It’s Egg Day and as a consequence of being the last to bed last night…I’m the last one awake.
It’s also Claudia’s birthday. She’s not in the room when I finally wake up. I’m guessing she’s in the bathroom getting ready. I walk into the kitchen expecting to see Mama Nadine, but she isn’t there yet. Michael, Raul and Darwin are in the front room watching TV. I walk over to join them.
Mama Nadine emerges from her bedroom fully dressed and ready to start the day. She goes to the refrigerator and begins to pull out ingredients for Claudia’s birthday cake. It’s become a tradition for her to prepare our birthday cakes first thing.
Claudia comes out of the bathroom and sits down at one of the stools a few moments later. Only, she’s not looking very happy. I can’t imagine why. I’d be thrilled if I were about to age up to an adult today.
Mama Nadine: Happy birthday honey. *notices Claudia’s mood* Are you okay?
Claudia: *nods over to us* Do they know?
Mama Nadine: Know what sweetheart?
Claudia: That they’ll get kicked out when they age up too?
Mama Nadine sighs and continues putting ingredients into the cake mix.
Mama Nadine: *begins stirring the mix* I’m not kicking you out. It’s just…it won’t be long until they send another child to live here.
Claudia: Yeah…my social worker already told me.
Now that the bathrooms are free, Michael and I get up to shower and dress. I linger by the bedroom door for just a moment to hear what Mama Nadine says next.
Mama Nadine: It sucks…I know. But you’ll always have a home here and you can always come and see us.
Claudia: I know…but where do I go?
Mama Nadine: You’ve saved up…you’ve prepared for this from working all those hours. You can stay here as long as you need to while you find a place…your own apartment maybe. I’ll help you and I know your social worker has prepared some resources as well. We have your back…you know that.
Claudia: I know Mama Nadine, but I’m still scared.
Mama Nadine: *saddened tone* I know honey…I know.
The cake is baked and ready to eat by the time Michael and I finish up our showers. Mama Nadine lights the candles and we all sing Happy Birthday…Mama Nadine’s beautiful voice overlapping our mostly out of tune voices to make it sound somewhat melodic.
After our song…Claudia blows out her candles and ages up to a young adult.
Mama Nadine surprises us by allowing us to do two things she never lets us do…eat birthday cake for breakfast and sit on the couch while doing it. Being allowed to do something that’s usually not permitted has a unique way of making the day seem extra special.
Raul: Happy birthday, big sis! I wonder if mom will try to contact you. Maybe she’ll finally send for us.
Claudia’s face once again takes on an angry scowl. She pauses before responding.
Claudia: I lied to you Rah. She’s not going to send for us…ever.
Raul: Wha – ? How do you know?
Claudia: She told me…before she was deported. She said that she wants us to have a better life…here. It’s the reason why she came here in the first place. I’m so sorry.
Raul’s response to Claudia’s deception sounds more disappointed than angry.
Raul: Why didn’t you tell me?
Claudia: I was waiting until you were older.
Raul takes a moment to process the news.
Raul: One day…I’ll go to Selvadorado to find her.
Claudia continues to eat her cake…not responding to Raul’s declaration. When she’s done…she gets up to clean her empty plate.
A bit later, the doorbell rings. Mama Nadine tells Darwin to answer it. He steps out the door and comes face to face with the Flower Bunny.
Darwin: Oh…hi!
Darwin invites the Flower Bunny inside. Although the rest of us are older…we’re still briefly intrigued by this unique visitor. Michael and I walk over to greet the bunny.
Meanwhile, Claudia makes a decision on how she’d like to spend her birthday. She invites us all to join her at a new skating rink that recently opened in Oasis Springs. Mama Nadine gives us permission to go, but Darwin refuses.
Darwin: I’ll just stay here and talk to the Flower Bunny.
Alida: Okay…but I’m sure skating is better than talking to someone dressed up as a bunny. *to the bunny* No offense.
(Generation 1 Chapter Summaries)
