A month had passed. Today was Kelsey's twenty-sixth birthday. Although you wouldn't know it from the way her day started. It started like any other day. She was up was Angela by 6:00 AM. She went through her daily routine. Zack came down at 7:30. He got the paper and sat down at the kitchen table.
"Morning honey." Kelsey said.
"Morning." Kelsey brought Zack his coffee. They kissed. "What time does your shift start?"
"Nine."
"On your way home tonight pick me up some lottery tickets."
"Ok."
"Mommy I not want go to granny's." Angela said.
"Why not?"
"Not feel like it." "I stay with daddy."
"No sweetheart you can't stay with daddy." Zack said.
"Why?"
"Daddy will be to busy."
"I not bother you." "Promise."
"I'm sorry sweetheart."
"Ok." She pouted.
"Don't pout Angela." "How about when mommy's off work this weekend we'll all go to the park and play."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Ok."
"Good."
Kelsey and Angela were getting ready to go. Zack was sitting on the couch.
"Ok we're leaving." Kelsey said.
"Have fun with granny Angela." Zack said.
"I will."
"Kelsey come here." She went over to him. He kissed her. "Have a good day."
"I will."
"I love you."
"I love you to."
Kelsey dropped Angela off at her mom's and went to work. When she got to the back there was a cake waiting for her. The day was going on.
"I see Zack did you no favors today either." Brittany said.
"Come on Britt, not today please."
"Ok." "Did he at least get you something?"
"You know he doesn't have any money."
"At least he actually remembered your birthday." Brittany noticed a strange look on Kelsey's face. "You're kidding." "He forgot?"
"I'm sure he didn't forget." "He just hasn't said anything."
"That no good bastard."
"I don't wanna talk about it ok?" She said with tears in her eyes as she hurried to get her next table.
As the manager's present to Kelsey she let her off a half hour early. It was 8:30 PM. She was walking to her car. She saw nice car pull up right beside hers. It was John. He rolled down his window. She went over to his car.
"Hi." She said.
"Hi." "Leaving?"
"Yeah."
"Can you spare a few minutes?"
"Sure."
"Get in." "I know your feet have to be tired." She got in the passenger seat. "How are you?"
"Good." "You?"
"Good." "Work hard today?"
"Yeah and my work's not done."
"Why?"
"A mother's work is never done." "Happy birthday to me."
"It's your birthday?"
"Yeah."
"Happy birthday."
"Thanks."
"What did your boyfriend give you?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"He didn't even remember."
"What?"
"Yeah." He heard her sniffle. She wiped her eyes.
"Hey." "Are you ok?"
"Mm-hmm." She said trying not to cry harder.
"Come here." John hugged her and she let the tears flow. "Ssh, it's ok." "It's ok Kelsey, don't cry." After a few minutes she calmed down.
"I'm sorry I just get so frustrated and stressed sometimes."
"It's ok." She had her head on his chest. She looked at him.
"You must think I'm a complete basket case."
"No." "I hate seeing you like this."
"You're a good friend." She kissed him on the cheek. As she pulled away his head turned and there lips connected. She kissed him back. They wrapped there arms around each other kissing slowly and passionately. Kelsey broke the kiss. "What am I doing?" "I have a family." "I can't do this." "I have to go."
"Kelsey wait." "I know you have a boyfriend but you're obviously not happy." "When I'm not with you I think about you all the time." "I like you, a lot." "I know you like me to."
"I love Zack, John." "I do like you but I can't do this." "I'm sorry." She got out of the car.
Later that night she and Zack were laying in bed.
"Kelsey what's wrong with you?" Zack asked. She was laying on her side facing away from him.
"Zack what is today?"
"The eighteenth." "Uh-oh." "Happy birthday."
"We've been together almost six years." "I can't believe you forgot."
"No wonder you're mad at me." He heard her start to cry. "Don't cry, please." He was stroking side of her arm. "I'm sorry." "I'm so sorry Kelsey." "Look at me."
"No."
"I love you." She turned over and faced him. "I feel terrible." "I'm a jerk." "On Saturday night let's go to dinner." "We'll leave Angela with your mom." "We can go to the restaurant where we had our first date."
"Yeah I have to pay for it."
"No." "No." "I'll pay for it."
"How?"
"I'll figure something out." "Ok?"
"Ok."
"Come here." He held her. He kissed her. "I love you so much Kelsey." "You and Angela are my life."
"I know." "I love you to."