January

Gab turned eighteen in early January but didn’t have a party, nor did she tell anyone. Tony knew though. It was the morning of her birthday and she’d been making pancakes and bacon when he knocked on the door. She opened it up. He greeted her with a grin and handed her an envelope.

“Happy birthday, Gabby!”

“Thanks Tony,” Gab grinned.

“You’re an adult now. But then, you’ve always been one, haven’t you?”

Gab shrugged as she peeled open the envelope and pulled out a card with a highland cow on the front. Inside, Tony had written,

Dear Gabby,

Wishing you a very happy birthday. Here’s some money to go and get your L plates, and some extra cash for a couple of driving lessons.

Cheers, Tony.

“Oh wow, Tony! Thanks!”

It was Tony who had taught Gab how to drive really, out in the paddock in his old Commodore. Gab was fine at driving round the paddock, but she hadn’t gone out onto the roads yet. While the other kids her age had gotten their provisional licences one by one over the last twelve months, she hadn’t even gone for her learner’s permit.

“Once you get your L plates,” said Tony cheerfully, “you can be my chauffeur in the ute. You’ll need to clock up a whole bunch of hours, so maybe we can do some driving together.”

“Oh! That’d be awesome, Tony!” said Gab. She’d felt stuck when it came to getting her licence. As Gina didn’t have a car, nor the temperament for teaching in a calm and careful manner, Gab had pushed the whole operation aside. She hadn’t wanted to bother Tony about it and had other things to focus on. Besides, she was used to riding her bike everywhere.

“Hey Tony, want to come in and have pancakes?”

He was still standing on the doorstep.

“Oh, you sure, love? Okay, thanks!”

So, Tony came in and Gab boiled the kettle for tea. Tony popped his head into Gina’s sunroom on the way to the kitchen, as the eastern rays danced with morning freshness on the crusty wall of deities.

“Hey Gina,” he said. “Your little girl’s turning 18 today, hey?”

Gina was sitting cross-legged on her couch, reading the Bhagavad Gita. The smell of incense clashed with the spacious morning air that had come in when Tony entered the house.

“What’s age, Tony? It is but an illusion. Who knows how long our souls have truly been on this earth?”

Tony bristled. “C’mon Gina, it’s a big day for her. What did you get her for her birthday?”

Gina looked up at Tony.

“You know my financial situation, Tony,” she said, clenching her teeth. Then her eyebrows rose, her body slumped and her eyes implored. “I know what you’re thinking, okay? But you don’t know how hard it is!” Gina was ever the victim of fortune. “I am getting her take-away for dinner tonight, you know!” she whined. “That’s something, isn’t it? I couldn’t afford anything else!”

Tony was ready to explode as Gab called out, “Tea’s ready, Tony!” He didn’t want to ruin her morning, so he held his tongue. He would turn his utter indignation into a resolve to celebrate with Gab as heartily as he could.

Tony sat down at the table. There was a picture from Jack for his sister, and a card from Gina. Jack was hoeing into his pancakes with vigour.

“Woah, slow down there, mate,” said Tony. “You’re practically inhaling those things!”

Jack grinned at him.

“See the picture I made for Gab, Tony?” he said, pointing with his fork while his mouth was full of food.

“It’s great, mate,” said Tony. “I bet she loves it. Straight to the pool room for that one!” The picture was one of Gab and Jack riding bikes together, with I luv yuo, Gab painted across the top.

Gab put a cup of tea on the table in front of Tony with a plate of pancakes, bacon and maple syrup. She put the same down for herself as she had for Tony, and took a seat.

“Thanks, love. Looks fab. This a card from your mum?” He pointed at the card with sparkly kittens on the front. Gab nodded. “Mind if I take a look?” he asked. Gab shook her head. She didn’t mind. Her mouth was full of pancakes and bacon too, just like her brother’s.

Dear Gabrielle, my angel.

What would I do without you? You are my sunshine and my world. You are my everything.

Happy Birthday. I’m sorry I don’t have the money to buy you anything. Things have been so hard over the last year. I’ll make it up to you.

Love, Mum.

It made Tony sick, but he didn’t want to hurt Gab by causing trouble on her birthday, so he put it down quietly and began his breakfast. Things weren’t as hard as Gina made out, he thought to himself; or, if they were, she didn’t realise how hard she made things for her daughter.

Secretly, Gab felt let down that her mum hadn’t bothered to get her anything, though she’d promised to buy them take-away that night. All through the day she maintained a secret hope that Gina would spring something on her after all … but by the end of the day, the possibility faded along with the evening light. Still, Gab was used to making the best of situations, and she was at least happy that Mum had given her a nice card, bought them dinner and had surprised her with a block of chocolate for dessert. Mum loved her; that was what mattered.