Page 14 of Puck'N Enemy
Maddie is turning eight years old today. A smile comes onto my lips as I think of her. I’ll make sure she has the best birthday party today.
Sitting in the backseat of the car, I gaze at the streets passing by. It’s the only way to stay distracted while my mind keeps reminding me of Dylan and the way it felt to have him pressed against me once again.
Thankfully, the car ride gets over soon.
Paying the driver, I step out and head to a nearby supermarket to pick up some stuff for Maddie. Since there willbe other seven- and eight-year-olds at the party, I have to make sure it’s packed with fun and lots of candies.
Entering the supermarket, I head directly to the party section.
Maddie should’ve been here, I think, gazing at the brightly colored piñatas hanging from the display. In the end, though, I grab a giant, candy-pink unicorn like the one Maddie requested.
A bittersweet emotion slices through me. It won’t be long before Maddie outgrows unicorns, princesses, and knights who fight dragons.
Exhaling a sigh, I proceed to pick up balloons, party hats, birthday banners, and loads of tape to hold them all in place.
My arms are loaded with my purchases by the time I step out of the supermarket. Home is just a couple of blocks away from here, so I just walk the rest of the way.
The trees of the neighborhood are turning into flaming shades of yellow, orange, and red. Fall is here, right in time for Maddie’s birthday.
I follow the wide street, flanked by the cookie-cutter houses of our humble neighborhood.
“Logan!” a loud voice calls my name just as I stop beside the fenced gate of my home.
Maddie runs out of the door and crosses the lawn to welcome me.
“You’re late,” she says, wrapping her arms around my waist and hugging me tightly. “My friends will be here any second, and we don’t even have balloons!”
A chuckle escapes me as I lift her up in my arms.
“Mom’s making me chocolate cake,” she tells me as I carry her inside the house. “She also bought me the dollhouse I wanted for Christmas. Oh, and do you know Mom’s also makingthe sugar cookies you like? I don’t like pecans much, but I’ll eat them if they’re in a cookie.”
I nod, pretending to look serious.
“What about you, Logan? Didn’t you get me anything for my birthday?” she asks as I step through the door.
At once, the smell of freshly-baked chocolate cake wafts into my nostrils.
“I got you the coloring set you were eyeing at the bookshop,” I tell her, setting her down on her feet.
Her chocolate-brown eyes, so damn similar to mine, widen at once. “But they’re so expensive!” she cries out, looking both excited and concerned.
“I just want you to enjoy them, okay?” I say, brushing a thumb over her chubby cheek.
“But—”
“Maddie, you’re just eight years old,” I remind her. “You don’t have to worry about how much paint costs just yet.”
“Thank you,” she says shyly. “I searched your room for my present but I didn’t find it. Do you have it with you now?” she asks, glancing at the bags in my hand.
“Nope, the present isn’t in my room,” I say, chuckling and handing her all the decoration stuff. “Here, start blowing the balloons while I go say hi to Mom.”
She pouts. “Okay. But you’ve got to come and help me. My friends will be here soon.”
“I’ll be right back,” I tell her and head into the kitchen.
“Hey, kiddo,” Mom greets me with a wooden spoon in her hand.
“Hey,” I say, moving forward to hug.
