The Album by Sandra White

Author:Sandra White
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Fiction Works
Published: 2012-09-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

The day of Matt’s fourth birthday was hectic from beginning to end—hectic and wonderful.

“Will you please sit down a minute, Matt,” urged Cath. “Mommy’ll never have your party ready if you don’t stop tearing around. Here.” She lifted her small son onto a chair and scooted it up to the table. “Lick this frosting bowl clean. That ought to take you a minute or so.”

“Oh boy,” said Matt, liking this day more every minute. Bright colored balloons tied with string drifted over the back of a chair, and crepe-paper streamers of every color in the rainbow waved from the ceiling.

“Now for the finishing touches to this cake.” Cath turned back to the circus-decorated creation and carefully placed four bright red candles at evenly spaced intervals. “There,” she said proudly, stepping back to admire her handiwork. “That’s a great circus cake if ever I’ve seen one.”

“That’s a great cake,” echoed Matt.

Cath turned to him and smiled. “And you look like a cake yourself, birthday boy. Didn’t you get any of the frosting in your mouth? Or did you just decide to wear it on your face.”

Matt giggled, wiping his hand across his already frosting-covered countenance.

“Hey, here comes the ‘Bath Master.’ Jack, how would you like to guide this aging young man through his bath? His guests will be here in about an hour.”

“Sure,” agreed Jack. “Just don’t touch anything,” he admonished Matt, “including me, ol’ sticky fingers.”

As Jack guided their excited young son down the hall to the awaiting bath, Cath smiled. How she loved those two. She couldn’t imagine anyone having a better life than they did. Jack, a successful retailer, following in his father’s footsteps. Matt, a sweet, intelligent, healthy little boy.

Cath was almost as excited at Matt over this party, his first real birthday party. For the preceding three, there had been grandmas and grandpa, aunts, uncles, and countless other relatives stopping by for cake and ice cream. But this year they had invited twelve of his little friends, and a real clown was coming to entertain them—complete with red shaggy wig, polka-dot suit, and a performing poodle.

Almost as much planning and anticipation had gone into the party as opening night of a Broadway show.

The day, as promised, was as one might expect with a large gathering of excited four-year-olds—loud, hectic, and exhausting. As the last little one left, his hand in that of his mother, giving Cath, Jack, and Matt a shy “thank-you” in response to the prompting whispered in his ear, Cath plopped down in the closest chair.

“Don’t expect me to move until he’s five,” she told Jack.

“Mo-o-ommy. That’s gonna be too long,” moaned Matt.

“She’s only kidding, son. Why don’t you start hauling your gifts to your bedroom? I’ll be in to help you in just a minute.”

“Come here, honey,” said Cath, extending her arms. “Of course, I was kidding. I’m just going to relax one minute. Then Daddy and I’ll come and help you put away your toys. Okay?” she asked, hugging him tightly.

“Okay,” said Matt, pulling away and dashing towards his dozen-plus new gifts.

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