Chapter Twenty-three: Wishful Thinking

Slowly wandering in the one-story, pine timber square dwelling, the droning fish-man was eyeing every nook and cranny. Following many games of Hot Potato and an exciting type of tag called Red Light, Green Light, the two best friends were presently engaging in a game titled Hide and Go Seek. So far, they had played five times, and it was Joy who always hid. Moreau didn't mind being the seeker. Not at all. Because he couldn't exactly shroud his wide and gnarled girth with the limited furniture that their two-room lodge contained. And using enzyme walls to sneak behind wouldn't exactly be... sneaky.

On the contrary, Joy was quite good at masking herself with her short and petite form, and it took some time for Moreau to find her. The last place she hid, Moreau had given up, and Joy appeared out of the wall-closet within the small hallway. The small woman managed to nestle herself at its very bottom, cloaking herself with the thick bath towels.

"Where arrreee youuu~?" the fish-man drawled while exiting the kitchen and raking through the living area.

Slightly biting his tongue to silence himself, Moreau crept to their comfy couch and placed a bare foot underneath, hoping for a little tap.

"Is Joy... here?"

Before the game, Joy pleaded for him not to bend his back. So, when Moreau wanted to check a spot that was very low to the floor, he would point with his toes and if Joy was nearly in reach, she would let him know that she was discovered.

Moreau scrunched his lips and huffed. No tap meant no sneaky, squeaky friend.

Humming flatly to himself, the fish-man's cloudy pupils flitted to the couch itself.

"Hmmm... Maybe Joy's- AH-HA!"

With the dented seat cushion in his hands, his grin upturned. He was staring at a bare, cubic space.

Oh... Dang! I thought she'd be behind the right cushion this time!

Grumbling to himself, Moreau avoided his mind and tongue from swearing for his precious person.

Well, with a recent pinning game being an exception to this rule.

With a brief shrug, Moreau readied to head for the kitchen again.

"Tee-hee-hee..! Tee-hee... hee!"

The tiny tittering with a squeak in between made Moreau partly turn toward the twin bedstead. He smirked broadly.

I think the cat knows where the mouse is!

As light-footed as the weighty fish-man could try to be, he carefully advanced to the bed and as before, he put a foot below the wooden frame, slowly swishing it to and fro amid pauses. He also realized that Joy hadn't hid there since the first day she arrived at their lodge; when he was considered a stranger.

Moreau's mouth-line curved. That was hard to reimagine because it felt like they'd always been friends.

However, his smile flattened as his brow crinkled further from puzzlement. No foot tap.

"Huh? I could've sworn Joy would be here..."

Bubbly sounds resumed again and his view rose to the mattress. But there was no one lying on it.

As it seemed at first...

Moreau noticed that the large single pillow appeared higher than usual. He stifled a chortle.

"Oh, well... I guess Joy isn't here..."

Staying in place, he marched curtly on the planks and waited. And once the brown-sheeted pillow began to waggle, Moreau quickly grabbed the cottony rectangle as if he had caught a prized salmon.

"There you arrreee~!" he decreed triumphantly. "I found youuu~!"

With a little pucker, the curled-up young woman uncoiled her limbs and sat up.

"Oh fudge sickles! I didn't think ya would ever find me under dare." She threw her friend an admirable smirk. "But ya found me right away. It looks like Mo's getting good at Hide and Seek!"

He lightly bopped her nose with a fingertip, instigating a giggle.

"Hmm-hmm-hmm! It helps the cat when the mouse squeaks."

"Wait. I squeaked?" asked his confused friend. "You mean I laughed? Really?"

The fish-man blinked fast a few times then nodded. "Really, really."

Joy pursed her lips to the side. "But dis mouse got really quiet when da kitty sneaked over-"

The same bubbling returned, but this time around, a bit louder. The two sets of wide eyes glanced down at the woman's short midsection.

"Oopsie!" Joy giggled, holding her cranky abdomen. "I guess my tummy's da one dat gave my hiding spot away."

Moreau's chuckles harmonized with Joy's. True, they have been playing party games all afternoon. And like the card games, neither kept score to just enjoy the pastimes.

