The Magical Land of Birthdays No. 2: The Mystery of the Birthday Basher
Amirah Phone call Mama's voice carried through the open window all the way to the backyard where Amirah was watering a small patch of purple violets Amirah jumped up and dropped the watering can which tumbled onto its side and spilled water all over her bare feet Amirah didn't mind though Now that summer was here the weather was hot hot hot The cool water felt wonderful as it cascaded over her toes Amirah dried off her feet at the back door and walked inside Mama was holding out the phone Who is it Amirah asked But Mama just smiled mysteriously as she gave Amirah the phone Hello Amirah said into the phone Hey it's me her friend Paulina replied Paulina What's going on Amirah exclaimed She wandered into the next room and flopped onto the love seat That's uh that's actually what I called to ask you Paulina said Amirah tilted her head There was something odd in Paulina's voice She usually sounded so cheerful her sunny laugh was one of Amirah's favorite things about her But today there was no sunshine in Paulina's voice Just sadness Oh you know not much Amirah said I planted some violets in the backyard I want to make candied violets It's not that hard but you need super extra fresh flowers and then you dip them in a Amirah's voice trailed off when she realized that she was the only one doing any talking She took a breath Hey she said trying to start over What's wrong
There was a long silence Amirah started to fidget not sure what she should say next At last Paulina spoke I was just wondering why you didn’t come to my birthday party she said the words tumbling out in a rush I thought I really thought you’d be there Amirah sat up straight her heart pounding You had a birthday party she asked Of course Amirah knew that it was about time for Paulina’s birthday she kept a list of the birthdays of everybody she’d ever met but this was the first she was hearing about a birthday party It was yesterday Paulina said in a small voice I mailed the invitations a month ago A month ago Amirah repeated racking her brain as she tried to remember if she’d received an invitation to Paulina’s birthday party No She hadn’t That was something Amirah would never forget But I I never got one You didn’t Paulina said in surprise I know I sent one Yours was the first one I made You’re the birthday princess of Chihuahua after all Amirah tried to smile but her mouth couldn’t quite manage it I’m so sorry Paulina she said I would never have missed your birthday party if I’d known about it The invitation must’ve gotten lost in the mail Paulina mused You know looking back it did seem a little weird that you didn’t RSVP But I figured you’d just show up anyway I always RSVP for a birthday party Amirah said firmly Don’t I know it Paulina said with a laugh Now that she knew Amirah hadn’t skipped her party on purpose the sunshine had returned to Paulina’s voice But Amirah was feeling worse and worse about what had happened I’m so so sorry she told Paulina I promise I’ll find a way to make it up to you
Don’t worry about it Paulina said These things happen Besides I’ll have another party next year and I know you’ll be there You can count on it Amirah promised After Amirah hung up the phone Mama came into the living room She could tell right away that something was bothering Amirah What’s going on she asked Oh Mama Amirah said Paulina had a birthday party yesterday and I didn’t show up because I never got the invitation and I know it’s not my fault but I feel terrible about it Mama wrapped her arm around Amirah’s shoulders You didn’t get the invitation she asked That’s so odd The same thing happened to your brother last month Amirah’s shoulders straightened Really she asked Amir was invited to a birthday party but his invitation never came Mama nodded Yes it happened during the week you were at camp she explained He was really disappointed to miss his friend’s birthday party too It’s not just missing the party Amirah tried to explain It’s I feel like I let Paulina down Birthdays are really important They deserve to be celebrated by everybody especially your closest friends But I didn’t even show up for her party Like I didn’t even care Just saying the words out loud made Amirah feel even worse But you do care Mama reminded her I’m sure Paulina knows that You know Amir made a birthday card for his friend and we made a special delivery Oh I’m already on it Amirah assured Mama She may not have known exactly what to say to Paulina on the phone but Amirah had plenty of ideas for how to make it up to her
Why am I not surprised Mama asked with that special smile she saved just for Amirah She kissed Amirah on the forehead and added Just let me know how I can help I will Amirah replied Thanks Mama Amirah practically skipped over to her desk in the corner where she kept all her favorite art supplies a thick sketchbook colored pencils in every color and of course a rainbow hued assortment of sparkly glitter Before she got started Amirah reached into her pocket for the vial of sprinkles she carried everywhere Amirah was a firm believer in the power of sprinkles to make everything better from a cupcake to a disappointing day And she knew better than anyone exactly how powerful sprinkles could be Just six months ago Amirah had embarked on the adventure of a lifetime when she found herself transported to a wondrous world called the Magical Land of Birthdays There she had explored enchanted places solved mysterious puzzles and even befriended a unicorn Best of all Amirah had met her very own B-Buds birthday buddies who all shared the same birthday Ever since that magical adventure Amirah knew deep in her heart that birthdays were more special and more important than ever Just as surely as she knew that someday somehow she’d see her B-Buds again It was hard to imagine waiting until their next shared birthday on January 8 but at least the wait was almost half over That’s why Amirah would’ve never skipped Paulina’s party never And that’s also why she was so determined to make things right Deep in thought Amirah picked up a pink pencil and started to sketch Paulina’s favorite color was pink just like Amirah’s and her doll collection was practically a legend in their town If only I could bake a cake that looked like a doll Amirah thought
