Page 63 of Imperfections Forbidden
“Sophie, what are you doing here?It’s your day off,” I say, coming down the stairs.
“I saw everyone yesterday, except for you, and it’s your birthday.I have a present for you.”
“Sophie, you could have called me or given it to me another day.You didn’t have to come over here; you should be with your family.”
“You are my family.Your first Christmas and birthday back is important to me.”
I love Sophie.I give her a hug, and she hugs me back.She holds up a bag.
“I know things have been rough for you lately.”She holds my hand.“I know they will get better.Have faith and be patient until they do.”
I’m not so sure they will, but it’s nice to imagine they will.She steers me toward the living room to the rest of the family.
“This is a gift you have to open in front of everyone.”
“Okay,” I say, mildly curious.
“Come around, everyone, Cat is going to open her present.”
I smile and look around, everyone circling me, smiling.This is strange.Sophie puts the bag on the table, a big red glittering Christmas gift bag.I wonder what’s in it.The bag is so pretty, with bows and a backdrop picture of snow and children gathered around Santa Claus.The bag could be the present, it’s that pretty.Sophie points to the chair behind the living room table next to the tree.
“Sit.This is from all of us, not only me.Now you can open it.”
I sit down and reach down into the bag.There is a big glittering box with a big, red silk bow on top.I pull the bow off and all four sides of the box fall open on the table.They all yell,
“Happy Birthday!”
It’s the prettiest cake I’ve ever seen.I know Sophie made it.It’s my favorite, strawberry cheesecake, and she wouldn’t dare give me a store-bought cheesecake on my birthday.
I look around at them and say thank you, even to Kate, with the sour look on her upturned face.I give Sophie another hug and thank her for making the cake, and I give everyone a hug except for Kate, who quickly sits back down before I come close to her.She sure is using this little not-feeling-good act to her advantage.
They all turn to her and my mother says, “Kate honey, maybe you should go upstairs and lie down for a little while.”
“No, I’ll be fine, it’s Cat’s day, and we should all be here together.”
“Nonsense, Cat will understand.You’re pregnant; you need to rest.She can open our presents later and cut the cake when you get up.Right, Cat?”
“Yes, I understand, you and the baby need to rest.I’ll wait; maybe I’ll come by tomorrow and we can do it then.”
Sophie looks at me and then at Kate.“Kate, I’m sure you can wait five minutes to watch your sister blow out the candles on her cake and wish her a happy birthday.I’m sure you’ll get plenty of rest sitting down in this chair doing nothing, the presents can wait till later.”
My mother and Sophie exchange looks, and I know they’re going to have a talk later.Sophie doesn’t normally contradict my mother in front of others.If she does, it’s for a good reason.
“Five minutes won’t hurt.I’ll be fine.”
Neither my mother nor Kate looks happy.Sophie does.It was an awkward moment for everyone.Sophie lights the candles, and I close my eyes, make a wish, and blow them out in one breath.
“Did you make a wish?”Vanessa asks.
“Of course.”
“I hope you get what you want.”
“I hope so too.”
As I’m aboutto leave later, my phone buzzes.I have a message from Nick.It says,
‘Happy Birthday!’