With her legs still folded, the woman shuffled to reach her blue jeans' back pocket, pulling out the to-do list of birthday games.

"Looks like we finished da chosen games."

Moreau cast a sideward glimpse at the lowering light through the four windows of the living quarters. He grinned sheepishly when his stomach also made its hunger known.

"Well, it does look- sound like it's time for dinnertime!"

Eagerly, Joy slipped off the mattress and hopped to her feet.

"Uh-huh! My tummy must know how ta read sun-time, too!" She hummed to herself, tucking back in the tiny list. "I think we should take a wittle break from birthday'ing ta eat.

"Oh!" Moreau gasped hopefully. "Birthday cake?!"

"Tee-hee! Not yet, Mo. But soon, I promise."

Despite his friend's pledge, the fish-man crossed his thin forearms, tapping a coated, skinny elbow. He believed her, but waiting for the secret treat was just so hard for his weakening patience.

"Please don't worry, Mo," cooed Joy while patting his upper limb. "The best parts'a our birthday'll be right after dinner. ...We shouldn't skip a meal but how'bout we have a wittle warm soup? It's light so it'll give our tummies lots'a space for..."

"Birthday cake!" the pair finished in gleeful unison.

With throaty giggles, Moreau flapped his hands as he began to waddle past Joy.

"Yes, yes, yes! Let's, let's have soup right now!"

The surprised woman laughed at how fast her rotund friend's tiny feet could move. For someone who never had a birthday cake before, he certainly could not wait to have it!

Following the abstemious serving of tomato and pea soup, the bowls and spoons had been washed and put in the dishrack to dry. And presently, Joy stood in the middle of the two kitchen chairs that were set in front of their respective plates, forks, and cups of coconut milk.

After making sure the main concealed delight was perfectly centered on the table, Joy turned her view toward Moreau as he reentered the kitchen.

"I didn't want ta put in any snowy-ice in our cups 'cause it wouldn't make da milk creamy anymore. I hope it's okay dat it won't be very cold."

"Yes, yes, it's okay, Joy!" remarked Moreau as he presented his filled hands.

The young woman glanced at his find and bounced with a clap.

"Yay! Ya got dem!"

To the friends' delight, there were a dozen white candles stored in one of the bottom drawers of the large dresser; most likely in the event that the cabin's lanterns broke or ran out of oil. Living solo, the original cabin owner must have been practical and well-prepared.

With the exception of being deceived by a former ruler of his village.

Moreau scanned the short, waxy sticks. "Are you sure two is enough, Joy?"

Joy made a firm bow of the head. "Uh-huh! Too many lighted candles aren't safe. But dare's two'a us so two candles're perfect!"

With squinted sights from beaming at his cherished friend, Moreau brought the held candles to his chest.

"Yes... perfect..."

Raising her lips, the woman bent her torso forward, placing her fingertips at the rim of the upside-down white bowl.

"Is Mo ready ta see?"

Bobbing his head, Moreau wriggled in place. "Yes, yes, yes! Yes! Mo's ready!"

Watchfully, Joy lifted the porcelain boule...

"Tada!" she peeped proudly, putting the makeshift cover aside.

Grinning, the fish-man gaped at the charming, circular desert. It had ornamental vertical ridges, and the sable cake was drizzled with some kind of pure white coating which shimmered from the kitchen windows like freshly fallen snow. It looked like one of the polished fares from those cooking shows on the old video box!

"Oh, my!" breathed out Moreau, flaring his intrigued nostrils, for the cake still retained the sweet, alluring aroma that was perceived throughout the cabin when it had baked.

"It's chocolate cake with white glaze," said Joy, still beaming brightly. "So, whud'dya think?"

Moreau marveled at his gifted friend. "Mo thinks Joy's the best cook... I mean, the best baker! It's, it's just like the cakes I've seen on the... T.V!"

With rosy cheeks, Joy scratched the side of her neck.

"Awe... Thank you, Mo."

"Joy is most welcome! ...But..." Moreau's eyes peered upwards in thought. "What is... glaze?"

"It's a very sweet topping for cakes and just another name for icing. I made it with some'a da coconut milk. ...We didn't have any powdered sugar, so I had ta figure something out."

