Chapter Text
Joe only had one wish for his birthday this year: a black skateboard with a bulldog on it. He knew it was expensive and that his mother might not have the money for it because they had been alone ever since his father went to the pub and never came home again. When that happened, Joe heard his mother swear out loud over his father's actions for the first time in his life. It was there he promised himself never to do what his father had done to his mother.
"Joe," Sarah said. "It's time to get up."
"I can think of two things why it isn't time to get up, Mom," Joe muttered under the duvet. "One, it's summer break, and two, I'm tired."
"Well, if you look at it like that, then I just return your birthday gift," Sarah replied. "See you when you aren't tired any more."
Sarah had just left Joe's room when he came running.
"Not tired any more," Joe said as he took his mother's hand. "And I'm hungry."
"You're always hungry, Joe," Sarah replied with a smile. "Then it's good I baked buns this morning."
Joe hugged his mother, pouring all of his love he had for her in the hug. The hug made Sarah smile.
"Do you want two or three buns today?" Sarah asked when they sat at the table. "Or do you want the entire basket?"
Joe laughed.
"Hmm, tough question," Joe replied, making a funny face which made his mother laugh. "I think I start with two. Can I have Nutella on it? Please, Mom, it's my birthday."
Joe gave a big, charming smile.
"Of course," Sarah replied. "Since you asked so nicely."
Sarah helped Joe with making his breakfast before they ate it. While eating, Joe looked at the gift on the chair beside Sarah.
"Just so you know it," Joe said. "You make the best breakfast in the world."
"Thanks," Sarah replied. "I'll try to remember that the next time you want oatmeal for breakfast."
"I don't know why I thought it would taste good," Joe replied. "It's all mushy."
Sarah smiled.
"When you have eaten your breakfast," Sarah said. "You can open your birthday gift."
Joe ate as fast as he could, and Sarah handed him his birthday gift when the plate was empty. When Joe unwrapped his birthday gift, he couldn't believe his eyes. It was the black skateboard he had wished for, but then he remembered something.
"Mom," Joe said, not taking his eyes off the skateboard. "Not that I'm not happy about my birthday gift, but are you sure you got the money for it?"
Ever since Joe's father left them, things had changed. They had moved from a big house into a small flat, and Joe's mother worked many hours every day. Sarah took Joe's tiny face between her hands and caressed his cheeks with a smile.
"I have been meaning to tell you. I got promoted last week. Better hours and better salary," Sarah said. "So yes, I got the money for your birthday gift."
Joe hugged his mother, pouring all his happiness into it. He was so happy that his mother got the promotion she had talked about and his new skateboard.
"Thank you, Mom," Joe said. "For my birthday gift."
"Glad you liked it," Sarah replied. "Now, finish your breakfast so you can try out your new skateboard. Can't wait to see what tricks you can do on it."