As I look out the window, feeling sorry for myself, the sky gets darker and darker. And then a strange, flickering light comes from the bottom of the driveway. Then another. Three altogether, marching toward my window. They’re sparklers. As they get closer, I can see my mom, dad, and Ivy each carrying one, swirling them in the air to make circles and hearts that last just a second before dimming into black. Then my dad spells out Rachel before his sizzles out and he has to light another.

“Happy birthday to you,” they begin to sing as they approach my window. “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Rachel. Happy birthday to you.”

“Come on out and see what we got you,” my mom calls.

“Did you think we forgot?” Ivy says. “You didn’t, did you?”

“Of course not!” I lie happily.

I quickly text Micah, They remembered! and run outside.

“Stay here while I go get your present,” Ivy says, all excited. “Sorry to keep you waiting, but I wanted it to be dark. You have to guess the surprise before you can see it.”

“I hope you didn’t think we forgot,” my mom says.

I shrug. “Maybe. But I’m glad you didn’t.”

“Ivy’s been planning this for days,” my dad says. “Even the sparklers were her idea.”

My mom and dad stand on either side of me, squeezing me tight. It’s a good sandwich to be in, feeling love from both sides like that, when no one can see us so I don’t have to be embarrassed.

“Are you excited?” my dad asks.

“I can’t really imagine what it could be,” I say.

“Your sister put a lot of work into it, so if you don’t love it, pretend to anyway,” my mom says.

I wish she didn’t feel like she had to tell me that.

Pretty soon there’s a familiar click click clicking sound a bike makes when you’re coasting along, and then I can see reflectors shining as Ivy begins pedaling toward me, then a light flicks on the front. She squeaks the brakes just before she gently bumps the front tire into me.

“Ta-da!” Ivy steps off and flails her arms like a game show host presenting a prize.

My dad runs into the house and turns the outside lights on so we can see better.

“I saw an ad in the PennySaver and grabbed it quick before anyone else could,” my dad says. “Ivy has been making all the repairs, greasing the chain and making it as good as new.”

“Wow,” I say. “Thanks!”

“Try it out!” Ivy says. “It’s a million times better than your old piece of junk.”

“Ivy!” my mom says.

“Well, it is!”