I Just Can't Make It!

• Myrtali Koutroumpinas, Grade 8
• Short Story
• 2018

As my mum’s car turned into the street, I saw the headlights dart down to the other end of the street. I ran to the window to watch my mum pull into the drive way. I was eager to talk to her. Tomorrow was my sixteenth birthday.
My mum rang the doorbell and I ran to open the door.
“Hi sweetie, how are you?” she asked.
“Just great, in fact, I’ve never been better because tomorrow is my birthday!” I replied
“Yes I know honey, I was thinking about that, and I was just about to ask you what you wanted.”
She asked this every year. My mum is a lawyer, working for one of the top firms. She hasn’t come to one of my birthdays since I was six. My dad and grandparents always organised it.
With a nervous smile I mumbled, “Actually, I just want you to be at my party, to celebrate with me.”
She looked at me puzzled, “Sweetie, you I am extremely busy with work. Is there anything else you want?”
I was expecting this, I frowned and dropped my head, disappointed and answered, “I’ll think about it.”
All I want is to have my mum there, to look over at as I cut the cake and see her give me her glowing smile. For her to tell her she loves me and take me into her arms. All I want is the people I love most to be standing beside me, all the way.
I went to my room, rested my head on my pillow and sobbed. I knew that she wouldn’t be there. I remembered the way my father used to lift me high in the air and spin me around as I squealed. I miss him. I miss his smile, his childish laugh, his outgoing character.
The next day I woke up to a note at the end of my bed, it read:
I’m sorry Sarah, I wish I could be there,
they really need me at work,
Have a wonderful birthday. LOVE YOU. Mum
Mum left me this note every year and had never made it in time. The party started with all my friends and grandparents. I waited at the window the whole evening. I felt empty. I want her there. I realised that it would be just like every other year, she wouldn’t come.
We all gathered around the table, as I went to cut the cake, I heard the door click.
I saw my mum walk slowly into the room, a smile broke out onto my face. I burst out into tears. I ran out into my mum’s arms. I felt so safe, like there was nothing in the world that could make me happier.
“I didn’t think you’d come,” I said.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world, how about we cut that cake” she replied.
That year I had no wishes, every one of them had come true. It was perfect…