Chapter 16
EILEEN
Eileen’s Sixteenth Birthday
“What are you guys doing today?” Camilla asks over the phone.
I shrug, but obviously she can’t see me, so I answer. “I honestly don’t know. Are you sure they didn’t organize a surprise party?”
My parents did it for Charlie’s sweet sixteen. Instead of a fancy party like she requested, they decided to throw her a surprise party with all her friends. The cake was pink with unicorns. They also gave her money for a trip with her bestie, Amanda.
The last part is what quieted the temper tantrum she had going when she realized that they hadn’t booked a ballroom or had a luxury car parked by the garage.
“Sorry, Eileen, if your parents organized it, they forgot to invite me.”
“Typical,” I say, scrunching my nose.
“Mom says to head over. She has a surprise for you,” Camilla announces. “If they let you, you can stay over.”
I look outside the window and spot my dad’s car. He’s parking by the driveway.
“Tell her thank you,” I say. “Dad’s here, and he has a box on the bed of the truck.”
“Call if you need me,” she says before hanging up.
Earlier today, Dad bought a new bicycle for my brother. His old one was stolen last week. As he tried his bike, I waited for Dad to unload his truck. Maybe they didn’t plan a party, but he hinted something about a new car.
At least I think that’s what he meant when he said, “Everyone has to have a set of wheels.”
I hope we go and check out Mrs. Johnson’s old car later this evening or tomorrow afternoon. Would this be it?
My stomach feels uneasy. What if this is yet another disastrous birthday? In all honesty, he hasn’t promised to buy me a car for my sixteenth birthday. Yeah, but I’ve been hinting that I had some money saved up, and if they matched the thousand dollars, I could buy my first new car.
“What are we doing today?” I asked Dad casually.
“I’m not sure honey. Why don’t you ask your mom,” he answers preoccupied.
Two can play at this game. “She’s still at work,” I say innocently.
“Well, let’s wait for her and see what she wants to do.”
I smile, going along with his ruse. He’s doing such a great job of playing dumb. They must have something really good planned for my birthday. Probably something to make up for the disaster of last year’s birthday dinner... or the wasp’s nest that ruined the year before that.
Maybe they’ve organized a surprise birthday party for me, and Camilla played dumb?
“Watch out shit-for-breath!” my brother shouts.
I turn around a second too late. His bike crashes into me, forcing my body to slam right against Dad’s truck. This is only the fourth most painful day of my life, sadly.
An hour later, I found myself at the ER getting X-rays. This is apparently cutting into Mom’s knitting club, which is something every girl wants to hear on her birthday. Did she forget my birthday?
I’m not going to cry; I’m not going to cry.
My throat is clogged with tears. I’m not sure if it’s the pain or the hurt that my mother finds me forgettable.
“Why couldn’t you be more careful, Eileen?” Mom chides me as she arrives in the emergency room.
My lip quivers. I can’t believe she’s not asking if I’m okay or says fucking happy birthday.
“You filled out all the information, Mr. McBean. You just forgot a few things,” the nurse states as she’s looking at the form.
Then, she looks at me. “Date of birth?”
“May twenty seventh,” I mumble under my breath.
She smiles and says, “We have a birthday girl. Happy Birthday! How old are you?”
“Sixteen,” I grumble.
“I bet you have a big party planned,” she says cheerfully and then looks at my leg. “We might have to cancel the first dance.”
I glance at my parents who are both red and staring at each other. They look at me like kicked puppy dogs. Great. They forgot, and now they feel guilty, so I have to pretend it’s okay.
Happy fucking birthday, Eileen.
“I’m sorry, honey,” Dad says when the nurse leaves. “I promise to make it up to you when you’re better.”
Is he ever going to make it up for every time he forgets I’m here?