Ruth barked and barked and Scarlet leaned over and hugged her. Scarlet’s face lit with excitement as she stood back up and broke into a huge smile, revealing perfect white teeth.
“That’s why you didn’t call today!” she said.
Caitlin hugged her, smiling over her shoulder.
“I wanted you to be surprised! Happy birthday, sweetheart. We love you!” Scarlet then hugged Caleb, and he hugged her back firmly.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart!” he said.
But as Caleb looked over Scarlet’s shoulder, at the person standing in the doorway, his expression hardened.
Caitlin looked and saw that in the front door, stood a boy, maybe Scarlet’s age, 16. Hands in his pockets, he wore a plaid shirt and jeans, with longish hair, and looked up warily at both of them.
Caitlin had never seen this boy, but was suddenly overwhelmed by the strangest feeling that they’d met. He seemed so familiar that it bothered her.
Scarlet must have noticed the sudden tension in the air, because she turned.
“Um…guys,” she said. “Like, sorry, I didn’t realize everyone would be here. This is my boyfriend. Blake.”
“Boyfriend?” Caleb asked warily, surprise rising in his voice.
Blake, Caitlin thought. How did she know that name? Somehow, she felt she did.
Blake looked cautiously back and forth between Caitlin and Caleb.
“Um…hi,” he finally said, shyly.
“Dad, be nice,” Scarlet cautioned.
Caleb held out a large, firm hand, and Blake reached out tentatively. Caleb shook his hand hard—just a little bit too hard, Caitlin could see.
“Any friend of my daughter is welcome in our home,” Caleb said, though Caitlin could see his jaw tighten. She also noticed he chose the word friend, not boyfriend.
“Hi Scarlet!” Sam yelled out, and came hurrying over and gave her a hug.
“Oh my god are you gorgeous or what!?” Polly screamed, as she hurried over and wrapped Scarlet in a big hug, picking her up. “Oh my God, look at that hair! And those earrings! And those shoes! Where did you get those? Oh my god, you look stunning! Stunning!” Polly said.
Scarlet smiled wide as she embraced Polly, who was like a second mom to her.
“Thanks, Polly. You look great, too.”
Caitlin gently herded them towards the dinner table, and as they all were getting closer, she hurried around behind Scarlet and placed her palms over her eyes.
“Don’t look!” Caitlin said, as she walked Scarlet across the dining room. As they neared the table, Caitlin pulled back her hands.
Scarlet’s eyes opened in surprise, and she broke into a huge smile.
“Oh my God, you got it for me!” she screamed, and turned and hugged Caitlin tightly.
Caitlin beamed with satisfaction. It was Scarlet’s favorite cake, a red velvet cheesecake she’d once had in Manhattan and never forgot. The bakery in the city was the only one that made it, and Caitlin had taken a special trip the day before, two hours each way, just to get it for her.
Scarlet turned to Blake, who was lingering back; she grabbed his hand and pulled him forward, right next to her.
“Oh my god you don’t understand!” she gushed to him. “This is the world’s best cake. You have to taste it!”
As she spoke, Caitlin could see the love emanating on her face towards Blake. And it was reciprocal. That made her very happy—and nervous at the same time. She knew how easily Scarlet fell in love, and didn’t want to see her get hurt.
Scarlet blew out all the candles, and as she did, everyone cheered.
“Thanks mom,” Scarlet said and hugged Caitlin again, “you really surprised me. I love you.”
“I love you too,” Caitlin said.
*
They all had a lovely meal together. Blake joined them, and the six of them sat around the table, eating course after course, laughing, talking about the amazing year in store for Scarlet. Polly brought a bubbly, vivacious energy to the table, and having her and Sam there made the house feel so much bigger to Caitlin, so much warmer. It felt like a real home.
Having Blake there, Caitlin realized, was a welcome addition, too. The six of them all fit comfortably together, as if they’d all known each other forever. The conversation never stopped, and neither did the laughter.
They all ate way too much, then sliced the cake, and ate even more. Then came the coffee, and tea, and more desserts—boxes of cookies which Polly and Sam had brought. Ruth sat at their heels, and they threw her scraps all night. Especially Scarlet, who Ruth adored more than anything. The love was reciprocal—most nights Ruth slept in Scarlet’s room, and if anyone came anywhere near it, she growled.
Polly, so excited, couldn’t wait to give Scarlet her presents, so she, characteristically, gave her the gifts right there, at the table, and begged her to open them on the spot. Caitlin didn’t know who was more excited—Scarlet or Polly. As always, Polly was way too generous. Scarlet opened gift after gift.
Scarlet, so appreciative, got up and hugged her, and Sam.
After the conversation died down and they all began to get up from the table, Caitlin finally found her opportunity. She was dying to give Scarlet her gift, a very important gift, which she’d been waiting until her sixteenth birthday to give. As the others began to filter out the room, she went to pull Scarlet aside—but was surprised to see her reach for her coat.
“Scarlet?” Caitlin asked, surprised. “Are you going out?” Scarlet paused in the doorway, with Blake, and looked back, hesitant, looking a bit guilty.
“Sorry mom,” she said. “I didn’t realized you expected me to stay. I was going to catch a movie with Blake. For my birthday, you know?”
Caleb looked over, concerned.
“Um…if that’s okay?” Scarlet added.
Caleb looked down at his watch, looking unhappy.
“Well, it is a school night,” he said.
But Caitlin reached out and placed a hand on his wrist. She smiled.
“Of course it’s okay, honey. It’s your birthday. I’m glad you guys are going,” she said, meaning it. Caitlin felt a little sad for herself, because she wanted to hang out with Scarlet, to talk to her more on her birthday—but she was genuinely happy for her that she had Blake.
Scarlet broke into a smile, looking relieved.
“But before you go, can I just have a minute?” Caitlin asked. “There’s something I want to give you. It’s your birthday, after all.”