Chapter 21 - Emma’s Eleventh Birthday
Emma changed her mind.
She wanted a party.
Small.
Backyard.
Eight friends.
Chocolate cake.
No pink.
Mark?
She said:
“He can come for cake.”
That was progress measured in frosting.
Diane?
“No.”
Richard?
“Yes.”
Mark arrived early.
He asked before entering.
Technically still my property.
Emotionally still complicated.
“Come in.”
He brought no giant gift.
Emma had requested art supplies.
He gave art supplies.
At cake time, everyone gathered.
I noticed Mark move to the edge.
Emma noticed too.
“Dad.”
He looked.
“You can stand here.”
She pointed beside Lily.
He did.
Ten? Now eleven candles.
Emma reached.
No one slapped.
She lit.
We sang.
Then before blowing them out, she looked at Mark.
He looked terrified.
She said:
“No speech.”
He nodded.
She blew.
That was all.
Afterward he cried in his car.
May you like
Not at table.
Good.
