"Thought you were out with your new friends." said Karen feeling disappointed that Andy hadn't really made new friends.

Andy sighed. 'Mom I don't have friends and probably don't want any friends.' he thought to himself.

"Why don't you just come back inside?" she invited him.

"Is Shane still there?" he asked without looking at her.

"No he's gone now." said Karen looking at her son fully immersed into his cell phone. 'Why doesn't he just get off that dang phone for just 5 minutes!' she said in her mind. She squat down to his level (literally) and said, "I know something that'll cheer you up. Come on back home, I've got something for you. It's a surprise!"

That magic word seemed to get his attention. Who didn't like surprises? Andy looked up at his mom and smiled.

Back in their apartment, Andy sat on the couch waiting for his mom to gift him his present.

"Close your eyes." Karen told her son.

Andy closed his eyes.

Karen opened the closet and reached for the gift at the top. Once it was in her hands, she walked back into the living room, placed it in front of him and stood in front of it.

When Andy felt his mom's presence, he opened his eyes. He tried to peek behind Karen but she interrupted.

"Ok listen. I know your birthday isn't for a couple of weeks and this move has been really tough on you. And I know that you're kind of mad at me so...I think you deserve this." Karen then smiled. "Surprise! Happy Early Birthday Noodle!" She sat on the couch next to him to watch him open his present. She couldn't wait to see the look on his face.