CHAPTER 26

It was Mr. Callavan's birthday in 2 days. Allan wanted to do something special for him. He secretly called Gillian and I downstairs to plan a surprise party for him.

"I'll be at work, but I get off at 3 pm. I'll go pick Vicky and Charlie up then come here around 4:30.", Allan explained.

"Because I love Mr. Callavan very much, I'll buy the cake for him.", said Gillian with jolly.

"Oh, that would be lovely. Vicky will bring cupcakes for the guests. Our family really likes tea, so you guys can make that, right?",

"Yeah. How many people will be here?",

"Around 15.",

"Alright. We'll do that.".

Again, I let the grownups talk. 

In the morning of the birthday, Gillian came so early. She had a huge box of cake, obviously pricey. She had outdone herself in that area and wanted to somehow prove a point to all the guests. We arranged the living room and deck to make it more spacious for the invited. 

Because of Alzheimer's, Mr. Callavan had no idea that it was his birthday. He just thought we were doing our usual tasks. At exactly4 pm, guests started arriving, but stayed downstairs. When Allan and his family arrived, everyone was already there. Gillian quickly went to Vicky and hugged her. 

"Congratulations on the pregnancy.", she said like a friend.

"Aw, thank you so much, Gillian.",

Poor Vicky, thinking she was speaking to a human being. As strange as life is, Vicky had still not completely moved on from what had happened between us. When she spotted me in the room, she pulled Allan closer.

"Maybe it's the pregnancy, but I don't think it's a good idea for Jenara and I to be in the same room.", Vicky whispered to her husband.

Gillian overheard it;

"Oh, I can ask her to leave if you want.", she offered to help with that.

"That'll be wonderful.". Vicky beamed.

Gillian walked to where I was standing, the tea table. I had already seen the scene from afar. I just didn't know what they talked about.

"Hey, do you mind going upstairs to your room until the party's over?", Gillian said, "Vicky thinks it's a bad idea for you to be here.". 

I didn't mind.

"I can leave the house for a few hours. I think that will be better.", I said.

"No, just stay upstairs. I might need your assistance later.".

Well, you can't refuse and cause a scene. I took off the apron and went back upstairs. On my way up, I walked past Allan, and his eyes were apologetic. He pitied me. I hate when people pity me, but what can one do? Uncry?

From my room, I heard the guest singing happy birthday to my dear Mr. Callavan. I could hear his laugh, and I was glad he was happy. When he cut the cake, he first fed his son and his grandson. The issue came when he called me next. The guest kept looking around, wondering who Jenara was. I know it was dramatic. To avoid making it a huge deal, I snuck outside the condo using the door upstairs and went to chill in the lobby.

I don't know what happened, but it's better that way, don't you think?

***