Birthday Blues

Birthday Blues

Elena had been counting down to her birthday all month. Every morning, she crossed another day off the calendar. " Guess what, Mom?" she exclaimed. " Just two more days until I turn eight! "

" That's wonderful, " her mother replied, but she sounded distracted. " Elena, honey, can you hand me that dish towel? Isabella just spit up, " she said. Elena sighed. Her new sister was just one week old, and she was already a pest. It seemed to Elena as though she was always in need of attention.

" Why the long face, squirt?" asked Nina, Elena's big sister. " Oh, no reason, " Elena replied. She didn't know how to explain how forgotten she felt. All week, friends and family had stopped by to meet Isabella. Everybody seemed to think she was adorable. They wanted to hold her, and coo over her, and kiss her. Nobody seemed to notice that Elena was even in the room!

The next day, as soon as the mail arrived, Elena ran to get it. There were three colorful cards inside the mailbox. " Birthday cards! " Elena cheered. Then she took a second look and frowned. None of the cards were addressed to her.

" They're congratulations cards in honor of the new baby, " her dad explained. Elena rolled her eyes. " What about my birthday?" she asked. “ Are we going to have a party this weekend? Mom promised we could! " Elena's father didn't have a chance to answer. He heard Isabella crying, and he rushed off to help.