Tuesday

What I’ve always wanted is to have a surprise birthday party.

I had one when I was younger with my friends Ben and Alex, and it was great, don’t get me wrong, but the one I’ve always imagined is one where a bunch of people are there. I’ll walk up the stairs one day, slowly and quietly, I’ll hear a noise, a quite muffled laugh followed by a shush. I’ll stop on the stairs and listen, and then I’ll smile, realizing what’s going on.

I open the door slowly and inside is everyone I know and care about. They all stand up and shout “SURPRISE!” and I laugh and act surprised. I can’t stop smiling now. People are coming up to me and giving me hugs and telling me how happy they are for me. I don’t know what to say after a while, all I can do is smile because it all just seems surreal.

Hanging under the rafters are strings of those Japanese lights. You don’t remember do you? Your mother bought them for that party she had last summer at the lake house. In the corner of the room the record player plays slowly. “This Must Be the Place” comes on and someone turns it up. It’s loud now and everyone begins dancing. We’re swapping dance partners and everyone is laughing. Everyone is just so happy to be here, together. I turn and watch you out of the corner of my eye. You spin in and out, your hair covering your face, and I catch a slight smile on your lips.

The song ends and I make my way onto the roof. It’s cold and I can see the faint glimmer of stars above the glow of the city lights. “Canadian Girl” plays loudly downstairs. I close my eyes and take it all in. It all seems so surreal.