A Book of Random Poetry

Birthday Wishes

Author's Note: Surprise! Today I had to write a scene between a parent and child where they have a conversation with one another for one of my literary arts classes. I hope you like it!
. . . . .

I jiggled my keys in the lock, attempting to open the front door of my house without making a lot of noise. The cold wind blew in my face making me shiver.

I put one of my hands on the door and pushed. "Open, damn it!" I exclaimed. Suddenly, the door flew open, and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground.

"You alright?" Stated a deep voice.

I looked up and saw my father towering over me with a concerned expression on his face.

I shot up and began to wipe myself off. "I'm fine," I replied. Picking up my stuff, I went inside of the house and started for the staircase.

"Wait, Raegan," my father spoke. I froze in my tracks and slowly turned to look at him. "Yeah, dad?" I asked. "Come sit down here in the kitchen with me. I believe there are a few things that we have to discuss."

I looked up the staircase and then back down at my father. I was nervous about speaking with him without anybody else around. I took a deep breath. "Sure, dad."

I walked back down the stairs and made my way over to the kitchen.

"Please, sit," my father said.

I sat on the stool opposite of him and put my head down as a way to avoid his stern gaze.

"Raegan, when I was younger, your grandfather Philip was one of the lights of my life," he stated.

I looked up from the ground and was surprised to see the pain in his eyes.

He continued. "When I was ten-years-old, your grandfather passed away. Since I was young, all I could think about was how I would no longer have a father-figure in my life. I loved my father very much, and his passing was tough for me to process as a child. However, a few months after he had passed away, your grandmother rosemary informed me that we were going to have to move out of my childhood home."

He paused for a moment. Without thinking, I placed my hand on top of his and urged him to continue. "She did not tell me why we had to move. But, the night before we left our home, I overheard her crying to my great grandmother about how your grandfather Philip hadn't left us any money. It pained me to see her in that state, but I did not think our lives would drastically change. That was until I saw an eviction notice sitting on your grandmother's bed."

"A-are you trying to tell me that you-" I began. "Homeless, yes. We did live on the streets for some time," he answered.

"Raegan, every day, I had to see my dear mother cry about how she could not believe what my father had done to us. So, as I got older, I vowed that when I had a family, I would make sure that they were taken care of, no matter what it took."

I took a deep breath; everything was starting to come together now. My father was a workaholic because he was scared of leaving us with nothing. I thought back to our argument earlier and felt shame stir throughout my body.

"I-I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier, dad. I just always thought that you had a problem with me."

My dad squeezed my hand. "Sweetheart, there is nothing to be sorry for. I should be the one apologizing to you. I missed your birthday, and you had to spend it here all alone. I am so sorry."

He let go of my hand and walked over to the fridge. After rummaging through it for a few moments, he had taken out the item he had been looking for and brought it over to the table. To my surprise, it was a small birthday cake.

" I know it isn't much, but I thought I could at least try to right my wrongs."

I looked up at him with a massive smile on my face. "Thank you, Dad, it's wonderful."

"Oh, wait! I almost forgot," he began.

He walked over to a drawer in the living room and came back with a card. "This is a card that your mother wrote for you for your 18th birthday before she passed away."

I opened the card and read the words written inside.

Raegan,

If you are reading this card, that means you have officially turned eighteen-years-old. I am sorry that I could not be there in person to celebrate with you, sweetheart. I wanted to write this card for you before I passed away, to let you know that you are the best thing that has ever happened to your father and I. He may work a lot, but just know that he does love you very much. With time, he will share with you his story, and all that I ask is that you listen. He will make mistakes, Raegan, like we all do. But I do not want either of you to live with regrets of not speaking with one another. I have learned that life is too short, so please, do all that you can to live your life to the fullest. I love you very much sweetheart, and I have no doubt that you have grown into an exceptional young woman. You will do great things, as long as you set your mind to it. Never give up sweetheart. I will always be watching over you. Give your father a hug for me, and tell him that I love him very much. Have a wonderful eighteenth birthday, love mom.

By the time I had gotten to the end of the letter, I was crying. I looked up at my father and saw that he had tears in his eyes as well. I got up from the stool and gave him a big hug.

"I forgive you dad."

Once we separated, he lit the candles on my cake and sang happy birthday to me.

I wish to keep living my life to the fullest every day, and I wish that my dad will join me on that journey as well

I blew out the candles.

"What did you wish for?" My dad asked while cutting me a slice.

I looked at him with a huge smile. "Mom wanted me to tell you that she loves you dad."

He stopped cutting the cake and looked up at me. "I-I love her too and I miss her terribly. But somehow, whenever I am in trouble, she is always there to help me through it. You remind me so much of her."

We ate our slices of cake. After giving each other one more hug, I began up the stairs to get changed for bed.

"Sweetheart?" My dad asked.

"Yes dad?"

"How about tomorrow we go to the roller rink, like we used to before your mother passed away?"

"That would be amazing dad!"

"I want to be a part of your life Raegan. It is possible for me to provide for you financially and spend quality time with you. I am sorry again that I did not recognize that sooner."

"We all make mistakes dad. I don't hold a grudge against you. We are all learning here, and we all deserve another chance."

"Well, thank you for giving me another chance kiddo. Good night, I hope you had a good birthday."

"I did dad. This is the best one I've had in a long time."

I walked upstairs and got ready for bed. As I drifted off to sleep, I knew that my father and I's relationship would be just fine.