Dad had remembered my favorite chocolate cake.
Mom arrived early.
Nobody mentioned Kai.
After dinner, Dad asked whether I had any plans for the coming year.
“Actually, I’m thinking about taking a trip.”
“Where?”
Nobody mentioned Kai.
I pulled out my phone.
Just then, a message appeared.
KAI: Happy birthday. I remembered.
I read it.
Then I turned the phone facedown.
Just then, a message appeared.
“Show us,” Dad said.
I opened a map and pointed to the route I’d been considering.
Mom leaned closer.
“How long would you go for?”
I opened a map and pointed to the route I’d been considering.
“About two weeks.”
Dad moved the cake plate aside to make room for my phone.
“Tell us where you’d start.”
So I did.
“Tell us where you’d start.”
