CHAPTER 14 — THE NEXT BIRTHDAY
One year after the day the cake was destroyed...
I had another birthday.
But this time, when I walked into the kitchen...
I heard laughter.
Daniel was sitting in his little high chair.
Hannah was trying to keep him from grabbing a small birthday cake.
“No!”
Daniel laughed.
I stood in the doorway.
Hannah turned around.
“Happy Birthday, Daddy.”
I froze.
Those words.
One year ago, they had broken my heart.
But today...
They made me smile.
Daniel clapped his hands.
Hannah handed me a small cake.
The frosting wasn't perfect.
One side was slightly crooked.
But across the top were the words:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY.
I bent down and hugged both of them.
“This is the most beautiful cake I've ever seen.”
Hannah laughed.
“You're only saying that because you're afraid I'll make you eat the whole thing.”
“No.”
May you like
I smiled.
“I'm saying it because I mean it.”
