Winter Season

Birthday

Oscar really didn’t expect anything from his family on his birthday. He usually just got a card or a phone call. Depending on how his mother was feeling. His brother didn’t even bother to sign it; his mother signed everyone’s name to it. This year because of the ‘blow up’, he received no attention from his family. He was a little depressed as he walked toward his SUV. Birthdays had never been a big deal for him. But still no one wants to be ignored on their birthday.

Esther had been checking to see if he was taking his medicine for his ulcer. She would ask him from time to time how it was doing. However, lately, she was making sure he took it. There was a note on his SUV; did you take your medicine today? Ess

He was a little unnerved about how she was able to get on school property. Nonetheless, it made him smile.

When he got home, he thought about going over to Esther’s. He stood in the drive way staring at her house. His phone chimed, alerting him that he had a text message. It was from Esther and read ‘roses are still red. I’m still confused if violets are blue. Get your butt over here. I’ve got things for you’.

As he opened the door, his ears were filled with the soft sounds of music. His nose flooded with the smell of food. When he walked into the kitchen, his jaw dropped. Bell, Chet and Esther started singing Happy Birthday to him. He could have cried. Esther had fixed a salad and chicken, broccoli, fettuccine, alfredo with garlic bread.

“Please forgive me,” Bell spoke, “but what are these little black things on top of the fettuccine?”

Esther smile, “shaved truffles.”

“Why would you put chocolate on top of pasta?” Chet frowned.

“It’s true. Truffles are amazing desserts but in this case the truffles are mushrooms.”

“Really,” Chet was shocked.

“Taste it and see what you think.” Esther encouraged.

Oscar took a big bite. “I never really cared for mushrooms but these are good.”

She waved her fork at him, “stick with me buddy, I’ll change your world.”

He laughed a laugh that she sorta heard at Christmas. It was deep, clear and came from a place that hadn’t created a laugh in years. “Too late, you already have.” He smiled.

Throughout dinner he didn’t eat much. Esther knew why. She just prayed this wouldn’t hurt him.

Chet and Bell smiled at each other as well. It was wonderful to see their friend in such a great frame of mind.

Everyone ate and talked for hours. Oscar had forgotten about the disappointment of his family and enjoyed the accompaniment of his friends and the woman he loved.

After dinner, Esther instructed everyone outside. It was a warm May evening and she was going to make sure it didn’t go to waste. The road in front of their homes was well lit by two lights; one either side of the road. She uncovered a c.d. player and that Kenny Chesney song they first dance in the snow to started playing.

“You do realize,” Oscar took her hand and led her to the middle of the road. “When we get married, we will be dancing to this song.”

“You think?” They started dancing in the street lamp. “What if I have an objection to that?”

He held her close, “what objection would that be?”

“I think it should be the song we dance our first dance too.”

Bell and Chet finally joined them. They weren’t bad dancers in their own right.

The song and the tempo changed, “guess what?” Bell shouted, “we are dancin’ in the street.”

They danced for a couple hours. After they said their goodbyes and left, Oscar flopped down on the couch. “Oh, that was amazing.”

“Mr. Patterson,” she lifted his feet, placing them on her lap, then removed his shoes and socks; massaging his feet.

He moaned with delight, “that feels good.”

“How was your day?”

“Long. Yours?”

“Full of nervous energy planning for your dinner.”

He opened his eyes in shock, “nervous. About what?”

“It always makes me nervous cooking for other people.”

“Sweetheart, it was delicious.”

“Thanks.” She blushed, “I really hope it doesn’t hurt you.”

“So far so good.” He smiled, “I just feel pressure like I’ve eaten too much.”

“You will tell me if anything changes.”

“I will.”

Winter Season