Surprise (Inspired by Rudy Francisco)

December 31^st was a Saturday

The year I was in 10^th grade

Cupcakes with pink frosting and balloons shouting cliches

Wrapped gifts and colorful streamers

Always filled the classroom

But what happens when it’s on a weekend?

When you’re not going to see your friends

Until the moment has passed?

I thought I was popular

I thought I had a lot of friends

I had baked the requisite brownies

And bought the expected gifts

Friday came

And went

No balloons

No cake

No presents

“Shoshana!”

I turn expectantly

“Isn’t it your birthday tomorrow?”

“It is”

“I just realized”

Cool

Home

A safe haven

No rejection
Until I see my brother
But, hey, that's what family is for

Sunday came

No texts blowing up my phone

Had I misjudged so grossly

Mom kept asking if I needed to study

What did it matter?

I was a straight A student

She needn’t worry

Dad asked me to go shopping

For a gift

For my mom

Despondent, I agreed

We didn’t buy anything

We returned home empty handed

Mom called me to the basement

As if there was a tornado
wreaking havoc

In New York

In the Winter

But we listen to our mothers

SURPRISE

My sister sprays me with something

I stop breathing

My mouth is gaping
My eyes are glassy
Hand clutching my chest

My friends hadn’t forgotten

And I had even more then I thought

Some get a classroom filled with balloons

I got a surprise sweet sixteen soiree

And a memory that will last
longer then cupcakes and balloons