The Wongs gave Mina her birthday gift, which included a gift card to the mall, in a Chinese takeout box. Nan’s gift was a new pair of cute black flats, which she promptly asked to borrow next week, after Mina had worn them. Charlie gave her a new stationery set and journal, which was a very thoughtful gift for a boy.
Mina was surprised when the restaurant door opened and Brody walked in. She’d thought he would wait to give her his present later that evening, and was totally unprepared for his arrival. Mina’s hand went to her sloppy ponytail in distress, then remembered she was still wearing her pajama bottoms and an ugly, over-large red sweatshirt.
But one look at her, and Brody was all smiles. He, naturally, looked as handsome as ever in a white button-up shirt, dark distressed jeans—probably his family’s own label—and black shoes. His blond hair touched the collar of his shirt in the back, and it looked like he hadn’t shaved in a few days. But the whole look was very pleasing to the eye. Mina immediately stepped behind Nan to hide her pajama shorts.
“Hey,” Mina called out, embarrassed.
“Hey, you.” Brody smiled at her awkwardness, and Mina immediately felt like an idiot. She knew that Brody didn’t care what she wore.
She stepped closer and whispered, “What are you doing here? I didn’t think you were coming until tonight.”
“Well, I heard a rumor that you were having a birthday party, and yet I didn’t get the invite. I thought I might come and crash it.” Brody looked past Mina to acknowledge Nan with a slight nod of his head.
Mina spun to look at her best friend. “Oh, I see. Let me clarify. I bet a little birdy tweeted you the exact time and location. What a smart little bird.”
Nan whistled and suddenly found one of the red and gold paper lanterns in the restaurant particularly interesting.
When Mina turned around, Brody pecked her on the cheek and handed her a beautifully wrapped present, its pristine white paper accented with a simple red velvet ribbon on top. Mina smiled coyly at Brody and pulled the ribbon to reveal a brand-new candy-apple red LG phone.
“What? Brody, we can’t afford this.” Mina panicked and looked at her mother in surprise. Cell phone plans alone tended to be expensive, especially for such a nice phone as this. “Brody, thank you, but I can’t accept it.” She handed the box back to Brody, who held up his hands and backed away.
“Can’t return it. Besides, it’s been added to our plan. With as many phones as we have, it wasn’t anything for our family to add one more.”
If he said it to make Mina feel less guilty, it only had the opposite effect. Mina looked toward her mother for help.
Sara stepped forward. “Brody, it’s a wonderful gift, but I don’t know if I feel comfortable with your family paying for a cell phone for my daughter. Maybe next year we can afford one, but not right now.”
“I understand, Sara. And I wouldn’t normally offer this kind of gift, but I felt you would understand the necessity of Mina being able to call us in case of an emergency. If she were ever in trouble or needed help, she would need a cell phone to call for help. For my own peace of mind, and so I can sleep at night, I hope you’ll let her keep the gift.” Sara was about to counter again, but Brody was too quick. “And next year, if you still want to take over the plan, we can arrange it.”
Sara seemed relieved and nodded her head in agreement.
Mina felt a hint of panic and turned to Brody, worry etched in her face. “But what if we should…or you decide that you no longer…” Mina couldn’t even speak it. What if they broke up? Would he take the phone away?
“It doesn’t matter—my offer still stands. Besides, I’ve already programmed my number, your mother’s, and the fire department. I think you’re covered.” He took the red phone out of the box and handed it to Mina.
The phone felt light and delicate, and Mina knew she was destined to drop it and break it into a thousand little pieces. How could she possibly not lose the device, unless it was stapled to her forehead?
“Well, you seem to have missed one very important number.” Nan stepped forward and took the phone from Mina. “What?” she exclaimed, scrolling through the contacts. “You programmed your number as two. Two! That definitely has to change. After the emergency department, the next number should definitely be her best friend.” Nan held the phone away from Brody as he tried to snatch it back from her. They began to argue over who should be number two on speed dial.
“Too late, mine’s already there. You’ll have to take four.” Brody chuckled.
“As if! You take four. You’ve only known Mina a few weeks. I’ve been her best friend for two years. See…two. I should be two,” Nan continued.
Mina looked at her mom and saw a slight grin. Maybe, just maybe, everything would turn out all right.
Brody left shortly after he challenged Nan to Rock, Paper, Scissors, and won, for the right to be number two on her speed dial. After winning, he conceded to give Nan and Jared a ride to the dance as well, as a consolation prize. Brody gave Mina a small peck on the lips, whispered “happy birthday,” and told her he would see her soon.