birthday boy

I kiss my sleeping son goodbye at 7:40, and wish him a happy birthday which he likely doesn't hear.

I go to Saks to continue training. It's a long day, ending with almost four hours in front of a computer terminal watching modules of how to handle a return, how to process a cash transaction, how to split a transaction between two forms of payment, how to issue a price adjustment, how to... about 50 more different scenarios. Watching is tedious; my eyes burn and my head aches. I leave at 5:30 with about two hours left of videos to watch and quizzes to take.

I am anxious to get home. The very crowded subway stops at the next station. We all hear the same message announced over the loud speaker. "This train will not be making any more stops due to a medical emergency at 86th Street." Everyone piles out; no one is smiling. I walk the 25 blocks home.  

Alexander has a final tomorrow, so his birthday has hardly been special. I ask him what he wants for dinner. "I have to study, so let's just order sushi."

I call Sashimi Express.  "Hi Andy. It's Lyn." He knows us by now.  "Listen, it's Alexander's 23rd birthday today. Can you make us up a combination plate for two of sushi, sashimi and some rolls for $30?"  He says of course, and does. I love Andy.

Alexander is happy.  

I'm happy because Alexander is.

And Andy doesn't disappoint.

Happy birthday baby.  I am one lucky mom.