their love is an epic fairytale.
High school sweethearts and first loves, they got married not too long after they started college. They struggled to make ends meet, living in a tiny apartment that had practically no furniture and a neighbor that liked to sing show tunes during odd hours of the night. Add that to finals and part-time jobs, they were under a lot of stress.
Although most people spend their time in college figuring out what they want in life, my mom wanted to share the journey with my dad. And my dad . . . well, he remembers those days as “some of the best.”
Eventually, they both graduated and found steady jobs. Two years later, the first of the Baker clan was born. My brother, Loki, who’s off at college studying philosophy and dating girls who wear lots of black and, in my opinion, seem really sullen about life. Loki seems happy, though. Well, about as happy as any other philosophy major.
I dream of one day finding what my parents have. If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll end up having it with Ben.
“You about ready to go?” my mom asks me as she scoops up the car keys from the counter.
“Yes siree.” I munch on my toast while my parents exchange a look. “I’m starting to get really curious about where we’re going. And if I had known Dad was in on the secret, I would have wiggled it out of him before you got down here.
“All I’m going to say is that you’re going to love it.” My dad returns to the stove with his back turned to me.
“Are you going to be able to take the day off?” my mom asks my dad as she gets an energy drink from the fridge. “So you can go with us?”
“Yep. I told Maggie she’d have to hold down the fort on her own,” my dad replies as he screws the cap on a gallon of milk. “But I have to run in and help her open up first, so I’ll be about another hour.”
My dad owns a quaint bookstore in one of the quieter areas of the town. During the summers, I spend a lot of time there, helping out and reading the inventory. I love everything about the store, love the smell of new and old books, the atmosphere, and I love spending time with my dad.
“An hour sounds perfect. I have to run a few errands first, anyway, which may or may not have to do with presents and cake.” My mom smiles at me, then gets her purse from table and hugs Nikoli goodbye. “How about I go run my errands then pick you up at the store?” she says to my dad. “That way Anna won’t be late for her party.”
My stomach somersaults at the mention of the party, but my mom leaves me hardly any time to tumble back into stress mode. She waggles her fingers, waving goodbye, then motions for me to follow her.
I start to leave, but my dad snags my elbow and draws me back. “This is for later.” He hands me a rectangular box decorated with pink paper and silver bow.
“Thanks, Dad.” I circle my arms around him. “You’re the best.”
He hugs me back then we say goodbye, and I chase after my mother, the heels of my shoes scuffing against the hardwood floor.
“Why are we going this way?” I ask, because we usually use the back door.
“Because I have something for you that requires us going out the front door.” Right as she says it, I hear giggling from above me.
I tip my chin back and look up at the banister right as a rainstorm of silver and pink glitter showers down on me. A laugh bursts from my lips as I span my arms to the side and spin in a circle.
“It’s a birthday miracle,” Alexis and Zhara singsong from above as they continue throwing handfuls of glitter down on me.
I twirl around until they run out of glitter. Then I give my mom a ginormous hug. “Thank you.”
“You deserve to get what you want on your birthday.” She smiles as she smoothes her hand over my head. “Now, come on. Let’s get this fun-filled day started.
Beaming from ear to ear, I follow her toward the front
High school sweethearts and first loves, they got married not too long after they started college. They struggled to make ends meet, living in a tiny apartment that had practically no furniture and a neighbor that liked to sing show tunes during odd hours of the night. Add that to finals and part-time jobs, they were under a lot of stress.
Although most people spend their time in college figuring out what they want in life, my mom wanted to share the journey with my dad. And my dad . . . well, he remembers those days as “some of the best.”
Eventually, they both graduated and found steady jobs. Two years later, the first of the Baker clan was born. My brother, Loki, who’s off at college studying philosophy and dating girls who wear lots of black and, in my opinion, seem really sullen about life. Loki seems happy, though. Well, about as happy as any other philosophy major.
I dream of one day finding what my parents have. If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll end up having it with Ben.
“You about ready to go?” my mom asks me as she scoops up the car keys from the counter.
“Yes siree.” I munch on my toast while my parents exchange a look. “I’m starting to get really curious about where we’re going. And if I had known Dad was in on the secret, I would have wiggled it out of him before you got down here.
“All I’m going to say is that you’re going to love it.” My dad returns to the stove with his back turned to me.
“Are you going to be able to take the day off?” my mom asks my dad as she gets an energy drink from the fridge. “So you can go with us?”
“Yep. I told Maggie she’d have to hold down the fort on her own,” my dad replies as he screws the cap on a gallon of milk. “But I have to run in and help her open up first, so I’ll be about another hour.”
My dad owns a quaint bookstore in one of the quieter areas of the town. During the summers, I spend a lot of time there, helping out and reading the inventory. I love everything about the store, love the smell of new and old books, the atmosphere, and I love spending time with my dad.
“An hour sounds perfect. I have to run a few errands first, anyway, which may or may not have to do with presents and cake.” My mom smiles at me, then gets her purse from table and hugs Nikoli goodbye. “How about I go run my errands then pick you up at the store?” she says to my dad. “That way Anna won’t be late for her party.”
My stomach somersaults at the mention of the party, but my mom leaves me hardly any time to tumble back into stress mode. She waggles her fingers, waving goodbye, then motions for me to follow her.
I start to leave, but my dad snags my elbow and draws me back. “This is for later.” He hands me a rectangular box decorated with pink paper and silver bow.
“Thanks, Dad.” I circle my arms around him. “You’re the best.”
He hugs me back then we say goodbye, and I chase after my mother, the heels of my shoes scuffing against the hardwood floor.
“Why are we going this way?” I ask, because we usually use the back door.
“Because I have something for you that requires us going out the front door.” Right as she says it, I hear giggling from above me.
I tip my chin back and look up at the banister right as a rainstorm of silver and pink glitter showers down on me. A laugh bursts from my lips as I span my arms to the side and spin in a circle.
“It’s a birthday miracle,” Alexis and Zhara singsong from above as they continue throwing handfuls of glitter down on me.
I twirl around until they run out of glitter. Then I give my mom a ginormous hug. “Thank you.”
“You deserve to get what you want on your birthday.” She smiles as she smoothes her hand over my head. “Now, come on. Let’s get this fun-filled day started.
Beaming from ear to ear, I follow her toward the front
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