My birthday is tomorrow. It will be the first birthday I've ever spent without my husband since I turned 21, and the sixth without Anne. This story always makes me smile because sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to get yourself a birthday cake. My 39th birthday proved to be one of those.
I'm not sure what it is about birthday cake. Whether it's the
candles, the delicious treat, or the fact that it acknowledges a
birthday, I don't know, but I love everything about them.
Whatever it is, cake is definitely the best part of my birthday and a celebration just isn't complete without one.
For
years, I used to bake my own birthday cake but the last few years I got
bored with that. Besides, there's a fantastic bakery in town that
makes chocolate ganache cakes, with are my very favorite. Dark
chocolate sponge, layered with rich ganache, they are the most decadent
and delicious cakes I have ever eaten in my life.
My
birthday came, and I went to work with a teeny bit of anticipation that
somewhere in my day, there would be cake. Hopefully chocolate. Let's
be honest; I expected cake. It's a birthday for God's sake, isn't that
just what happens?
So when I spotted a chocolate cake
sitting there I jumped a bit inside with excitement because wow, maybe
there will be TWO birthday cakes! Talk about indulgence! Isn't that the
best way
to end your 30s? Isn't it great when people celebrate with you and
acknowledge your birthday? Doesn't it make you feel special and loved,
appreciated and all warm and fuzzy?
The cake wasn't for me.
Deflated,
I sucked it up. I'm a big girl, and I realize that not everyone cares
if it's your birthday. I accepted a piece of the impostor cake, choked
it down, and reminded myself to grow up. It's not that important. Deal
with it. Besides, I'll have MY birthday cake later that evening with
the most important people in my family, right?
Later
that evening, Hubs took me and Jake out for dinner to our favorite
restaurant where we dined on delicious cheesy pizza, tall glasses of
Coke, and laughed about our day. This is what birthdays are all about.
I'm getting to spend it with the two best people in my life over a
great meal!
"See you at home!" I called to John when we left. My cake is hiding in his car, I thought. I'll
bet he stopped at the bakery on the way here and got it. I wonder
which kind he bought? I hope it's chocolate ganache. Oooo, I'll have
some with a cup of decaf, we'll all chill out on the couch in front of
the TV and it will be the BEST way to end a birthday.
My mouth was practically watering with anticipation.
We arrived home and I began fixing coffee, when I heard Hub's car pull into the driveway.
Okay, get ready to squeal and give him a kiss, because going to walk in with the box any second.
The door opened and I could hear him coming into the kitchen.
Get the coffee ready. I can't wait to...
When
he rounded the corner, he froze when our eyes met. I just stood there,
looking at his hands and then back at his face, my mouth gaping in
shock.
He wasn't holding a box.
"Didn't you...I mean...isn't there... cake?" I squeaked. My expression must have shown how upset I was. He looked confused.
"But you said not to buy you a cake. You said that they might give you one at work and you didn't need two. You said that it was okay!"
Hubs was horrified. He would NEVER forget to get me a birthday cake but
somehow, we miscommunicated and he thought that I didn't want one.
What? How did that happen? Was I really that stupid? I don't remember
saying that, but he obviously got that impression somehow, so what the
hell happened?
All I know is that we sat there that evening watching TV, and all I could think about was chocolate ganache cake.
The
next day we had a meeting at Kevin's school and as we sat there talking
about IEPS, computers, and math class but all the while, in my brain,
chocolate ganache cake was calling.
"So we're covering fractions and Kevin.."
One
chocolate ganache cake divided for three people doesn't mean we each
get 1/3 because it's so rich but usually we each get 1/4 and then fight
over the last 1/4. But the big cake is too big and we never can eat it
all so....
It was hopeless. I wanted cake, dammit.
Finally after what felt like forever, we were pulling away from the
school but instead of turning right to go home, I turned left.
"Where are we going?"
"We're
getting ourselves some birthday cake," I parked at the bakery and
turned to face Jake, who was eying me like I had suddenly lost my mind.
"Don't other people usually do that? Who buys their own cake?"
"I do. I'm 39 and if nobody else is getting me a birthday cake, I'm damn well buying my own."
Kevin grinned in delight.
"Really?
Will you share? Will I get some?" I could see his teenage brain
already cutting up the cake and deciding how much everyone would have.
"Of
course! Just stay here, and I'll be right back," jogging to the bakery
front doors, part of me hoped that they would even have chocolate
ganache cake left. I might have to settle for something else. No
matter. Tonight my friends, we will dine on cake.
At the bakery doors, I stopped dead. Wait a minute, the lights are off. It can't be...no please don't tell me...
THE BAKERY IS CLOSED?!?
You've
GOT to be kidding me. Is this a conspiracy? The bakery is closed? Is
the universe telling me that THIS year, I'm not destined to have cake even if I plan to buy my own?
...to be continued
(Will Karen ever get her birthday cake? Or will she forever be in the birthday Twilight Zone, searching for it? )