Her Vengeance

Happy Birthday To Me

Haydee entered her foster family’s house on shaky legs. She was quickly ushered into the family room by her three, excited foster siblings and Sarah. Sarah’s three children “whooped” and hollered “Happy Birthday” while Monte danced at their feet.

“Girls. Samson,” Sarah called to her children, “let’s give Haydee some space. She just got here,” she continued as she gave Haydee a hug. “Happy Birthday, sweetie,” Sarah crooned.

“Thank you,” Haydee reciprocated the hug before sitting on the couch. Lily and Rose - 17 and 15 years old respectively – began chatting immediately. They caught her up on the family happenings…even though she had just seen her foster family a week ago. She tried to pay attention to the two teens, but her mind kept wandering. It was like…she didn’t know how to explain it. Her world felt fuzzy. She couldn’t stay…present. She didn’t even realize she was gripping the two half moon necklaces around her neck until Sarah got her attention. “Haydee?” Sarah called, startling Haydee out of whatever haze she’d been in.

“Yes?” Haydee responded as she slowly began inspecting her surroundings. She was in the Jamison’s family room – that much she knew.

“Haydee?”

“Hmm?” Haydee looked at Sarah who was staring at her in concern, as were Lily and Rose. Even Monte had stopped tussling with Samson. He now had his big head on her lap. “Sorry,” Haydee apologized.

“Are you okay?” Sarah asked worriedly.

“Yeah,” Haydee quickly released her iron grip on her necklaces. “Sorry, I’m just really tired. I didn’t sleep well last night. I need coffee,” Haydee joked. She hated coffee.

Lily and Rose seemed to accept that explanation and continued talking about their upcoming school year. Five-year-old Samson had no idea what was wrong; he was more upset that Monte no longer wanted to play with him. Haydee gave Monte two calming pats on the head, letting him know it was okay to play with Samson.

“Woah,” Lily watched in awe as Monte immediately returned to Samson. “What did you do?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” Haydee furrowed her brows.

“You pat him on the head twice, and he went back to Samson.”

“Okay?” Haydee shrugged, not completely understanding.

“It’s like you guys are connected mentally.”

“Please tell me you’re not just noticing,” Rose said with an eye roll. “Haydee and Monte have had that weird telepathy thing since, like, forever.”

“What are you two talking about?” Haydee looked at the two girls.

“Seriously?” Rose replied. “You never give Monte orders. It’s like he always listens to you, and you don’t even have to say anything.”

“You have a mental link,” Lily added.

“What you’re saying is both impossible and preposterous,” Haydee laughed.

“Oh really?” Rose challenged with a raised brow. “When’s the last time you gave Monte a verbal command?”

“Uh…I…” Haydee was at a loss for words. She looked at Monte, who seemed to return her look. Had she ever given Monte a verbal command?

“See, like that!” Lily exclaimed, pointing at Monte – who resumed playing with Samson. “You guys just had a conversation in your mind.”

“No, we didn’t,” Haydee grabbed the nearest pillow and playfully hit her foster sister. “We just happened to look at each other simultaneously.”

“Well, Rose agrees with me,” Lily squealed as she blocked Haydee’s onslaught.

“I do agree,” Rose chimed in.

“You guys have been reading too many fantasy books,” Haydee surmised, hugging the pillow to her chest.

“I didn’t read a single book this entire summer,” Lily stated proudly.

“Excuse me, young lady?”

Lily froze at the sound of her mother’s voice. “Ha ha,” Rose laughed in her sister’s face before scurrying away.

“I believe your father and I politely demanded that you read The Importance of Being Earnest this summer,” Sarah pinned Lily with the universal mom glare.

“I didn’t have time,” Lily complained. “I had archery camp.”

“Archery camp lasted for two weeks and ended mid-July.”

“But-“

“No buts,” Sarah interrupted. “I believe the deal was an 11:00 curfew in exchange for a report on The Importance of Being Earnest.”

“Well, can’t we-“

“No,” Sarah silenced her daughter again. “If you want your 9:00 p.m. curfew extended, then you know what you need to do.”

“But September is like, two days away,” Lily pouted.

