You Say It's Your Birthday

Her eyes were wide with curiosity. Her mouth tensely shut. Her head panned from one side of the dark room to the other as the candles flickered before her, bright like a campfire; the heat reflecting from her cherub cheeks and moist lips.

Her little body jumped when the group began to sing.
"Happy Birthday to you."

You could see the familiarity of the song flush the surprised expression from her face.
"Happy Birthday to you."

Having heard the tune with her name inserted only once her entire life, the soft smirk and sideway glances expressed a new level of appreciation for the ritualistic melody. The friends and family continued. A camera flashed.
"Happy Birthday to Ellie"

More transfixed on the booming words around her, no attention was given to the burning wax sticks just inches from her chin. The two year old sat motionless, simply absorbing the moment; unaware of the expectations soon coming.
"Happy Birthday to YOU!"

Suddenly, her older sister who had been sitting at her side during the entire serenade leapt forward and blew out all of the candles. Only a second in time transpired from when the last note was sung to when all the light was extinguished in the kitchen.

The heat of the moment consumed Emma while the pregnant pause, pimp-slapped her back into the reality of what she had done. In replace of the accustomed cheering and clapping, there was a deafening silence, broken only by the embarrassed outburst of tears from her eager sister.