Chapter 15 - THEO'S SECOND BASEBALL CAKE
For Theo's ninth birthday, he requested another baseball cake.
Maggie's stomach tightened when he said it.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“Different design?”
“No.”
“Maybe cupcakes?”
“Mom.”
She stopped.
Same cake.
Same candles.
Same party room?
No.
Theo wanted the backyard.
Smaller group.
Cody invited.
Drew too.
That last one surprised Maggie.
“You want Aunt Drew there?”
“She apologized.”
“You don't have to invite her because of that.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“She makes good buffalo dip.”
Children.
Maggie laughed.
The party was simple.
Cody arrived early.
He carried no expensive gift.
A baseball signed by Theo's favorite minor-league player.
He had stood in line for it himself.
When cake time came, everyone noticed Cody moved several feet away.
Theo laughed.
“Dude.”
“No chances.”
Drew looked embarrassed.
Then smiled.
Candles lit.
Theo leaned forward.
Blew them out.
Nothing broke.
Everyone cheered.
Cody clapped louder than anyone.
Maggie watched Drew.
Drew was crying.
Quietly.
Maggie moved beside her.
“You okay?”
“No.”
“Good party?”
“Yes.”
“Then why—”
Drew looked at Theo.
“I can't believe I made that other day about me.”
Maggie said nothing.
Drew continued:
“I was jealous of an eight-year-old.”
Maggie looked at her.
“Not Theo.”
“What?”
“You were jealous of what his birthday represented.”
“What?”
“A life you thought I had that you didn't.”
Drew nodded.
“Still pathetic.”
“Human.”
“Don't excuse me.”
“I didn't.”
Drew smiled faintly.
They had learned that distinction.
At the end of the party, Theo cut the first slice.
He handed it to Cody.
Cody stared.
“Why me?”
Theo shrugged.
“So you stay above the cake this year.”
Everyone laughed.
Even Drew.
Especially Drew.
Repair sometimes looked ridiculous.
That night Maggie realized she had not checked Drew's finances in months.
Not once.
No anxiety.
No urge.
May you like
Drew's accounts belonged to Drew.
That was freedom for both of them.