“It’s two weeks away,” Sarah corrected her.

“I’ll never finish on time.”

“Then I guess you had better get started.”

“This is so unfair,” Lily whined as she all but stormed from the family room. Sarah only shook her head as Lily passed her, mumbling under her breath. “Samson,” Sarah spoke to her youngest who was in his own little world with Monte, “why don’t you and Monte go downstairs?”

“Okay,” Samson shrugged. All of his toys were in the basement anyway. “C’mon, Monte,” he said in his little voice.

Once Sarah heard the basement door close, she joined Haydee on the couch. “I wish Lily had your love of books,” Sarah sighed. “Any plans for your birthday?” Sarah asked gleefully.

“I already went to Cynaswirls,” Haydee smiled.

“Oh no,” Sarah frowned. “We wanted to take you.”

“Oh, we can still go,” Haydee replied eagerly. She would never turn down a chance to go to Cynaswirls.

“Okay,” Sarah smiled in amusement. “Anything else?”

“No,” Haydee shrugged. She was never one to celebrate her birthday. She didn’t understand why.

“Oh. Well, how was therapy?” Sarah asked.

“It was fine,” Haydee shrugged. “Nothing exciting. We talked about the normal things – Monte, family, work, Aiden.”

“Aiden?”

“What?” Haydee feigned ignorance.

“You said ‘Aiden’,” Sarah replied with a knowing smile.

“Did I?” Haydee chuckled nervously.

“You did,” Sarah nodded. “Do you usually talk about Aiden?”

“No,” Haydee began fidgeting with her necklaces. “Not all of the time.”

“So, do all of my children come up in therapy or is it just Aiden?” Sarah continued, smiling cheesily.

“I…pfft…I don’t know,” Haydee sputtered. “I don’t usually – I mean therapy is about me. We talk about me and only me.”

“You said you talk about Aiden,” Sarah gave her a mischievous look.

“You know what?” Haydee stood to her feet and began walking away. “I think I hear Samson calling me.”

“The basement is soundproof!” Sarah called after Haydee with a laugh.

“I’m coming, Samson!” Haydee shouted as she dramatically threw the basement door open. Sarah only chuckled before returning to the kitchen. Man, she loved that girl.

They didn’t sit down to dinner until Cliff, Sarah’s husband, returned home from work. Haydee looked at each of the members of her foster family, giving them a small smile. She enjoyed watching the way they interacted with each other. However, there was a hole in her chest. Something was missing, and she didn’t know what.

“…Haydee?”

Haydee looked up at the sound of her name. Everyone was looking at her. “I’m sorry?” Haydee asked.

“I said, any cute guys in your life?” Lily asked.

“Oh, no,” Haydee said emphatically as her entire visage changed. “No, no, no,” Haydee continued. “No. I’m good. I like my life.”

“Don’t you think it’s time you found your person?” Lily, ever the romantic, asked while blinking her large light-brown eyes.

“Uh…no,” Haydee answered. “Where is this coming from?”

“Well, Rose and I were talking-“

“Don’t bring me into this,” Rose interrupted her sister.

“Anyway,” Lily continued, “my friend’s older sister joined a dating website and found a guy within a week. Maybe you should join one.”

“I don’t want to join one,” Haydee frowned.

“Well, why not? Isn’t it lonely living by yourself?”

“I have Monte.”

“Monte is a dog.”

“He’s still my very special boy,” Haydee cooed as she gave Monte a good scratch behind his ears.

“You need human interaction,” Lily frowned.

“Lily makes an excellent point,” Rose, the closet romantic, chimed in.

“I interact with you guys,” Haydee replied.

“We’re your family; it doesn’t count.”

“Girls,” Cliff cleared his throat, “how about we leave Haydee alone?”

“Yes,” Sarah added, “if she doesn’t want to date, she doesn’t have to date. Contrary to popular belief, Lily, it is okay to be single,” she gave her older daughter a poignant look. Lily looked simply aghast.

“I could never be single at your age,” Lily said to Haydee.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Haydee asked, feeling a little put-out. “How old do you think I am?”

“Have you ever kissed a guy?” Lily asked.

