3. I don't need boxes wrapped in strings…
Seeley Booth didn't need anything. It was just something for his little brother to take, or his father to throw. Things are just things. They have no real meanings. Things can't love you. Things can't make you feel better. Things can't make you happy.
This is what he convinced himself anyway.
His 13th birthday was today and he didn't have high expectations. It's not that his family was poor by any means, but most of their money seemed to go to his father's extra-curricular activities.
Sure he would get presents, his mother would bake a pie, they would sing Happy Birthday, and go on like they were an actual happy, loving family.
But the act was getting old.
Seeley hoped, for once, maybe they would forget his birthday.
On the upside, getting older meant growing up. Getting out. He smiles at this prospect and looks at his body in the mirror. He could actually see the muscles in his biceps getting bigger. He smiles and runs a hand through his new hair cut.
He was looking good.
He hears the car pull up earlier than usual and looks out of his bedroom window. He sighs and runs down the stairs.
To his surprise his father comes into the house on his own two feet. He has a brown box and a huge smile.
His mother was in the kitchen finishing up dinner and Jarred sat doing his homework at the table. None of them speak until his father does.
"Well son, umm, this is for you." He hands him the box and pats his shoulder once.
Seeley puts the box on the table and opens it slowly. It is filled with new hockey pads and pucks. He turns and looks at his family.
"Thanks Dad." He half-heartedly smiles. "This is really great."
Before his father can respond the phone rings.
And just like that, things go back to normal.
His father leaves to meet his drinking buddies at the bar. His mother quietly serves them dinner. Jarred runs outside, into the night, trying to stay out of the house as long as possible.
Seeley sits on his front porch flipping one of his new hockey pucks, until he loses the time. He checks his watch and sees that it is after midnight.
Another birthday gone and over with.
He looks up to the stars and smiles.
He is thankful for being a year older, but more importantly…
…surviving another year.
That is the best present he could ever have.