The Birthday Adrian Missed Nine Times
Chapter 12 - The Birthday Adrian Missed Nine Times
The twins turned nine.
Adrian had missed eight birthdays before knowing they existed.
So he became absurdly nervous about the ninth.
Claire found him arranging cupcakes at six in the morning.
“You know children don’t care whether frosting is symmetrical.”
“I care.”
“That is the problem.”
Noah walked in.
“Why are you both whispering?”
Adrian immediately stood in front of the cupcakes.
“Nothing.”
Noah narrowed his eyes.
“You’re terrible at secrets.”
The party was simple.
Baseball.
Pizza.
A backyard projector.
No reporters.
No extravagant gifts.
When the boys opened Adrian’s present, they found two small photo albums.
The first pages were empty.
Noah frowned.
Adrian explained.
“I can’t fill the years I missed.”
He turned a page.
“But I thought we could fill the next ones.”
Eli hugged him first.
Noah followed.
Claire turned away before anyone saw her crying.
Later, after the boys slept, Adrian found her cleaning.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
“Liar.”
She smiled.
Then she said, “You’re good with them.”
Adrian looked toward the hallway.
“I’m learning.”
Claire’s voice softened.
“So am I.”
Their eyes met.
Neither moved.
Then Adrian kissed her.
It lasted only a second before Claire stepped back.
“Adrian.”
May you like
“I know.”
But neither of them looked sorry.
