[i]
Just after 6 a.m. Ana and I hear a dog whining just outside the bedroom window.
"Raow! Raow!"
It's persistent enough to keep me awake. I rustle myself out of the bed to peek out the window. I discover it's just an old lady walking her hound dog very slowly.
"It's just a hound dog," I explain to Ana as I hurry back into bed. "It ain't nothin' but a hound dog," I add. "Crying all the time."
☼ ○ ▬
Disturbing realities where I find out Anthony committed suicide. It seems so real in the dream. I experience the crude feelings of grief after finding the news out. Nobody understands why.
▬ ○ ☼
Waking up at 10:45 a.m. Ana describes a nightmare she had where her step dad shot a hole in her throat.
So many happy birthday posts on my Facebook timeline to read through.
Sharing Oatmeal together downstairs. I'm officially 31 years old today. Now I've really joined the 30 club – there's no doubt.
Working on piano stuff while Ana bakes a birthday cake from scratch.
Grilled PB&J. Fuji Apple. Honey Green Tea.
Teaching piano lessons at Music Makers. Olivia sings me happy birthday...
My dad and his wife, Patty, decided to come visit me for my birthday. Ana and I dress up and pick them up from the Hampton Inn. We check out this fairly new local restaurant called The Whiskey Kitchen off General Booth.
[ii]
Sharing Crispy Cauliflower Bites, Crispy Asparagus, and refreshing brews. For myself I order the Crab Cake Sandwich with Seasoned Fries. It's nice seeing my dad here. He really knows how to charm the ladies. I notice this when we're talking to our waitress throughout the evening. He likes to kid around and be friendly – it's in his nature. I love this characteristic of my father.
Back at the house Ana reveals the homemade Chocolate Cake she slaved away all day on. Will and Stacy are present for the traditional candle blowing. Ana also re-purposed an old "Happy Birthday" sign we used for Will's birthday last year and designed a new sign with my name using my favorite colors, purple and turquoise. There's a basket filled purple paper filler, two bottles of wine, a container of grapes, and a hand written letter...
The cake is hearty and delicious. After some chitchat Ana and I take dad and Patty back to their hotel room. We go up for a few hours. While Ana and Patty have girl talk on the back patio I have a man-to-man talk with my dad inside. We cover racism, health insurance, the confederate flag, cops, violence, and social security. Now that he's retired my dad seems content and happy with his life – he's got a desire to go on more trips and not be bothered with the stress of home life. He deserves it cause he's worked hard all his life.
Back home. Settling in next to Ana in my bed. Another birthday has gone by and I'm still alive literally and figuratively. I've got nothing to complain about.
Sleep 3:30 a.m.
[i] Image by Felix.
[ii] Images by me.
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