Page 62 of Imperfections Forbidden

“I was wishing it would snow.You know how much I love a white Christmas.”

“I know you do, when you were little that was the first thing you would do on Christmas morning.Run to the window, right past the gifts, to see if it snowed.If it did, your little face would light up like Sasha’s does when she’s ripping open those boxes.”

I smile and look out the window.

“You were the cutest little thing, with your pigtails and jammies.”

He gives me a kiss on the side of my head, and I lean my head against his chest.It feels like I’m his little girl again.It’s a nice feeling to have right now—loved and wanted.My phone vibrates in my pocket.I pull away from him to see who it is, and my heart jumps when I see the name on the screen.It’s Nick.

“Dad, I’m going to take this call.”

“Go ahead.They must be special.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Your face lit up like that little girl on Christmas morning when you looked at your screen.”

I smile and shake my head.I’m not going to deny it.I go upstairs to my room and call him back.The phone rings twice before he answers.

“Happy birthday.”

I feel so silly by the way I’m reacting from the sound of his voice.My face is one big smile, and I’m practically giddy.“Thank you.”

“I thought you didn’t want to talk to me.”

“No, no, I did.I had to go to another room, that’s why I didn’t answer.I’m at my parents’ house.”

“You sound happy.It must be a good birthday.”

“It’s okay, so far.”

“I would ask you if you got everything you wanted, but the day isn’t over yet.”

“Does that mean you have something for me?”

“I do.”

“What is it?”

“I can’t tell you; it’s a surprise.I want to see your face when you see it for the first time.”

“I don’t know if I will be able to open it in front of you… You should tell me now.”

“It’s a surprise, I can’t.”

“I hate surprises.They don’t work out good for me.”I sit down on the bottom of the bed and lie back.

“I think you’ll like this one.I’m sure it will put a smile on your face.”

“It better.”

“Oh, it will.”

I sit up and walk to the door when I hear someone call my name.“I have to go, they’re calling me.I’m glad you called.”

“Happy birthday, Christmas baby.”

“Merry Christmas, Nick.”I put my phone in my pocket.I’m happy he called, but it’s not enough.I feel empty again.“I can’t wait till this day is over.”Wow, that’s the first time I ever said that on Christmas Day.The little girl in me is sitting in a corner, fading away.