The Thirteenth Night

 

When Nick arrived, dinner was ready, but there I was, still seated at the table, surrounded by my cookbooks.

“What are you doing?” he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

“Choosing what to cook for my birthday.”

“Whoa!” he exclaimed, his eyes wide with joyful surprise. “When will it be?”

“In seven months and a few days.”

“Isn’t it a little early?”

“Not at all! I’m enjoying the party right now! Take the dishes, please, while I clear the table.”

“What have you chosen for your party?”

“Ah, well, I’m planning a surprise party for myself, so I haven’t told myself, and therefore I can’t tell you!”

“You do realize you're being totally ridiculous, right?”

“Of course I know. As the great Fernando Pessoa wrote in one of his poems, all love letters are ridiculous—they wouldn’t be love letters if they weren’t. To celebrate birthdays is a love letter we write to ourselves—or others. Celebrating is essential!”

“I would love to share such understanding and enthusiasm with you.”

“I know. I can tell you’re not much of a fan of celebrations. How many times have I celebrated occasions all by myself?”

He looked at me with a warm, tender smile.

“What?” I asked, intrigued.

“You’re reminding me a little of Mary Poppins. Are we going to have dinner floating near the ceiling?”

“It would be lovely, but I doubt it. I haven’t quite achieved such level of proficiency yet!”

“By the way, I bought some African violets.”

I glanced at the ones on my kitchen windowsill and said, “Really?”

“I’ve never had plants before, but yours look so vibrant. I realized I was missing some color in my life. Let’s see if I remember to feed them.”

“You will, if they’re important to you.”

***

Later, as Nick was about to leave, I handed him a wrapped present.

“What’s this?”

“A gift. Open it!”

“A book? Le Petit Prince—is it any good?”

“Honestly, it's an utterly disgusting piece of rubbish!”

“You silly!” he laughed. “But why?”

“Well, I like to spend money just to annoy you.”

“C’mon!”

“I’m introducing you to a new friend. Listen carefully to what he has to say. He’s quite wise.”

“Have you read it before?”

“A few times, in two different languages.”

“Okay, I’ll trust you and will read it carefully.”

“Good boy!” I said, waving him off with a smile.