Where's Minnie's birthday?
Minnie wakes with a start.
She's been having a wonderful dream.
Or was it real?
She remembers balloons,
Huge pink and purple ones floating from the ceiling.
Presents,
Beautifully wrapped in shiny paper with curling ribbons.
The table was covered in party food,
Fairy bread,
Chips,
Chisels,
Little pies and sausage rolls,
Drinks and bowls of lollies.
But now it's gone.
Minnie sits up and looks around.
There's no sign of her birthday.
She checks under the bed,
Behind the drawers,
Inside the wardrobe.
Nothing.
Most of the party was in the family room.
She hurries there.
No balloons.
No wrapping paper.
No presents.
The rug's been vacuumed.
The toys are stacked in the basket.
The table is bare.
Not even a crumb.
Minnie frowns.
Her birthday was here yesterday.
She remembers it so clearly.
Maybe it's moved to the lounge room.
Quieter than a mouse.
Minnie tiptoes up to the door.
She softly opens it and leaps in.
Disappointment.
Just the usual couch,
The coffee table and the quiet TV.
A small tear trickles down her cheek.
Where could it have gone?
She'll have to ask Mummy.
Minnie creeps into her parents' room.
They're still asleep.
She stands close to Mummy's face,
Staring.
Mummy's eyes open.
Oh,
Hello Possum,
She whispers.
What's the matter?
Minnie's lip wobbles.
It's gone,
She says.
My birthday.
It's all gone.
Mummy smiles and pulls her clothes.
Well,
Yes,
Min,
The party's over.
We packed everything up last night.
Minnie frowns.
But it was so lovely.
I thought maybe it would still be there.
Just a little bit.
Mummy kisses the top of her head.
The decorations and cake might be gone,
She says.
But your birthday happened.
It's tucked safely into your memories.
And you still have some presents.
Minnie is quiet.
But I miss it.
I know,
Darling,
Says Mummy.
That's the funny thing about lovely days.
They never stay forever.
But they do leave little bits behind.
Minnie lifts her head.
Like what?
Well,
Says Mummy,
Like leftover cake in the fridge.
And your presents in your room.
And photos.
And that feeling,
That special birthday feeling,
It stays inside you.
Minnie thinks.
That's true.
Her tummy still feels full of fairy bread and chips.
And her favourite new book is right there on her bedside table.
She smiles.
I might go check the fridge,
She says.
Good idea,
Mummy smiles.
I think there's a slice of cake with your name on it.
Minnie heads down the hallway again.
No balloons.
No streamers.
No noise.
But now it doesn't feel quite so empty.
The party might be packed away.
But the magic hasn't gone anywhere.
