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Sweet House Alabama – five – Story

Kara woke up remembering what today was. Her birthday. “Yes!” She smiled and rolled out of bed.
It had been two months since she and Michael had been together. They were spending more and more time together.
Things had been so much better for Kara. Ann had finally found more workers. Kara was only working when needed. That meant she could spend more time with her boyfriend, if he wasn’t working.
Kara was turning seventeen today. She was extremely excited. She brushed her long hair, smiling at her reflection. “It’s my birthday!” she squealed.
She ran downstairs and found her mom making pancakes. Ann looked up and grinned. “Happy birthday!” She walked up to Kara with her arms open. Kara accepted the embrace.
“Mom… I’m seventeen!”

“You’re so old!” she joked.
“Thanks,” Kara replied dryly.
Ann just smiled. “So… I have a surprise for you…”
“Oooo… What is it?”
Ann held out a box wrapped in colorful paper, tied with a bright red bow. “Open it, Hon.”
Kara looked at her mom and slowly opened it. She gasped as she lifted a big scrapbook.
“Mom…” Ann just smiled, tears glistening in her eyes.
Kara began to softly cry. This scrapbook was of their family. Their whole family. Before the cancer, before anything happened. She slowly turned the pages.
They sat down in silence, just looking at each picture. Kara relived each memory. The zoo, the park, their old house. Memories flooded.

Kara got to the last page. The picture was her father laughing. That big, contagious laugh that she remembered clearly. Underneath the picture was a note.
“My beloved Kara, my only child. I love you. I know you know that. But I just want you to know how much I love you. You mean the world to me. I am so proud of all you have accomplished, and I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do with the rest of your life. Your smile can brighten up a room, and your love and generosity is what makes you different than all other girls. You are my sunshine. Seventeen is your last year of childhood. Embrace it. Don’t forget where you come from. You will always be in my heart, no matter what happens. I love you.”

Tears streamed down Kara’s face. “Mom, thank you so much!” She hugged Ann.
“I made the scrapbook, Honey, but the letter isn’t from me.”
Kara quickly looked at the page. The letter was signed, “Dad”.
“Dad wrote this?” she whispered.
“He did.”
“When? And why seventeen? Isn’t this your writing?”
Ann got comfortable on the couch and sighed. “Your dad was bedridden. This was only weeks before… he passed away. He wanted to give you something special. He was too weak to write it, so he asked me to. He spoke each word as if he were really talking to you. He had said that seventeen was his best year. So he wanted seventeen to be your best year.”
“Why was that his best year?”
Ann smiled. “That was the year he met me.”

Kara smiled and patted her mom’s hand. “Seventeen will be my best year. Because you’re my mom. And Dad’s letter will help me through the year. And because I have Michael. Nothing can go wrong. I can’t let it.”
“Good for you. Now, go, get ready! Michael’s going to pick you up soon, and you still have to eat breakfast.”
“Chocolate chip pancakes?” Kara asked with a sly grin.
“Mmhmm.” Her mom winked.

Michael came right at noon. He greeted Kara with a kiss on the cheek. “Happy birthday, Sweetheart.”
“Thank you.”
“Hi Ann,” He greeted her also with a kiss on the cheek.
“Michael,” she replied. “So where are you two going?”
“It’s a surprise!” He exclaimed. “You ready?”
“Yup!” Kara replied. “Bye Mom.” She kissed her. “See you tonight!”
“Be safe… And have fun.” She waved from the door as the two of them got into the car.
“Really, where are we going?” Kara asked, curiosity getting the best of her.
“Like I told your mom,” he replied. backing up, “it’s a surprise.” He kissed her and put the car in drive.

“The suspense is killing me.”
“You’ll get used to it.”
“Why?” She raised her eyebrows. “How long till we get there?”
“Oh, about three hours.”
“Three hours!? Michael!” She nudged his arm and he laughed.
“I’m kidding. Just be patient.”
“Okay,” she whined.

“Where are we?” Kara said, blindfolded. Michael was guiding her. All she heard were birds chirping.
He didn’t answer her.
“Michael…?”
“Surprise!” He took the blindfold off her.
They were at the most beautiful park she’d ever seen. Trees all around, beautiful flowers, squirrels running, and birds perched on benches. The place was private, like it was unknown to mankind. It was so peaceful. It was beautiful.
“It’s… breathtaking,” she whispered.

“It is. Happy birthday.” He put his arms around her from behind and kissed the top of her head.
“You are so wonderful.” She grabbed his hands and kissed them.
“I love you,” he replied.
She was a bit shocked that he said that. They’d been going out for two months, but it still came as a shock.
“I love you, too.” She meant it. With all her heart. She’d never been so sure of love.
This was the best birthday ever.

 

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