Every star is on its wayI got my first (early) birthday present last night!
You're the only one that stayed
All the time you could have saved
All the time you gave away
You know the heart beneath the waves
The one that I was trying to save
The one that almost slipped away
Was mine
Loch preordered Thirteen Senses' new album for me. A Strange Encounter. They put out an album every three years and a bit and it's always far too long for me. I'm not huge on British pop like this generally but this band has had a heavy hand in the soundtrack of my life, at least since Henry was born, and seems to be the most delicious sort of music to have in ones ears if you are lying in the grass watching the clouds play chase or sitting in the dark, attempting to fix a broken heart with scant supplies. Loch introduced me to them. He walks around singing their stuff any moment he isn't singing a Pink Floyd song, mostly.
So they're totally magical to me.
(Or, Bridget tends to absorb the musical likes and dislikes of her boys, part 473628246246. Yes, we know this, get on with it.)
Caleb asked what I wanted for my birthday so I told him I wanted to lie on a beach for an entire day without interruption.
He clarified. In the sun?
Yes, I said. Maybe in Fiji.
And he shot it down because he said I would burn inside of four minutes and also their political state is a bit tenuous and I turned away because he asked but he was prepared to not like the answer before I even opened my mouth. I would still like you to have those earrings.
No thank you. Big expensive rocks secured with half-assed butterfly backs doesn't sound like fun to me.
Hoops would be better?
No, they just get caught in everyone's shirts and fingers.
A trip, then?
I'm not allowed to travel, remember?
With me, you are.
Of course.
Subversive Princess today, I see.
Every day, Caleb. Every day all day.
What can I do to make it a very happy birthday for you?
I turn and stare at him.
Except that.
Go away then please.
Bridget-
I'm busy.
Can I see you later this evening maybe?
Maybe.
He plants a kiss on top of my head and disappears.
Loch walks into the room from the other direction and asks me why I lead Caleb on. He's annoyed at what he saw, what he heard because I make no attempt to conceal anything, least of all my half-assed efforts to tick off things on my bucket list that will never ever be crossed off.
He's right, though, we're foundering a little here, Peanut. You haven't given us a list. We may all be three and a half decades in, in knowing you but you're still the pickiest little thing that ever lived.
Easily frustrated by things that don't do what I want them to. Not picky.
Well that explains why there are so many of us, you're collecting parts to make the perfect guy.
Shhhhh. You really weren't supposed to figure this out. I'm afraid I've kept you around far too long.
Bridget, knock it off. You're scaring me.
Sorry. What a neat idea though!
Huh! Is it now? Maybe I should do the same! I know I won't be keeping your ears because they're busted and your mouth, because it runs, and certainly not your scrawny little arse because it's not big enough to grab and well, seems like there's not much here, come to think of it!
Oh my God! Take that all back!
I'm only teasing! Peanut, I wouldn't change a thing. Well, maybe I'd get that creepy millionaire who follows you around to disappear but I swear, that would be it.