Short Story: Happy Birthday, Baby

Short Story: Happy Birthday, Baby

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY

Mira studied the gift she had just wrapped. It looked beautiful in the brightly coloured paper with the blue ribbon and perfectly tied bow. Opening the dressing-table drawer, she hid the present under the items of clothing. She smiled as her gaze settled on her husband’s birthday surprise. Everything was in its place for the evening she had so carefully planned.

Just then she heard her husband yell from the lounge, "Hey, come here, and make it snappy!"

And, as always, Mira obeyed. She’d learned a long time ago not to argue with Jacques. Her footsteps echoed on the hard wood floors as she headed for the front room of the house.

"Yes, what do you want?" she asked.

Jacques turned his wheel-chair around to face her; an expression of excitement on his face as he asked, a little breathlessly. "So, tell me, I can’t wait. What did you get me?"

Mira leaned down and placing each hand on the wheel-chair’s armrests, replied, "You can ask all you like, you know, I won’t tell you."

"Come on, the suspense is killing me!" he said.

Mira sighed; she’d grown sick and tired of his games. It had all started shortly after the car accident when he had lost the use of his legs. Although, recently she’d noticed that he was able to lift himself occasionally from the chair. She’d been driving the night of the crash and Jacques, just like the hyenas in the wild, smelled her guilt and played on it each opportunity he got. Lately, he made sure she paid in increasingly despicable ways.

Jacques cleared his throat and Mira realised he was waiting for a reply. She flicked her blonde hair across a tanned shoulder and said, "Okay, if you really must know then I’ll give you a little clue – ." Slowly and deliberately, she moistened her lips; all the while watching the expression in his pale eyes. Jacques thrived on being teased and tempted. She leaned towards him, just close enough so he could smell her scent and then in the child-like voice he always demanded she use, whispered, "Baby, rest assured, it will blow your mind!"

The lust in his eyes made her sick to the stomach. She swallowed the nausea rising in her throat. God, she hated him. However, she managed to say as sweetly as she could, "Just be patient - I’m going to get myself all prettied up for tonight – see you in a while," and with that she left the lounge.

It was to be a quiet evening, just the two of them and Jacques’ old school friend, Alex and his wife Jane. Mira slipped into the skimpy, red dress, the one she’d bought especially for the evening. It clung to her, accentuating every curve of her body. Sliding her hands across the smooth satin fabric, she smiled; Jacques was in for one spectaular surprise this evening.

A few nights ago, as they’d laid side-by-side; her body bruised and aching, she’d quietly informed Jacques that this year he’d be receiving two birthday gifts from her.

"One to open in front of your friends … the other I’ll give you when we’re alone!" she’d whispered.

He’d laughed and again grabbed hold of her arm, squeezing the flesh hard, until she whimpered.

"You better make sure it’s worth my while!" he growled.

"Oh, it will be – you can count on that! In fact," she paused a while, then turned on her side and leaned towards him as she whispered in his ear, "You can count on it being a life changing experience!"

Mira arrived in the entrance hall just in time to welcome their guests.

"Hello, I must say you look simply stunning, doesn’t she, darling?" Jane remarked, her gaze sweeping over Mira as she sauntered through to the dining room.

Alex glanced over at their hostess, his agreement showing in his small, dark, eyes as he exclaimed, "My word Mira, I’d forgotten how lovely you scrub up!"

She could feel his eyes boring into the back of her head as they joined the others. Alex winked at Jacques as he said, "I hear old Jacques’ getting two gifts this year, hey!" he said,

"Yes, you heard right – I think he deserves it; especially after all he has given me," she replied glibly.

Mira glanced at Jacques and although repulsed by the sight of his tongue darting out his mouth as he licked his thick, fleshy lips, she forced herself to smile. She knew he was lost in a world of his own; his thoughts immersed in what he imagined would happen once they were alone.

"Come, let’s sit down, so we can eat," said Mira.

"Goodness, you’ve gone to so much trouble," remarked Jane as her gaze settled on the beautifully set table.

Mira smiled as she reached for a plate and dished up slices of cooked ham, roast pork with mustard sauce, crispy roast potatoes, fresh creamed spinach and sweet-baked pumpkin.

She placed it down in front of Jacques, "Enjoy, darling! And there’s just a sprinkling of cinnamon on the pumpkin, just the way you like it."

"Hmm, somehow I feel like a condemned man," laughed Jacques; his eyes like ice as he stared coldly at Mira.

As they ate, the conversation drifted from one topic to another. Although Mira joined in; she was bored and wanted the evening over and their guests gone, so that she could give Jacques what he deserved.

