Kara was in the kitchen, chopping vegetables, humming. Jon walked in with his laptop. “What are we having?” “Stir fry,” Kara said. “Oh — and today’s my birthday.”
Jon stopped. Stared. “...What?”
Kara looked up. “My birthday. It’s today.” Jon set the laptop down. Slowly. “Today?” “Yeah,” Kara said, suddenly nervous. “I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
Jon’s jaw ticked. “Kara. It’s your birthday Today. And you’re telling me now? At 8am?”
“I’m sorry,” Kara said quickly. “It’s just... I don’t usually make a big deal. My mom always worked, my dad forgets. I got used to it being just another day.”
Jon ran a hand through his hair. He wasn’t yelling. But he was angry. The quiet kind.
“You should’ve told me weeks ago,” Jon said. “So I could’ve planned something. So you wouldn’t spend it in t
