One Cupcake

Zeke planted his heavy cowboy boot to the porch. It cried out under his weight. Even though he was slender, he was muscular. His right hand held the eviction notice folded tightly into a pink envelope. He knocked on the door. A shade popped open next to the door and a tiny face peered through the glass.

“Woody!” The little boy roared swinging the door open wide.

“Jimmy! Don’t… “His mother stopped short seeing Zeke’s frame filling the door.

“I knew you’d come for my birthday Woody!” he said “Is Buzz coming too? This is the best birthday ever!”

Jimmy ran into the front room, sparsely filled with a threadbare carpet and worn secondhand furniture. He picked up one of the few toys on the ground.

“ZOOOMMMMM.” He said running toward the man again. His mother stood frozen as a tear streamed down her cheek.

“Don’t cry! I’ll let you play with him too.” Jimmy bounced around laughing. “Mom, you tricked me! I knew you had a present for me. No gift. HAH!”

Jimmy grabbed Zeke’s free hand and pulled him to the table where a single cupcake sat with five candles. “I’ll even share! Do you like chocolate cupcakes? My mom makes the best.”

Jimmy ran off to a corner of the small space while Zeke scanned the tidy yet nearly empty room. He had been ready for an argument, not a charming little boy just like his. Jimmy ran back “I have these three toys, which one do you want?” He exclaimed waving a worn-out teddy bear, a buzz light year and a train in the air.

Zeke folded the paper in his hand and shoved it in his pocket. “You’re my favorite Deputy.” He said with a smile sitting down next to the small boy.

“To Infinity and beyond” Jimmy called out flying Buzz straight to his mother. He wrapped his small arms around her legs.

Zeke looked at her and smiled. She mouthed “thank you.” And snuggled Little Jimmy. “Happy Birthday little man.”