Her gaze drifted over to him and she watched as he chewed, gravy dribbling down his chin. Alex said something to him and he laughed, his mouth opened and bits of food fell to the white table cloth. God, he is disgusting, she thought, quickly glancing away.

She became aware that Alex had asked a question and was waiting none-too-patiently, for her reply.

"I’m so sorry," she apologised, "my thoughts were elsewhere."

"That’s quite alright, Mira – we all understand exactly what you were thinking about, don’t we?" and with that they all burst into laughter, except for her. He continued in his sickly, whining voice. "Actually, what I was saying, is that I can’t believe it’s been five years since the accident!"

There was a deafening silence. Mira moved uneasily in her chair as she stared unwaveringly at her husband and replied, "Yes, time flies when you’re having fun, isn’t that so, sweetheart?"

Jacques laughed; the sound forced, "I suppose it depends on what your definition of fun is … ?"

Mira smiled inwardly; she knew that Alex’s remark about the accident had infuriated him.

She glanced at her left wrist; if she were to remove the broad, copper bracelet it would reveal the purple bruises. Her breasts were still tender and enflamed from his bite marks; but no more, she was not going to stand for it any longer. Once, she had loved him, but those feelings were for the man she married; the one sitting opposite her had, over the years, turned into a vile stranger.

Mira lifted the glass and sipped the wine, her fingers clenched around the stem of the glass.

"Well, Jacques, it’s time to open your gifts," gushed Jane.

Mira realised the silly woman was trying her best to lighten the mood and she watched as Jacques grabbed the present and like a child he eagerly tore the wrappings away.

"Now, this is what I call a present!" he exclaimed as he lifted a delicately hand-carved wall clock.

Mira gave an exaggerated yawn, "How beautiful … now you can sit and watch time ticking slowly by … tick-tock, tick-tock …" she said.

She stood up and walked over to Jacques and handed him her gift. He took it from her and without saying a word, began to unwrap it.

"What lovely paper!" gushed Jane.

Jacques glanced up and stared at Mira for what seemed an eternity, and then he replied, "Yes, it is. And just like some people who are beautiful on the outside, once you tear at the layers all you find is absolutely nothing inside where it matters!"

She watched as he lifted the silver framed photograph from the paper. It was taken before the accident, of him standing on the deck of his yacht. Mira watched as he touched the smiling face that gazed back at him.

He put the photo face down onto to the table and quietly said, "Why thank you Mira, for being so thoughtful as to remind me of what I’ve become!" and with that he pushed himself away from the table and wheeled himself out of the dining room.

Alex and Jane gave each other an uncomfortable look and then Alex said, "I think it’s time for Mira to give Jacques his surprise gift … and judging by the look of things, I think there's no time like now!"

Jane glanced enquiringly at her husband and then only realised what he meant. "Yes, of course. Mira, I think we’ll be on our way … I can see, you and Jacques need to be alone," she said.

Mira did not reply. She waited until she heard the front door shut and then poured herself a stiff drink. Her thoughts raced as she rehearsed what she was going to say to Jacques; it had to be clever, something that wouldn’t arouse his curiosity in any way. She poured herself another drink and then walked slowly to their bedroom.

The room was in darkness, except for the light coming through the open window. Jacques didn’t look up as she entered. Slowly, she unzipped her dress and let it fall to the ground.

Jacques snorted, "So, is this it – is this what I’ve been waiting for? Surely, you could have attempted a better surprise?"

Mira didn’t reply as she approached him. She stopped inches from him. Although she couldn’t see the expression in his eyes; she knew what it would be. She felt ill as his hands reached out and grabbed her by the wrists.

"You’ve disappointed me yet again! You could’ve used your imagination for once!" he hissed.

Mira felt his hot breath on her stomach as he spoke. She wanted to recoil from his touch; instead she turned and walked slowly across to the dressing table; every nerve soaring with anticipation. Quietly, she pulled open the top-drawer. Her hands searched beneath the clothing as she said, "Happy birthday, baby …"

Mira’s heart skipped a beat; it wasn’t there. No, screamed her mind, it had to be, she’d checked when she’d hidden his other present in there that very morning. Frantic, she searched once more.

"Dammit, hurry up … I haven’t got all night!" snarled Jacques.

Mira laughed nervously, "A little patience … I promised you that my second gift would blow your mind!" she purred.

Jacques laughed dryly, "And you’re right! It’s definitely gonna blow someone’s mind," he said as he wheeled himself over to where she stood and added icily, "but definitely not mine!"

Mira’s eyes widened as he struggled to his feet and asked, "Is this what you’re looking for?"

She froze as she felt the cold metal against her forehead; he'd found the gun. The scent of her fear filled the room. The last thing she heard was the shot as it echoed through the night air.

THE END