Prose

happy birthday (sarah)

written by: babeestars

She said she wanted to talk, not argue or fight, talk, and I guess that's what I wanted to, I wanted my big sister. She said she wanted it to be in private so suggested we went back to hers. I agreed. I knew that I would cry, I could feel it, and I didn't want that to be in public. We walked to her house going via Emily's so we didn't leave her on her own. We pretty much walked in silence, well I did. Emily made all the conversation, mainly talking to herself, I doubt Katie was listening. She said she was sorry and felt really bad about forgetting my birthday.
Katie twisted the key in the lock, I remembered the night I'd told her, the way her mum had looked at me, our mum had looked at me. I followed her down the short hallway into the living room, she flicked the switch. Light cascaded onto the many people sitting there, some I knew, some I recognised and some I wasn't really sure who they were. Katie's mum stepped forward and hugged me, I hugged her back but was completely baffled. "Happy birthday," she said letting go off me. Everyone was smiling and I didn't know what was happening. "This is your family." I looked around, there were so many. I felt like a small child who was at a family gathering and was disparately trying to remember everyone's names and who they were. I felt completely lost. Mark stood up and came over to me as well, I knew him, he was Katie's older brother, my older brother. He was really protective over her and I'd always been jealous. "We don't expect you to remember everyone's names, but we wanted to welcome you into the family properly and to know that we are always there for you, even if we haven't been before."
"Thank you," I whispered, slightly overwhelmed by it all. Mum handed me a small parcel, it was neatly wrapped in crimson paper.
"Open it," she encouraged. Piece by piece I pulled the tape away from the paper, not quite sure what to expect. Inside was a small box with a jewellers name printed in gold letters on top. I opened the box nervously, and inside was a ring, a beautiful sliver ring that glistened in the light. It had an intricate Celtic design that twisted around the whole ring. I pulled it out of the box. "It has a message on it, on the inside." I was informed, I twisted it so the light shined on the inside making the words clear. "I will never let you go again, mum. Xxx"
"thank you," it fitted my finger perfectly. Warmth filled my heart. "Thank you." Tears filled my eyes but I held them back, I could see everyone looking at me, every one of them really my family, and I didn't know what to do. I bit my lip, Katie took my hand, "ok," she started, "this s mark, you know mark," she went through every name of the people there, and who they were. Some of the information I took in; some went completely over my head, but for the first time I felt I fitted.