"A picnic?" Faith asked with a laugh, skating ahead of her mother on the path through the park. "That's kind of dull for a 16th birthday, isn't it, Ma?"
"Oh, shush, love. I'm not your uncle. I can't be extravagant and shower you with expensive gifts like he does." Syl chuckled back and shook her head. "Ah, here we are."
The path wound past a lake, and Syl pointed to an empty picnic table by the water. "That spot's perfect."
Placing the picnic basket she carried on top of the table, Syl pulled out a table cloth and lay it on the surface, then she began to place the food on it as they waited for the others to arrive. "You're too young to remember this, but this is actually where we celebrated your first birthday, so it's actually a fitting coincidence that we're celebrating your 16th here."
"Really?" Faith smirked as she sat down at the table to untie her roller blades. "So there's a sentimental reason why we're celebrating my birthday in a lame way?"
"Smart mouth." Laughing, Syl sat down beside her daughter, and playfully jabbed the girl in the shoulder, before resting a hand on the baby belly that held Faith's little brother.
"It runs in the family, Ma." The girl grinned as she slid off her blades, then peeled off her socks. Her bare feet nestled into the soft cool grass, a different sensation than the hot crisp sands back home.
Bassline
-
Syl smiled as she entered the beach house. The rumble of the bass guitar
welcomed her home, and the house keeper Rita came to greet her in the front
hall. ...
14 years ago
‘Mila! Stop pulling Annabelle’s hair!’ Beth said, looking back at her girls and shook her head. She looked to Neil exasperated as he drove to the park of where Faith’s 16th birthday was being held; Neil grabbed Beth’s hand and gave it a squeeze as he parked the car. ‘I just don’t understand! All morning Mila has been at it!’ she ranted to Neil as they walked around to the trunk and began to unload the stroller and food. Neil scoffed and muttered something to the tune of ‘Girls…’ and walked around to get Max out of the car and put him into his stroller.
ReplyDeleteTilly, Annabelle and Mila ran ahead as Beth, Neil and Max trailed behind. Finally around the curve of the path, a picnic table by the water was occupied by Sylvia, who's belly was bulging now with her unborn son and Faith was sitting on the grass, without shoes or socks on and chattering away excitedly.
'Hey Momma!' Beth called out to Sylvia, giving her a hug and kiss when they reached her. Beth tickled Sylvia's stomach, just enough so Syl wouldn't punch her in the arm and grinned evilly at Sylvia. Beth stepped to the side and started to unbundle Max out of his stroller as Neil greeted his sister with a tight hug. Beth set a blanket down on the ground and set Max down with a few toys, before putting food on the picnic table.
'Hey Birthday Girl!' Beth said, bending down to give Faith a cuddle, Max promptly crawled over and into Faith's lap. Beth giggled as she handed Faith a small package. Inside was a key and a picture. The picture was a bright green Vispa scooter, and with a matching key. 'It's waiting for you at the Beach House in Rio. I thought you might need something to transport you back and forth to your hockey rink...' Beth whispered in Faith's ear and gave her a kiss on the cheek. 'I hope you like it...' Beth said smiling grabbing Max before he put grass in his mouth to chew on. 'And you ... you little monster! You given Faith a kiss for her birthday?' She leaned Max over to give Faith a sloppy wet kiss on her cheek.
'You excited about being 16 Miss Faith?' Beth asked looking over at Faith, Beth felt like she'd watched her grow in leaps and bounds over the last year. When Beth was shunned by almost everyone, this young girl had taken her in and treated her like family. Beth was proud to be a part of this special moment in Faith's life.
Neil shook his head as he settled in and hoped Beth was having a boy, cause girls were just nuts.
ReplyDeleteHe gave his Sister a hug, whispering "You know she is making you old right?"
He ducked out of the way of the shot that was coming his way, walking over and giving Faith a big hug.
"So slugger.." he grins, "You know my deal.. when do you wanna go shopping?" He glances at Syl, "and yeah, we gotta do it without Mom or we are toast." he laughs.
He looks over at Beth and winks as he continues talking to Faith. "I was gonna drive something up for you, but I thought it might be more fun to let you pick."