wants to wish you a happy birthday too. And–guess what–we’re going to that new McDonald’s!”
Road trip!!! A little traveling music, if you please: