TOM BOLTON
"Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday, my dear Tom... Happy birthday to you!"
Mom's soft voice filled the cozy living room as she stood smiling at me.
I chuckled. "Thanks, Mom. You always make it special."
"You're twenty-five now," she said proudly, her eyes warm with love. "A grown man, but you'll always be my little boy."
She reached over and gently put the wooden necklace around my neck. The polished wood felt warm, almost as if it carried a life of its own.
"Thank you, Mom," I said, touching the necklace.
A strange feeling crept through me—a tingling in my chest and heightened senses I couldn't explain.
Everything around me suddenly felt sharper, clearer. I shook it off, telling myself it was just a birthday gift, nothing more.
Mom hugged me tightly. "This necklace is very special, Tom. It's the only thing of real value I can give you. It's been passed down from our ancestors."
I sighed. The necklace looked simple, not valuable at all. But seeing the way her eyes sparkled made me swallow my doubts.
"I'll take care of it, Mom," I promised, smiling. "Thank you so much."
Her face softened. "Are you doing well at the hospital?"
I looked down, a bit hesitant. "I'm trying my best to pass my internship. I want to become the best doctor I can be."
Mom brushed a hand over my cheek. "Tom, it's better to be a good doctor with a kind heart than the best one without compassion. Don't chase it just for money or fame. Remember, it's about healing people."
Her words hit deep. I nodded, hugging her again. "I'll remember that, Mom."
She pulled back and smiled gently. "Maybe Emily's waiting for you?"
"Yeah, I should go." I kissed her cheek. "I'll visit again soon."
"You better," she said playfully.
On the way back to the apartment I shared with Emily, I felt a heavy weight on my mind.
Life was still a financial struggle, but I gave in to Emily's request for our own place.
I didn't mind, as long as I could visit Mom often. She lived alone now after Dad passed years ago.
As I reached the apartment, I pushed open the door, happy to be home. But then I froze.
The unmistakable sounds of a man and woman came from the bedroom.
What is that sound? Or better said a moans?
I stood in front of the bedroom door, my hand trembling on the doorknob. Today was supposed to be special.
As I pushed the door open the sight that greeted me made my heart stop.
Emily was in bed, and beside her was Gerald Lopez, the guy who had bullied me all through university. They were both naked, tangled up together.
Emily moaned, "Oh Gerald, you're so good!"
Gerald grinned, leaning in to kiss her. "Of course, I'm better than useless Tom!"
My chest felt tight.
"Emily," Gerald continued, "why did you agree to let Tom get the apartment?"
Emily laughed, "Why not? Tom is so in love with me. That apartment will be our love nest. We won't need to pay for motels anymore."
"Smart girl," Gerald chuckled.
Their words cut deep.
I thought Emily was preparing a surprise for my birthday, but it was all a lie. She didn't care about me at all.
I felt my heart wrench with pain. I wanted to confront them, but I knew I had to keep my dignity.
So, I turned to leave, but then I heard Gerald laugh. "Well, it seems Tom chose you over his poor mother!"
Emily joined in, "Everything I say, Tom will obey."
Their laughter echoed in my ears.
Gerald continued, "Do you know Tom's mother comes from a rich family, but it said that her parent's disowned her when she got pregnant with unknown man. Tom's a cursed child!"
Emily frowned. "I don't care about Tom anymore."
"Of course, I'm better in bed, right?" Gerald smirked.
"Oh yeah," Emily replied, her voice dripping with enthusiasm.
"Let him go back to his mother. Tom and his mother are both miserable," Gerald said.
I felt like I was drowning in their words.
I wanted to scream, to shout, to make them feel the pain I was feeling.
Emily kissed Gerald. "That's why I chose you over Tom."
They both laughed again, and I couldn't take it anymore.
I kicked the door open wider.
"Cheaters!" I yelled, my voice cracking.
Emily and Gerald looked at me, surprise etched on their faces.
"Tom," Emily said, but she just frowned. "We're done. I choose Gerald. He's the one I love."
My heart sank.
"Gerald, let's go," she added, pulling him closer.
I felt rage bubbling inside me. "You think you can just take her from me?"
Gerald stepped forward, towering over me. "I'm the first to get Emily with the bed you just bought, you're weak, Tom."
I clenched my fists, adrenaline rushing through me. "I'm not weak!"
"Prove it," he taunted.
But I knew I wasn't a fighter.
I lunged at him, but he easily dodged me. Gerald grabbed my shirt and pushed me back.
"Come on, fight!" he yelled.
I swung my fist, but it was no use. Gerald was muscular, and I was just slim.
He overpowered me in seconds.
I felt a punch land on my stomach, and I gasped.
"Fight back, Tom!" he shouted, but I couldn't.
The world started to fade as I hit the ground, my vision blurring.
I lay there, unable to move, feeling the weight of my heartbreak.
Gerald and Emily quickly got dressed, their laughter still ringing in my ears.
They left me lying on the floor, and I knew in that moment that I had lost everything.
Suddenly, I could feel the vine wood necklace around my neck pulsing strangely.
"What's happening?" I thought, panic rising in my chest.
It seem absorbed my blood, and a sharp sting shot through me.
"Help! Someone, please!" I wanted to scream, but my voice was weak.
I felt a strange energy flowing into my body, something magical.
"What is happening?" I wondered, confusion swirling in my mind.
But the pain was too much.
Everything around me started to fade.
Then everything turned black, and I lost consciousness.