Birthday Celebration at Home in Truckee
Birthday tonight, celebrated at home in Truckee, everyone crowded into the kitchen. Presents happened at the counter, standing up, cheese and crackers within reach and nobody bothering to move to the living room.
The big gift bag went first — Happy Birthday To You in every color, stuffed so full of red and yellow tissue it stood taller than the cutting board next to it. Then the small pink box with LOVE spelled out on the sides and a leather strap over the top like a little suitcase, card tucked under the handle. She took her time with that one.
Grandma watched the whole thing from over by the fridge, arms crossed, in her red sweater. The dachshund kept station at the corner of the counter the entire evening, head just clearing the edge, on the theory that a party means food eventually hits the floor.
The wood shavings from the pink box ended up everywhere.
