It was the day of Zac’s 13th birthday and Alex’s 12th. Zac was so excited that his friends were coming over to spend the night. Alex had invited Kara but she had been unable to attend.
Alex woke up right on time like usual on her birthday. She heard everyone downstairs. She went down and found everyone eating breakfast. Her mother smiled and handed her a plate with breakfast on it.
The day progressed and the doorbell ran every five minutes with a package for Zac. Alex answered the door just about every time. Isaac and Taylor watched her occasionally in between cleaning. They watched as her hopes would rise and then fall as the deliverer would say that the package was for Zac Hanson.
“I feel bad for her.” Ike said.
“Me too. No friends coming over tonight and just the gifts from the nine of us.”
Isaac’s eyes brightened. “Grab your coat.”
“Why?”
“Just c’mon.”
Taylor grabbed his and Isaac’s coats, and they got in the car.
“Where are we going, Ike?”
“I thoughts we’d send her flowers.”
“Oh, I see. So something would be delivered for her.”
“Package for Alexandra Hanson.”
“For me?”
“Are you Alexandra?”
“Yes.”
“Here.” She took the package and the flowers. She carefully opened the package.
“Who was it, Alex?” Diana asked.
“The delivery man.”
“What’d I get?”
“It’s for me.” She finally got the last of the balloon paper off to reveal a beautiful dark green notebook with her name on it in silver glitter pen. She then carefully opened the book there was a message.
Alexandra,
We know that you like to write… put it in here so you can always find them.
She ran inside the kitchen holding the book and flowers. She wrapped her arms around Taylor.
“Thank you big brother.” She kissed his cheek, then squeezed Isaac. “Thank you so much, Ikey.” She kissed his cheek.
“You’re welcome.” Diana smiled at her oldest boys.
Alex took a carnation out of the bouquet. She handed it to Zac. “Happy birthday.”
He took it, and gave her an odd look. Why did she give this to me? He wondered.
After dinner Alex went upstairs. Zac’s friends began arriving, and she saw her little sisters packing pajamas. “Where are you two going?”
“Grandma’s. So we aren’t in Zac and his friends way.”
“Oh.” Alex had been hoping to have a slumber party with her sisters. She realized that she should have asked earlier.
Later that night Isaac went up stairs to get on his night clothes, so he could get comfortable watching movies with Zac and his friends. He caught the girls room door open. He looked inside and saw the most pathetic sight he’d ever seen.
Alex was in her pajamas with a birthday hat on in her sleeping bag in front of the TV eating popcorn. She had teddy bears in blankets around her. He decided that this cause needed two big brothers. He went down the stairs and called Taylor.
Taylor’s head popped out of the room where Zac and his friends were. “Yeah, Ike?”
“Come up stairs with me please.”
“What’s going on?”
Isaac didn’t answer his just motioned for Taylor, once they were in front of the girls door, to look through the crack. Taylor did so, however he was confused. He looked through and saw the same thing Isaac did and his heart broke as well. There his little sister was all alone having a birthday party for herself.
“That’s pathetic, Ike.” He whispered.
“Why don’t we join her?” Isaac said in all seriousness.
“But we promised Zac…” Taylor hated breaking his word.
“How many friends does Zac have over?”
“Ten…”
“How many does Alex?”
“Okay, I think I can break my word just this once.” He smiled sadly. “I’ll go get our stuff out of the den.”
