After all the guests had left, Taylor’s mom calls out to Taylor, “Taylor, come help with the clean-up.”

Taylor groans. “But it’s my birthday. Can’t I just relax?” Taylor asks as he collapses onto the couch.

“Hey, you’re 18 now. You’re not a kid anymore, and it's time that you do more to help around the house,” Taylor’s mom scolds. “You’ll have to get a job this summer if you’re not going to college. Seriously, whoever heard of taking a year off before college? This is real life kid; there are no breaks! If you’re not hustling your butt off you’ll only fall behind– Hey, what are you doing? I said to help me clean up!” Taylor’s mom demands while she leans down to pick up some plates from the living room table.

Taylor groans again, and stands up and bends over to pick up the plates on the coffee table before looking for more garbage.

Taylor’s mom sighs as she watches Taylor clean up. She walks over to her son and puts a hand on his shoulder. “Taylor, you’re a man now, but before that, remember; you’re you,” she says with a troubled face.

Taylor shrugs off his mom’s hand. “Okay mom. Stop it, you’re being weird,” Taylor says before moving to clean up the dirty paper plates on the kitchen table.

…

…

Once the trash was taken outside and he had swept the floors, Taylor went back to his room to lie down. He looks around his room. He had gotten a few presents today; a farming simulator game, a role-playing game called ‘Mountain Climber,’ and a screwdriver set. What he was going to use the screwdriver set for he didn’t know, but like his dad used to tell him ‘It is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.’ He also got some birthday cash, which would be useful for later that night.

After settling himself down, he looks over to the book he bought at the garage sale. He picks it up from his desk next to his bed and once again looks at the title. “Cultivation, eh?” He says with a hint of scorn, before opening it up.

Cultivation; it is the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the heat in our bodies. There is chi all around us, moving and shifting to shape the world. A cultivator is a servant of this chi. The chi guides the cultivator and provides for the cultivator, and in turn, the cultivator does his part for the chi. Cultivation is not about gaining strength, it is about progression and the shifting tides.

After reading the first paragraph, Taylor laughs with amusement. What kind of fairy tale is this? Taylor thinks with sarcasm before closing the book and putting it back on his desk.

He lies back down on his bed and pulls out his phone. He finds his friend on his contact list and gives him a call.

“Hey, Taylor. What’s up?” The voice says from the phone.

“Not much. We still heading out tonight?” Taylor asks with a hint of excitement. “It’s my birthday; I hope you have something special planned.” He continues with feigned expectations.

“Oh shit! Is it your birthday? Damn man, happy birthday. For tonight, yeah. Richie’s cousin invited him over for a few beers. He lives at an apartment near the school. No parents and a place to drink; not too bad, right?” Daryl’s voice resounds from the phone.

“Nice, nice. I got some birthday cash, so I’m willing to pitch.” Taylor says casually.

“Yeah, alright. I’ve got some cash too, but I think the other guys are broke. Tonight will probably be on us,” Daryl says with a light sigh.

“Whatever; as long as we get drunk,” Taylor responds, turning on his bed to lie on his side. “Is his cousin willing to pick up beer for us also?” He asks, hoping to not go through the struggle to find someone to buy beer for them. He’d also have to provide the courtesy tip, which was annoying.

“Yeah, he says he would. The liquor store is also near the apartment, so it shouldn’t take long,” Daryl responds, glad that there was something to do tonight.

“Alright, sounds good. I’ll call you in a bit; I’m going to take a shower and get dressed,” Taylor says as he moved to sit up.

“Dude, no need to tell me; I’m not your boyfriend,” Daryl says casually with a laugh. “Just call me later when you’re ready to meet up. Peace,” he says, ready to end the conversation.

“Peace, bro,” Taylor says before hanging up the phone.