55. Make A Wish
55
make a wish
Greyson
Manhattan, NY | March 11, 2024
I turn the key to my door of my apartment, and darkness welcomes me as I step inside. I’m suddenly brought back to that night eight years ago and my stomach sinks. I consider turning around and leaving, but my dad is on my heels. I take a breath when he squeezes my shoulder, urging me to move forward. When we close the door behind us, Clifford starts sniffing and darts towards the couch. The house is still silent until we hear a thud, followed by a hushed “Dammit” and a fit of familiar giggles.
I flick the light switch and “Surprise” is exclaimed in unison, with Dad joining in. Mom, Selah and my friends come out of hiding with nervous smiles. I’m stunned, I glance over my shoulder at my smiling dad who was in on this. Henry pops up from where Clifford disappeared to. Supposedly, he was smuggling food before dinner, so of course my dog charged him, causing him to topple over. I’m excited to see him and my friends, who I realize have heard a lot about Selah, but haven’t met her before now .
I stand there just taking it all in for a moment and I’m grateful. My friends greet me with hugs, and I thank them for coming. Alex brings me a finger of whiskey, I catch up with him and Elena, finding myself glancing at Selah often. She must’ve gone home to change, and I can’t wait to rip this dress off her. I’ll admire it for now, but it’ll get better acquainted with my floor tonight. That is, if she hasn’t had enough of me yet. She’s in the kitchen talking to my parents and they are hitting it off. Henry was helping and stealing food, so I assume mom kicked him out since he’s setting the table. She finally notices me staring and I urge her to join me. Moments later, she makes her way over with a glass of white wine and my hand is on the small of her back the moment she’s in reach.
The north to my south, an undeniable attraction.
She fits right into the conversation, and I can tell off rip that my friends like her. They’re very opinionated, Alex especially. He’s direct and would’ve let me know immediately if something seemed off about her. Whereas Elena tends to be more delicate with her delivery.
After a few minutes, I excuse us so we can have a moment to chat alone. There’s a worried expression on her face that I want to kiss away.
“I hope you’re not upset. It was my idea to invite Henry and your friends. Then they told me that’s how you liked to celebrate before?—”
I interrupt and take her hand to graze my thumb over her knuckles. “This is perfect. I’m not upset. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this morning. I just don’t have?—”
“It’s okay. We were a bit distracted anyway,” she says, looking down at her feet.
“That we were. I won’t keep anything from you again. You didn’t have to do all this,” I wave toward the party. “But I really appreciate it. Thank you.”
She meets my gaze and the tension in her shoulders has melted away .
“It gets better than this, you’ll see. I wanted to do this for you. Everyone should be celebrated on their birthday.”
I’m already picturing what to do for her birthday, even though she hates surprises.
I realize how hesitantly I’ve been in fear of scaring her off, but what she pulled off last minute is proof that I’m not the only one interested in something more. The day began with her coming on my tongue and ended with her planning a surprise dinner for my birthday. I’m tempted to kiss her in front of everyone right now. How else could I thank her?
The thought is fleeting once my brother whines, “Can we eat, already? I have nibbled enough and Clifford took the last of my stash.”
The room bursts into laughter. Henry Park, always ruining the moment.
I should’ve done it as soon as it crossed my mind. The next time I kiss her I may not come up for air.
My mom comes up and directs me to the spread on my dining table, half of it is full of my favorite Korean dishes. Galbi Jjim? 1 , algamja jorim? 2 , hobak bokkeum? 3 , kimchi bokkeumbap? 4 , sangchu geotjeori? 5 , and miyeokguk? 6 , which is a birthday tradition in our culture. I smile when I notice the Wanja Jorim? 7 that my mom was teaching Selah to make earlier. Her taking the time to learn about my culture and prepare this meal with my family is a gift.
The other half of the spread features my favorites from Elena’s restaurant, Aguilar’s . There’s a platter to make your own tacos, elotes? 8 , conchas? 9 and flan. My heart swells because I know how busy she is and I’m grateful she’s here.
Elena breaks my daze from the table when she announces, “I brought chamangos? 10 too! They’re in the freezer!”
My eyes light up. “You’re spoiling me. Say no more.”
I take a seat at the head of the table with Selah beside me. Everyone gets comfortable as we pass along the bowls, filling our plates ‘til we’re all content. We say ‘? ????? jal meokgetseumnida? 11 ,’ before eating. It’s not a meal with my family without embarrassing stories from my childhood and when Henry laughs a little too hard, I share some of his as well. The college stories are equally embarrassing, and I’ll be hoarse later from all this laughing. Selah shines and is engaged in our ridiculous ramblings. I can’t tell if it’s the wine or my presence that’s relaxed her, but I love seeing her bloom publicly.
I can’t remember the last time we all had dinner together, maybe when I founded SoulBlend? Or when Elena opened Aguilar’s ? Either way, it’s been too long and that stops today. I always appreciated how my parents welcomed any kid into the fold growing up. There was always more than enough food and room at the table. Any friend of ours was considered family. I’m overjoyed at Selah experiencing that same sentiment tonight.
I’ll admit when I woke up this morning, all I wanted was to be alone with her. I look around this room and everyone I love is here because of her and my meddling parents. I honestly can’t think of a better way to have spent the day. I’m also regretful for the previous years I’ve spent this day alone. I didn’t have to be alone, and they would’ve shown up for me. They did show up for me.
Everyone should be celebrated on their birthday.
My dad and I had a much-needed talk and will be closer because of it. My mom shared recipes with Selah and she did an amazing job cooking. My parents got to celebrate with both their boys under one roof. Homesick Henry shared a meal with us and there’s plenty of leftovers to take back to school with him. Elena took a night off and it felt like old times. Alex is always in good spirits when the trio is together. Clifford got tacos so he’s happy no matter what. I introduced my Sunflower to my favorite people, and they made her feel right at home.
I’m released from my thoughts by everyone singing “Happy Birthday.” Selah carefully brings the cake to the table, placing it in front of me. It’s a fresh cream cake, my favorite, topped with numeric candles that read 32 . It looks delicious and between us all, there'll be none left at the end of the night.
She stands beside me in a lavender dress that accentuates her curves, her curls are down her back with one side pinned above her ear. She’s wearing a dangly earring that I study closely and I realize it’s a sunflower. I hadn’t noticed it earlier, she usually wears hoops, I love it. She snaps pictures of the cake with pride etched across her face. When she leans forward with the lighter, her proximity has my dick stirring in my pants and I’m strongly resisting the urge to palm her ass.
Down boy. We have company.
I whisper, “Did you make this with my mom?”
“I did. I hope you like it.”
“I already do. Thank you.”
I smile up at her as she lights the wicks and backs away, returning to my side. I stare at the cake as the flames sway, overwhelmed with gratitude.
“Make a wish, Grey.”
I close my eyes and blow out the candles.
I wish she was mine.
I open my eyes, and she stands before me with a bright smile that illuminates the room as if the candles were still aflame.
“Did you make a good wish?”
“The best one. ”
“I hope you get everything you wished for.”
“Me too,” I say softly.
“Let us eat cake!” she exclaims followed by a giggle.
I sit back, admiring her as she slices into the cake and that’s when it hits me.
I’m in love with Selah and she doesn’t even know it.
1 ? Beef short ribs
2 ? Korean braised potatoes
3 ? Zucchini stir fry
4 ? Kimchi fried rice
5 ? Korean romaine lettuce salad
6 ? Seaweed soup
7 ? Korean meatballs
8 ? Corn
9 ? Mexican sweet bread
10 ? Mexican frozen mango drink
11 ? “I’ll eat well.”