"I see," the fish-man remarked, not sure what powdered sugar even was. "So, Joy had to... uhhh... I'm- Impra Improe..."

The young woman fluttered her auburn lashes. "Improvise?"

"Yes, that's it. Tricky word."

"Tee-hee, thank you!"

Moreau admired the shimmery desert and tilted his view.

"Sugar comes in powder?"

"Ummm..." Joy tapped a lower lip. "Well... Not exactly... I had ta improvise. I found out by my grandma what powdered sugar was made'a. It's cornstarch and sugar mixed up. ...Luckily, we had dose, so I just mixed da two up."

Moreau admired his friend's ingenuity. "Joy is super-duper smart!"

Joy beamed bashfully. "Thanks, Mo. My bestie is pretty smart too."

Moreau smiled back. His mutated soul still knew he would never be pretty... Nevertheless, the fish-man truly believed that he was becoming smarter, thanks to the wonderful teaching of his precious person.

With an open hand, Joy signaled to the bunt cake, giving her friend the incentive.

"Oh, right! The, the candles!" he chuckled, returning from his introspect.

Joy looked on happily as her friend approached the table and did as she had explained to him previously. With slow but deep judgment, he put the candles atop the chocolatey desert; each across its holey center. Moreau licked his moistening mouth. It really did resemble a big, delectable-looking donut!

Opening a pack of matches from the table, he stroked one and proceeded to ignite one of the tiny wicks.

"Please, be careful Mo," whispered Joy.

With a deep drone and nod, he took her words of caution to heart, staying steady with the match. And once the second candle was alight, he promptly puffed at the minuscule stick and placed it down.

"How is that, Joy?"

The woman discerned her friend's handiwork and put out a small thumb.

"It looks perfect. Great and safe job!"

Moreau smiled proudly. "Thank you, Joy."

"Mo is most welcome!"

Moreau's beam broadened from hearing his friend recite the polite line again. However, he looked back to the radiant cake and idly scratched the big ridge of his brow.

"Uhhhhh... Speaking of being safe... I... forget. How do we eat our birthday cake without burning our tongues?"

Joy hid her curled lips. "Tee-hee! Don't worry, Mo. Da candles won't be lit on da cake when we eat it. First, we sing and blow out da candles. Den, we open presents and enjoy our birthday cake."

The cloudy sights of the fish-man seem to miraculously shimmer. Though he couldn't wait to enjoy his first-ever birthday cake, he was extremely excited about the gift exchange, just as well.

The young woman skipped into the living quarters to collect something from the coffee table and came back in, holding a set of molded shapes, made of aluminum foil. Moreau looked over the silvery concocted things with perplexed interest. They were round and pointy at the top.

"Are those the party hats that you told me about, Joy?"

"Uh-huh. Dey are... Welp, sorta... Dey're almost cone-shaped." Joy tersely lifted her shoulders. "It was da best I could do with da tinfoil."

Her smiling friend nodded approvingly which made the woman feel a little better at her crooked craftsmanship.

"No rubber bands or strings ta put around our faces, so we can just remove dem when it's time ta blow out da candles."

Moreau bobbed his head again. Taking the fact that his chin wasn't exactly small enough to keep a line from popping.

The dual both took to their chairs and much to Moreau's delight, they were side by side.

With a little effort, Joy positioned the malformed silver cap over the fish-man's bald top. She had used multiple pieces of foil to make his hat more willing to fit. She saw the consternation upon his aged features.

"What's wrong, Mo? Is your birthday hat too tight?"

Moreau's eyes jerked toward hers. He suppressed shaking his head so his special hat wouldn't tumble.

"No-no... The hat is... perfect, Joy... It's just..." He sighed gruffly. "I... can't sing."

Joy cupped her friend's shoulder the best she could and beamed warmly.

"Dat's alright, Mo. I'm not da best at singing, either."

Moreau stared at the humble woman in incredulous wonder. It was amazing to listen to her hum prettily while she moiled with chores. He yearned for his slurry, throaty voice to be as light and chipper as hers.

