Letters to Oliver: I Wish I Had Never Left

by Sentimentalthoughts

Higher Ground left me wishing to hear the letters from Shane to Oliver. Since we didn't get that privilege, I decided to try to write a few. Again, it is the incredible skill of Martha Williamson and the talent of actors who have bring these characters to life and to our imaginations.

11. Chapter 11: My Birthday

Kind Readers, In this letter there is a sentence that is a nod to An Affair to Remember. If you have seen the movie, I'm sure will you will notice.

April 30

Today was my birthday. My team threw a party for me, complete with a cake.

In the interest of full disclosure, Steve bought me a birthday present. He said that he was trying to make up for my having to stay longer than expected. I don't know what the gift was. I didn't accept it. It was in a small, rectangular, turquoise box with a white ribbon. How he acquired that from here I'll never know. That seemed an inappropriate package to offer an employee. I told him that I didn't think that you would like it; and if you didn't like it, then I wouldn't either. I didn't meant to offend him, but I wanted to be perfectly clear. You might say – return to sender.

To the rest of the team I smiled and expressed all the appropriate words of appreciation. But in my heart, I ached. My mind went back to another party – Happy Birthday Shan – a solar powered abacus – a porch swing. As soon as I could gracefully bow out, I returned to my room to write you.

I would give anything to celebrate my birthday with you. You wouldn't have to buy me a present. I don't need a cake – not even with a good curd. I don't need Montaldo's. If I could sit on the porch with your arm around me, I would be perfectly content.

Ready to celebrate with you,

Shane