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The Forgotten Gift
“It’s your birthday,” whispers Jenna. Her fingers pick at a thread in the couch. “You can have my blue shirt if you want.”
I don’t, and I wouldn’t take it from her. “Nah, it looks better on you.” I’m rewarded by a beam of relief.
“Birthday hug?” I fold her into my arms, all legs and elbows and bones.
“I’ll go tell Mom.” She scampers off before I can warn her, so I follow.
Mom slumps against the doorframe wearing a sweatshirt I’ve never seen before.
“It’s my birthday,” I say. She nods, like she remembered.
“Damn,” she says, and my hands twitch to cover Jenna’s ears, but she’s heard worse. “I forgot to get you a present.” She trails off, expecting me to say what I’ve said for 7 years, ever since Jenna was born. She watches us, eyes flicking back and forth.
“Don’t worry about it,” I spit out.
“Birthday dinner, then,” begs Jenna, bouncing at out feet. “Or lunch? Please?”
Mom shrugs. “Mo’s is closed Wednesdays.” She tugs her door closed but I slip my foot in. The splintered wood scrapes my bare skin. I don’t say a word, just stare at her bloodshot eyes. I try to sear my thoughts into her mind, how I deserve to have a real birthday with a real mom.
“Next year, your birthday’ll be on a Thursday, I think,” she says. “Mo’s has a steak special from 3 to 5.”
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This article has 22 comments.
This is really good! It captures a very meaningful story using only a short scene. It's sad and interesting, so I'd love to see what comes before/after, but at the same time it feels right simply as it is.
I didn't really find any spelling or grammar errors, except that you said 7, 3, and 5. I believe the correct way to write numbers formally is to spell them out if they are less than three digits long. It looks more consistent in writing.
Other than that, everything looks good to me! :) Nice job.
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