David meets her with a quick kiss on the lips. “Sounds perfect.”
After changing out of my work uniform and into my trademark ripped jeans, t-shirt, and tartan shirt, I pry Aunt Maddy away from David. We make a pit stop at the bookstore with the slowest store clerk in the world, and finally arrive at the Nelson household.
“Thanks, Aunt Maddy,” I say, racing toward the two-story, white house with four pillars decorating the front exterior.
“Wait up,” Aunt Maddy calls, jogging behind me. “I’m coming with, remember?”
Whatever. I leave her in my dust. I have FOMO about missing out on whatever the guys got up today. Mostly, I just want to see Kai. I feel incomplete when I don’t see him. His parents always make a big deal out of birthdays, so he didn’t hang out at the cafe, despite Maddy offering free breakfast to the whole family. I was so peeved when Mrs. Nelson declined the offer, saying she wanted to do something special at home.
Kai is so lucky to have parents who can afford to spend time at home with him and his brother. They have time and money to make a whole day special. Most of my birthdays were spent behind the counter or in a booth at the cafe. Not that Grams, Maddy, and Mom didn’t try to make them special.
I knock on the front door and twist on the handle before anyone has a remote chance of answering. Maddy trails behind as I enter the brightly lit foyer with shiny, gray-marbled tiles.
“Is that James?” Kai’s voice calls out from the top of the stairs.
“Hi King Kai,” I call back, moving into the house with his gift.
“Hi Jamie, how was work?” Mrs. Nelson says, moving out of the kitchen and meeting me in the heavily furnished living room.
“It was fine.”
She looks beyond me with a happy smile. “Hi there, Maddy. Nice to see you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Nelson. You too,” Maddy replies.
Mrs. Nelson’s cheeks plump as she giggles. “Maddy, dear. I told you; you don’t need to be so formal with me. You can call me Grace.”
“I don’t think I’m gonna break the habit anytime soon,” Maddy replies.
Mrs. Nelson grins, watching me cradle the awkwardly bulky gift. “I suppose you want to give that away.”
“It’s a little tough to carry,” I say, turning towards the staircase. “I’ll see you later, Maddy.”
“Don’t you want to say hello to Milo first?” Aunt Maddy asks.
I turn back and view Milo and his dad walking in from the rear of the house where the ground floor bedrooms are located. Milo’s long-haired ginger cat, Alfred, purrs and walks alongside Milo’s legs.
“Hi Jamie and Maddy,” Mr. Nelson says in his usual jovial tone. “Have a busy time at the cafe?”
“Sundays are always hectic,” Maddy replies. She moves in toward Milo and lifts her arms wide for a hug. “Happy birthday, Milo.”
“Thanks,” Milo says, leaning down to meet her in a hug.
Aunt Maddy giggles as Alfred rubs against her leg. “Wow, Alfie seems in a good mood today.”
“He’s happy now because I gave him some extra treats,” Milo says. “He was anxious because he couldn’t escape into my bedroom before Kai’s friends went upstairs.” He gives me an awkward wave. “Hi Jamie.”
I wave back. Ugh. Why did Maddy hug him? Now I have to hug him, or I’ll look like a massive jerk.
I move toward a side table, slide on Kai’s gift, and grab Milo’s card from on top. Okay, let’s just get this over with.
“Happy birthday, Milo,” I say, lifting the craft paper envelope housing the bookstore gift card. “It’s just a little something. We weren’t sure what to get you.”
“Thanks,” he says, taking the envelope with one hand as he pushes his glasses up his nose with the other. “But you didn’t have to get me anything.”
See, Maddy. “No, it’s fine. It is your birthday.” Here goes nothing. I lean in for a brief hug. “Hope you’ve had a good day.”
When Milo leans in, he trips over his own foot, lurching further forward than expected. I wince, bracing myself for his fall. When he awkwardly pulls himself up, we embrace.
