Birthday

A short story

Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash

She hadn’t told anyone at the office it was her birthday, but somehow here she was, standing over a cake with thirty-seven burning candles while her co-workers sang an awkward, off-key round of “for she’s a jolly good fellow.” What, did they think “Happy Birthday to You” required a royalty payment?

“Thanks everyone,” she said when they’d completed their half-hearted applause. “Thanks.”