My Birthday

For my birthday, which unfortunately tends to land on or around Thanksgiving, my family had spawned the idea of going to Disneyland. Our last trip to the magical kingdom I had heard people get in free on their birthdays and I could think of no better way to spend my day.


Of course, I wasn't concerned about money then.


So we planned to rent a house close to the park, take the dogs, and have a grand old time. Weeks in advance as we planned for this I realized the Principal would have to fly out, which meant I would have to drive out with the two dogs. So much fun for me.

I was worried about money and dreading going on what should have been a fun filled weekend. But all I could see was dollar signs. At least I wouldn't have to pay to get in to the park... Umm. Yeah, they ended that little discount and I had to use my hundred dollar bill my mother gave me for a present. The hundred I was going to use to get a new phone.

As my face fell when the happy attendant broke the news, I couldn't help but notice that the Principal, standing beside me, who hadn't so much as given me a card for my birthday did nothing. (but he did have to pay to fly out there right? but I had to pay for the share of the house, right?) I hate money.

Despite the awkward start and all of my mother's grumblings along the way, we had a good time. The Principal and I left late in the afternoon to check on the dogs who were happy little larks. By the end of the day we were all exhausted.

I awoke early the next morning with a UTI. It was probably the worst I have ever had, but I prayed fervently that if I drank enough of my special tea it would go away. The Principal offered to go to the store to get me "something" but I knew it would either fade or I was doomed to shelling out even more cash to see a doctor. By 9:30 my mother and sister were beside themselves with worry. I knew they were staging a coup. If I didn't tell the Principal I was ready to for Urgent Care one of them would have carted me off to a hospital.

Urgent Care was standard. I peed painfully in a cup and told them why I was there. When I talked to the doc and told him I had a UTI he noddded, looked at my lab and said "At least you're not pregnant." Always a silver lining. He gave me meds and a shot in the butt that left me more in pain than I had started. I made sure to pint out that flaw in his healing methodology.

Back at the house, more people were arriving but I just went and lay face down on the bed. Mom and sis took turns coming in to stroke my hair and tell me they loved me. The Principal stayed out of the way and watched football. If he interacted with anyone other than the TV and the TV addicted family friend, no one noticed.

In an attempt to make me feel better, my mom decided to buy me a new phone. I love her and her attempts to buy pain away. But I ended up standing through the whole agonizing "I'm not renewing my contract for the same services at an exponentially higher monthly price just to save $100 on a fucking phone" process. I wanted to puke all over the moronic T-Mobile store manager. I can do basic math, asshole.

We drove back to AZ the following day. I was so tired and sick I wanted to die, but I drove my half. A girl has to act tough, right. The Principal and I ate leftovers, watched a Disney movie and went to bed. He said he liked it when I played around, acting like a kid and making monster noises. I wondered when I stopped being myself. He went back to NM the next day, and I went to clean my offices. I didn't feel sad. I just felt tired.

The weather went frosty. I wondered when the same change had happened in me.