Birthday Money
This year Cory planned his own birthday tradition.
Cory waited behind the big tree shading the mailbox. Playing hooky from school, waiting to intercept the twins’ birthday cards.
Sure, their rich aunt always sent him money for his birthday, but celebrating the deposit of Cory’s birthday check from Aunt Lydia was never a full-on family event like when his little brothers opened their cards from her and announced some corny charity they’d decided to donate theirs to. Wearing their cute matching outfits, looking at each other with noble conspiratorial pride then back to their parents, sing-songing in tandem: HORSEY RIDES FOR THE HANDICAPPED or whatever they’d chosen to give their entire rich-aunt windfall to that year.
Cory always spent his birthday money on himself.
*****
He took out two hand-addressed envelopes, leaving bills and sales fliers in the cool metal box.
Down at the creek he laid on a big log with his arms hanging down, dipping the checks into the water. Dunking them just so the paper released the shapes of his brothers’ names from the paper. Aunt Lydia’s purple fountain pen ink unspooled and spread out in the water.
This year Cory would be the one announcing big plans. Happy birthday, baby brothers.
About the Creator
P. M. Starr
I love reading and writing for pleasure, comfort, and creating introvert sanctuaries.
Top-tier contender for all-time favorite book: Lizard Music by D. Manus Pinkwater
Early influences: Judy Blume, Ray Bradbury, (real) V. C. Andrews
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