“I missed you so much, Clem. I just reached home. When are you coming from work?” Her excited voice brings a smile to my lips, maybe for the first time in the past few days.
“I missed you, too. I’m so proud of you, girl.” Merida’s project won first prize. She sent me a picture of her with a giant gold trophy, passing on the good news. I reply to her gingerly, “I might have to stay the night here.”
“Stay the night? Like sleep on a chair?” I can almost see her nose crinkling at the thought. “You are becoming like Dad. Come home, Clem. I’ve so much to tell you.”
My throat tightens at the thought of disappointing her. “Mere—”
“It’s my birthday, Clem.” Her soft voice breaks my heart, as usual.
“Oh, Mere! Happy birthday.” I realize how short a time I’ve been with Mere…and Keith. Yet, they have become such an important part of my life.
“Thank you. I was hoping you and me could at least have some dessert together. Dad and I… We don’t really celebrate my birthday.”
The heaviness in her voice speaks to my own melancholy. I’m now beyond pissed at Keith.
What kind of man is he?
He has such an amazing daughter, but he’s got no appreciation for her. He lives so much in his own head and doesn’t even care about the good around him.
“I’ll be there,” I tell Mere.
To hell with Keith.
“Thank you. Thank you, Clem,” she squeals into the phone.
I end the call and think about Merida’s birthday, when a plan slowly forms in my head.
I call Tiki’s and Lukas before wrapping up my work.
When I get into Lukas’s car, he asks, “What brightened your day? You were pretty gloomy this morning.”
I ignore his question. “Did you do what I asked?”
“Yes, ma’am. Everything from your list is in the back seat. Are you going to tell me now?”
“It’s a surprise.” I turn around to find a bag from Cakes for All, the bakery owned by my friend Hope Teager who specializes in custom cakes.
“Thanks. We need to make one more stop before we get home.”
It’s already six thirty by the time Lukas and I reach the Kings Security campus. At my request, Carter has taken Mere out for twenty minutes, giving me enough time to set up everything for her surprise party.
“Where do you want these?” Irritation drips from Gavin’s voice as he holds up three colorful balloons tied to a streamer. “What is this shit about a welcome-home party?” he asks in his usual grumpy voice.
Seeing the decorations and food, the guys assumed I was throwing Mere a welcome-home party and I didn’t correct them. I’m sure it’ll be added fun for Mere to see their faces when they realize the truth.
“Anywhere on that wall.” I point to a wall facing the L-shaped couch.
I don’t miss him mumbling, “You said there’d be free food. You forgot to mention we’d have to work for it.”
I arrange Tiki’s burgers and Mere’s favorite strawberry slush on the dining table. Under it, there is beer for the guys.
I finally peek into the cardboard cake box and gasp at the designer cake in pink and purple, a candle with the number fourteen on top of it.
Wow! Hope went all out with this one.
I just told her purple is Mere’s favorite color, but I’d be happy with anything on such short notice.
“At least this looks good,” Gavin grunts, glancing at the cake above my shoulder and I quickly close the box.