Chapter Nine

"Goodnight, Ms. Black! And happy birthday." My manager waved to me and smiled.

"Thanks. See you Monday."

I got in my new car and sped off towards my house. This week was exhausting. Sales, all day everyday. But hey, at least I was getting paid. That's all I cared about really. My car was too silent, so I turned on the radio.

"And tonight, we have a single by the Ramones! This one's called 'Do You Wanna Dance' from their 1982 album 'Road To Ruin'. Enjoy folks."

My heart skipped a beat. I loved this song...of course, it reminded me of someone familiar. I shook the thought from my head, and turned off the radio. Forget it, I'd just ride home in silence.

When I got home, I realized that my mom hadn't returned just yet. She was probably working late again. I went into the kitchen and fixed myself dinner. Tonight was my night to celebrate my birthday. And what other way to celebrate than to sit on the couch and eat ice cream? Yes, I know. I was aware that I had no life. If I wanted to, I could go out all night, but I just didn't want to. So I guess I'd be spending all my time at the house until I went back to work on Monday.

. . .

"Are you sure you don't want anything for your birthday?" My mom asked. She arrived home, and we sat in the dining room and ate our dinner together.

"No, all I need is another year of happiness and love. That's really all I've ever wanted..." I smiled and continued to eat. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. "Hm. Who could that be?" I walked over to the door and opened it.

"Surprise!" It was Ann and Mayra who stood there with a huge cake. "Happy birthday!"

I laughed. "Aw,you guys. You didn't have to do this."

"Of course we did, don't be silly. It's your birthday. What kind of friends would we be if we didn't do anything for you today?"

I gestured them to come into the house. They set the cake down on the counter.

"Let's start eating it now! I'm starved," Ann said.

"Alright, just give me a second." I took me and my mom's plates and put them in the sink. "Want some cake, mom?"

She laughed. "Sure, why not?"

"And to celebrate you being twenty-one," Mayra said, "We have some drinks in the car outside, but we'll bring them in later."

"You guys know I've already had alcohol way before I was this age though." I smiled and took a slice of cake, then sat down.

"Well duh, but now you can have it without going to jail."

"What did you guys bring anyways?"

"Nothing hard, some wine coolers."

Later on, my mom, Ann, Mayra, and myself went out dancing. I told them I didn't really want to, but they insisted, so I just decided to go along with it. I actually ended up having fun, too. I should probably get out the house more.

When my mom and I got home, it was pretty late and we were tired.

My mom sighed. "I think I'm going to head to bed for the night, honey. Alright?"

"Sure mom, that's fine. Goodnight."

She leaned forward and kissed my cheek. "'Night, Angela. Happy birthday."

I chuckled. "Thanks, mom."

After she went in her room, I took some time to clean up a little. I washed the dishes, swept the floor and wiped the counters. I was in the middle of eating some more cake when the phone rang. Seriously, who would be dumb enough to call this late? Oh well.

I walked over to the telephone and picked it up. "Hello?"

There was no reply. This was weird.

"Hello? Anybody there?"

"Angela? It's me, Johnny."

Every muscle in my body stopped, and my blood went cold...