Birthday
Part 2
Rajaf opened the door to an agitated king. “My son,” he grinned allowing Kol in. “We haven’t spoken about that? Will you allow me to call you my son?”
Kol smiled, “I would be honored.”
“Please, come in.” Rajaf led him to the little kitchen; pouring both of them a cup of tea. “What brings you by, my son.”
“Has Kessa shared with you any of my dreams?”
“No. She and I are doing a Bible study about dreams.”
Kol half smiled, “I may be the reason for that.” He moved his cup around and around before speaking again. “I’m a bad friend and even worse husband. I should know the answer to this but I don’t. When is Kessa’s birthday?”
Rajaf smiled, “then that makes me a bad father because I don’t know when her birthday is. We celebrate that day; her birthday, on the day I found her on my door step. Which, is in a month.”
“What would you think if I told you I was told in a dream her birthday was today?”
“What kind of mother abandons her child after a month?”
“One that’s in trouble.” Kol thought. “Maybe Kessa wasn’t abandoned because her mother couldn’t care for her. Maybe she was in trouble and did it to protect her.”
“Either way, I know what she’s going to say.”
“Yes, I stepped in that before. Kes is happy. She loves you. Maybe we shouldn’t say anything?”
“Let’s pray about it.”
“Yes.”
“Celebrations for us are simple.”
“Since Frego turned 12, I’ve stopped trying to do big things. After he started having his own friends and started walking his own path, I’ve tried to let him decide what he wants to do.”
“How old will he be?”
“18.”
“It’s hard letting them grow up.” Rajaf smiled. “I wanted to keep her little. Despite my efforts, she’s grown into a fine woman. Did you think when you were 27 you’d have a grown son at 44?”
“Heaven’s no. I honestly figured some battle would kill me long before I had the chance to be a father.”
“Your dad never wanted to be a warrior king.”
“And I never wanted to be presiding over court, writing laws, or digging through piles of books to answer one question.” He sighed, “what can I do for her birthday? She knows and does so much, I feel completely lost.”
“Ask her.”
Kessa’s voiced flowed to their ears, “ask her what?” Kol moved his seat from the table giving her enough space to sit on his lap.
“What would you like to do for your birthday?” He gently moved a wild strand of hair from her face.
“Hmmm,” she smiled. “Anything I want?” Her voice was child like as she bit her lip.
“I will do my absolute best to make it happen.”
She looked at Rajaf and winked.
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