Today it's my birthday. I'm fifty-five. When you are twenty-one, fifty-five seems so far away, but after forty, it's seems like the birthdays come more than one at time, without really knowing how you get here so fast!

I've just left the bar after having a few drinks. I'm driving home. A thunder explodes in my ears like a shot. It's raining heavily, so I can barely see to drive and if it keeps raining like this I'll have to slow or pull over. I'm a good driver and I know it. I have driven half drunk or half asleep before.

I'm not celebrating my birthday this time like I celebrate all the others. This time I'm celebrating it more quietly. When I get home, I won't call anyone. I'll just park my car, go inside, find something to eat and go to bed.

But, just as I get home, I see my boyfriend. He's standing there and he's holding a birthday cake. It's now 3AM.