"Happy Birthday is super-duper easy ta sing," stated Joy, placing her foil hat atop a deep red scalp. "Do ya remember how it goes?"

Moreau's grin resurfaced. "Yes, yes, I do."

Joy had written the short song down and he spent a whole hour memorizing it. He wanted his chant to be perfect like his best friend.

"I'll sing ta you first so ya'll know how da sing it. Den, ya can sing ta me, alright?"

The fish-man gazed at the tiny flames on the candles pirouetting in the reflecting bright green orbs.

"All right... Joy."

Fruitlessly, Moreau folded his hands over his chest to quiet his heart rate.

Joy's going to sing to me! Joy's going to sing to me!

With a small and shy smile, the young woman took a quick breath through her nose and partly swayed to her left to focus on her awaiting best friend.

"Happy Birthday ta you... Happy Birthday ta you... Happy Birthday ta MOoooo~! Happy Birthday ta you!"

Timidly, Joy looked away for a fleeting moment and tittered. Her range was a bit off, but she wanted to keep a steady tempo.

"I know dat wasn't very goo-"

"Joy is the best singer!" acclaimed Moreau after applauding. "It was very pretty!"

The woman's blush etched over her cheeks and the small bridge of her nose.

"Thanks, Mo..." Her beam brightened. "Now it's your turn."

Swallowing, the fish-man made an edgy yet proud grin to return the favor. Concentrating, he stared at the birthday cake for inspiration and put his fist to a tautened mouth.

"Uh'hem... H-happy... Birthday... to you... Happy Birthday to... you... ...Happy Birthday... to JOYyyyy~!"

He faced his charmed friend and matched her smile.

"Happy Birthday... to you!"

Moreau let out a crestfallen respire. He knew his mutated voice wasn't too pleasant and he sang way out of rhythm...

"Dat was lovely, Mo!" praised Joy, lacing hands underneath her small and round chin.

For a moment, Moreau blinked widely at her specific compliment.

"Really?"

"Really, really!"

Chuckling coyly, Moreau rubbed a warm cheek as Joy removed their party hats and laid them on the table. This reminded the grinning fish-man that now was the time to blow out their candles! He eased forth and readied to take in a breath.

"Oh, please wait, Mo!" implored the woman. "I'm sorry, I almost forgot. We need ta make our wishes first!"

The fish-man flittered his eyes and with his hands still on the rim of the square table, he pushed himself back.

"Wishes?"

"Uh-huh! We get ta make one birthday wish each but we can't tell each other what it is."

Moreau slanted his head. "How do we do that, Joy?"

"We think'a our birthday wishes really good... like dis..."

Moreau watched Joy's eyelids slide shut as she dipped her head. Then, with wistful understanding, he mirrored her silent actions.

After the serene minute, Joy looked at him.

"Did'ja make your birthday wish?"

Raising his head and blinking his sights open, Moreau gazed at his beaming, perfect, precious person at his right, sitting beside him... willingly and welcomingly.

"Yes... Yes, I did."

"Great!" Joy indicated to the glowing desert. "Alright, let's blow out our candles before da wax becomes part'a da cake! We don't wanna eat yucky wucky waxy icing!"

Joy stuck her tongue all the way out while grimacing, making her friend chuckle robustly.

"He-hee-hee! Me... Me neither!"

The two friends fronted their selected candles.

"Wanna blow dem out together?"

A small gasp left the fish-man's mouth.

Together...

He responded with an assured and quick nod.

The woman grinned happily. "Alright! On da count'a three..."

Refocusing on the set of white sticks, Moreau and Joy laid their hands atop the table and partly leaned forward. And after the short countdown, the little sunny flames were extinguished in unison.

Shifting back, Moreau and Joy reopened their eyes to see the thin trails of wiggly smoke departing from the wicks. The light smoky scent was oddly intriguing.

"Remember, Mo." His friend lifted a little index finger. "We don't tell each other our wish till it comes true, alright?"

Grinning determinedly, Moreau made an absolute bow of the head.

"All right, Joy!"

He dwelled on his birthday wish and his ashen lips spread higher and higher. Because something told the Lord of the Lodge that he would be able to let his Lady know about his wish very soon.