“Have you kissed a guy?” Cliff looked at his older daughter with a raised brow.

“Um…” Lily blanched.

“You kiss me!” Samson exclaimed, looking at Haydee. “You kiss me on the cheek all the time!”

“That’s not what she means, Oops,” Rose smiled at her little brother.

“My name is Samson,” Samson growled as menacingly as a 5-year-old could growl.

“Oops is cuter,” Rose replied.

“Mommy,” Samson moaned.

“Rose,” Sarah said in a chastising tone.

“I’m sorry,” Haydee smiled, “what is Oops?”

“It’s because Samson was an oops baby,” Lily chuckled. Cliff gagged and choked on the water he had just begun to drink.

“What’s an oops baby?” Samson asked.

“It means you were an acci-“

“Lily, why don’t you tell your father about the novel you forgot to read?” Sarah spoke over her oldest daughter.

Haydee smiled as Lily began sputtering her way through reasons why she hadn’t read a book the entire summer as Rose laughed at her uncomfortableness. Haydee watched the interaction with glee before turning to Samson, who was tugging on her shirt. “What’s up, buddy?” Haydee asked the little boy.

“If you want to kiss someone, I can let you keep kissing my cheek,” he said in all-seriousness.

“Oh,” Haydee beamed, “thanks buddy.”

“I told mommy yesterday that I would marry you if you wanted. I didn’t want to marry you at first but then Rose said that you’re our sister but not really so that’s why I can marry you.”

“Oh. Well, I am flattered,” Haydee couldn’t help the smile.

“So do you want to marry me?” Samson asked eagerly.

“Can I give you my answer later?” Haydee asked the serious 5-year-old.

“Okay,” Samson shrugged.

“Thank you.” Haydee then looked over Samson’s head as Monte suddenly ran to the front door. “Monte?” she called. Worriedly, she stood to her feet along with her foster family. The sighs of relief immediately became exclamations of joy as a familiar face opened the door and entered the house.

“Aiden!!!!” was the collective shout as Lily, Rose, and Samson ran to greet their oldest brother. Cliff, too, rose to greet his son.

“Hey, guys!” Aiden grinned brightly as he accepted hugs from his siblings.

Haydee sat back down, a small smile on her place. She looked up and nearly had a heart attack when she saw Sarah watching her intently. “Why are you smiling at me like that?” Haydee asked, fidgeting with the jewelry around her neck.

“Like what?” Sarah lifted a glass to her mouth, hiding her mischievous grin. Haydee rolled her eyes playfully before returning to her dinner.

“Happy Birthday, Haydee,” a deep voice said from behind her. Haydee’s heart beat quickened as she slowly turned in her chair. A pair of bright, kind blue eyes gazed at her. Haydee opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. Thankfully, Aiden didn’t notice. He took a seat at the dinner table next to Haydee. “How are you doing?” he looked at her kindly.

“Aiden,” Haydee squeaked once she found her voice. “You’re back – I mean – hi!” she opened her arms to him, giving him a hug. Wrapping her arms around him, Haydee couldn’t stop herself from inhaling his scent. He smelled so good.

“Surprised you, huh?” Aiden laughed as they pulled away from each other.

“You surprised me,” Samson answered, jumping into his older brother’s lap. “You were gone a long time. I was the only boy here.”

“Hey,” Cliff feigned offense. “I was here, too.”

“Did you get me anything?” Samson asked, completely ignoring his dad.

“I did,” Aiden answered, “but today’s Haydee’s birthday. Can I give you your gift tomorrow?”

“Fine,” Samson huffed dramatically before hopping off of his older brother’s lap, returning to his seat on the other side of the table.

Haydee watched curiously as the rest of the family seemed to scoot away, giving her and Aiden space. What in the world… Was her family trying to play matchmaker? Even Monte seemed privy to her foster family’s actions as he, too, was giving her and Aiden a wide berth. “Come on,” Aiden nudged her, seemingly unaware of his family’s behavior. “Catch me up on everything. What’s new with you?”

“Um...okay,” Haydee answered, trying to slow her beating heart. That shouldn’t be a problem. She could do this. It would be no problem at all.