“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LIZZIE, happy birthday to you.”
My parents and Caoimhe all huddled around me, smiling and singing birthday songs.
It made me feel happy.
I liked it.
Daddy was even smiling as he took pictures on his camera.
“Blow out your candles,” Mammy said, pointing to the pink birthday cake in front of me. “And make a wish, sweetheart.”
Leaning forward, I took a big breath and blew it out as hard as I could.
When the flames on the candles went out, they all cheered.
For me.
I smiled happily.
“Does she even know it’s her birthday?” Caoimhe asked then, and it made me cross. Of course I did. I had a birthday cake, didn’t I? She laughed before adding, “She probably doesn’t even know what age she’s turning.”
Planting my hands on my hips, I turned to my sister and glared. “Four.”
Caoimhe’s eyes widened in surprise. “What did you just say?”
“Four,” I repeated, still cross with her. “I’m not silly.” I pointed to the candles on my cake. “One, two, three, four.”
Now, Mammy and Daddy were looking at me with big, wide eyes.
“Did she just…”
“Yes, she definitely did.”
“Oh my God.”
“She can talk.”
“Never mind talking. She can count.”
“Say something else,” Caoimhe commanded, sounding excited. “Come on, Liz, tell us something else.”
I frowned at her. “Like what?”
“Oh my God!” Caoimhe squealed, jumping from foot to foot as she clapped her hands. “She actually answered me!”
I always answered her, but she just couldn’t hear me.
None of them could.
“Am I talking out loud?” I asked, confused. “You can hear me?”
All three of them nodded.
They looked so happy.
They were smiling at me.
“What’s my name?” my sister asked, still bouncing.
“Caoimhe Young.”
“Oh my God,” she cried out, clapping her hands again. “What’s your name?”
“Lizzie Young.”
My sister yelped excitedly before pointing at our parents. “And who are they?”
“Mammy and Daddy,” I replied, frowning when I saw they were both crying. “Are you sad?”
“No,” Daddy choked out, throwing his arms around me. “We’re happy.”
