Finding You

Bright, fluorescent balloons; a sugary mess of frosting and cake with your name on it. Vibrant wrapping paper masking questionable gifts; and a room filled with people who love you. That, is the perfect birthday; for anyone but me. I hate birthdays. When I was little, I would get super excited; running around and smiling, telling anyone and everyone how old I was. Eventually the excitement died down, but it was still a day to look forward too. Then my mom left. No good bye, or I love you, kind of like she just forgot what day it was. It's not like anyone, but Abel really cares. Everyone says the standard "Happy Birthday", but they don't really mean it. It's just the social norm; the expected thing to say.

    The sun leaks through my thin curtains, making it too bright to sleep. A quick glance at my alarm says it's too late to sleep, too. Thick, meaty bacon aroma seeps in my room along with the kitchen timer beeping. Throwing on clothes I head to the kitchen to save my birthday breakfast. A minute later Abel rushes into the kitchen looking for the food he forgot about.

   

    "I was going to do that," He says with his signature smirk.

    "I like my bacon cooked, not scored." Abel moves to ruffle my hair, but misses as I dodge and plop into a chair.

    "Where's dad?" I ask a little grateful he's not here.

   

    "Take a guess," Abel says with a sigh as he sets the table. Bacon, watermelon, and doughy pancakes fill our normally empty table. Compared to our normal cereal, this is a feast.

"You didn't have to do all this." I manage to get out around my stuffed mouth, breakfast is my favorite. Abel always makes the pancakes doughy and thick, a trick he learned from my mom; most people would hate that, but I love it.

"Just eat your food, I got something planned."

"I said I didn't want anything big."

"I didn't say it was big."

After breakfast we pile the sink with dishes and head for the truck. Abel's face is neutral, which makes it hard to tell what's up. Leaving our house in the dust we head down the road, in the opposite direction of town. Wherever we're going there won't be a lot of people. Still tired from yesterday's early morning expedition, I lean against the window and watch the houses thin out, and turn into fields. Before long Abel pops in one of his terrible country CD's. Too tired to object, I concentrate on Willie Nelson's voice, and the hum of the truck's engine.

"Rise and shine Cole."

Next thing I know, I'm being shook awake by Abel's rough hands. Stretching the kink out of my neck, I look around.  Trees, fresh grass, and a lake greet my eyes. A cool breeze bowing through the trees, bringing the threat of autumn with it. To my left, I see a familiar truck pull up beside us. There in the front seat sits Andy, and riding shotgun, my best friend Cobb.

"How does a grill out on the lake sound?" Abel asks with a slight smile.

"Perfect," I say sincerely. Abel knows I love the forest, but it's quite a ways away, so we rarely go. The last time we went to the lake was when I was ten, Abel took me fishing. It started raining, but I begged to stay, just a little bit longer. We ended up soaking wet, but happy just the same.

"Well go help Andy with the grill; I'm setting up the poles." In the back of our truck sits four fishing poles, and bags of towels and clothes. Andy has a small grill and food in his. Jumping out of the truck, I greet Cobb with a smile.

"Hey, Cole, how's it hanging?"

"Loose and free," I say with a smirk. Cobb claps me on the back and we start unloading the trucks.

    "Happy birthday Cole, feel old yet?" Andy asks after grabbing the fold-up chairs out of the truck.

    "Not as old as you," I reply to Andy's retreating form.

A few empty picnic tables line the lake shore. Worn from years of use, and Wisconsin weather, the wood has turned almost white. Baked from summer sun, the tired wood feels good under my hands as I set down the towels and bags of food.

"Who's ready to fish?" Andy asks after setting up four chairs by the shore. Abel and Andy stand side by side; Andy just a smidge taller. Both with light brown hair, and eyes; you could almost mistake them for father and son. Both with worn, worked skin, and broad muscular shoulders. Sharing the same trade of work and social manners; quiet yet firm, soft and intense. The only difference is age, with Andy in a fifteen year lead.

    We spent the rest of the day fishing, swimming and grilling. A day with the people I love. Abel got me alone before lunch; pulling me aside while Cobb and Andy got the grill started. We were sitting next the shore, watching the glace water buzz with life. He asked me if I was happy. I had to think a minute, because happy couldn't describe how I felt. Knowing how much these people care, and how special the time is; happy was nothing compared to that. I couldn't bring myself to let him down with a simple yes. So before joining the others for burgers and cake, I quick wrapped my arms around Abel and gave the only hug I remember giving. This was the best day of my life; one of my most cherished memories. If only I knew It would be one of the last.