Emily's birthday

Emily's heart was brimming with excitement as she rushed down the stairs in her pajamas. Her curls bounced with each step as she made her way to the sitting room to meet her dad. It was her birthday. A day she had been waiting for a long time.

Unfortunately for her, it was about to turn sour. Her dad was about to leave for work without caring about her birthday. She halted beside him, her eyes twinkling with anticipation.

“Daddy, you are going out. Aren't you going to celebrate my birthday with me?” She asked, clasping her hands together, but her dad barely looked up from his phone.

Looking at his facial expression, it was as if he was irritated rather than happy that it was his daughter's birthday.

“Emily, I’ve warned you several times to stop calling me Daddy. You should call me Uncle.”

"But you are my dad. Why should I be calling you uncle?" Emily asked.

"Because I want you to be calling me that. I don't want to hear daddy from you again! Do I make myself clear?" He stated, and she tremblingly nodded.

“Okay, but how are we celebrating my birthday? Mommy is decorating my room. You can come and see it.” The little girl said, and he adjusted his watch nonchalantly, then looked at her with a gaze that lacked love and care. “Emily, I have things to do that are more important than your birthday. I need to leave, so don’t disturb me this morning.”

The little girl blinked and gripped the edge of the couch with her small fingers. “Mummy said today is my special day. That the two of you will take me out to have some fun. Maybe the amusement park? Or the zoo? I will love to visit the beach as well.” Her voice was filled with innocent hope.

Albert buttoned his suit jacket and replied. “No, Emily. I don’t have time for childish outings. I have better things to do. You will celebrate here at home with your mom. That will be enough.”

Still, Emily persisted and stepped closer. “But we are family! Mommy said we could do something special this time! You won’t even have to plan anything. Mom has arranged everything.”

"Then let her continue with her plan. My presence doesn't matter. I need to go to work." The dad said, and Emily’s bottom lip trembled, but she straightened her shoulders, refusing to let her dad's words weigh her down. “Then I will wait until you come back. I don't want to celebrate with Mummy alone.”

Albert sighed in exasperation and gazed toward the clock on the wall. And without another word, he grabbed his car key and turned toward the door to leave.

Just as he reached for the door handle, Jennifer's words were heard from the back. “Albert, this is not fair. Today is your only daughter's birthday. We are supposed to take her out and celebrate her birthday in a special way. She’s been looking forward to this for weeks.”

Albert ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head as if the conversation was an unnecessary delay. “Jennifer, I don’t have time for this. You too should stop disturbing me. I have more important things to do.”

“More important than your daughter's birthday? Can you hear yourself?" She asked in disbelief. "I took the day off from my business because of her birthday, Albert. You should do the same.”

“You took a day off from your business because it isn't worth anything. A pastry shop that doesn't pay our bills. My company is more important than your worthless shop. Let her celebrate at home with you. That’s more than enough.”

"She’s your daughter. She deserves more than just enough. You are rich now. You have enough money now, not like other years when you had nothing. You can afford a big celebration.” Jennifer said, and Albert scoffed and took a couple of steps towards her. “Yes, I have money now, but my money isn’t meant to be wasted on unnecessary things."

Jennifer took a slow breath, trying to calm the fire building in her chest. "Celebrating your daughter's birthday is unnecessary? I can't believe you are saying this. This is unacceptable."

Emily had her hands clasped together tightly. She wanted to say something. She wanted to plead one last time, but the argument between her parents made her feel smaller, as though her wishes didn’t matter.

“You are here, right? Celebrate with her. I have work to do. I will come back by evening time." With that, he pulled the door and stepped out.

“Albert,” Jennifer called after him, but he didn’t stop. He didn’t turn back. And just like that, the door shut behind him, causing Emily to shiver.

Jennifer turned to her daughter with a soft expression. She crouched down and took Emily’s hands. “Sweetheart, don’t be sad. He’ll be back, and we will celebrate together. Okay?”

"But he doesn't care about me." The little girl mumbled in sadness. "Daddy doesn't like me."

"No, don't say that. Your dad loves you. He will come back, and we will celebrate together. I assure you." Jennifer replied and smiled reassuringly, then pulled Emily into a warm embrace, and she melted into her mother’s arms.

“I will wait,” Emily murmured into her mother's shoulder, and she stroked her hair gently. “That’s my girl. We are going to have an amazing time together. We'll have a great time celebrating your birthday, just you and me. And maybe, just maybe, your dad will surprise you with a gift when he gets back."

Emily pulled back and smiled up at her mother. "Yeah, maybe,"

As they hugged again, Mrs. Jennifer couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration towards her husband.

Why couldn't he just make an effort to be there for their daughter's birthday? But she pushed the thought aside and focused on comforting Emily.

"Let's go and continue the decorations. I'm here with you. And I will always be with you." Mrs. Jennifer said, trying to distract Emily from her disappointment. And it worked. Emily's face lit up again, and she nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Let's go, Mommy!"

As they walked hand in hand towards Emily's room, Mrs. Jennifer couldn't help but wonder what the rest of the day would be like. Would Mr. Albert come home in a better mood? Would Emily's birthday be special despite her father's absence? Wait......was her father actually going to work?