~Hazel's POV~
Darkness befallen over the hall before a tiny flame flickered, illuminating all that was present in the room. A dozen pairs of eyes broadened, taking the shade of amber, and in a hubbub, everyone yelled, "Happy Birthday, Lauren!"
As instructed, John switched the lights back on, and I approached the coffee table, setting the strawberry cake in the middle; a customized candle shaped as the numbers seventy—six centered the top. Chuckling at the hungry expressions, I clapped my hands. "Come, come, everyone. It's time."
Like a swarm of aged bees, forty people rushed forward, huddling around a flushed Lauren who, even at this age, looked almost like a fairy tale princess in her pink fluffy gown.
"Cut it, cut it, Laurie. I ain't getting any younger," Ben urged, bouncing his frail body as much as his age let him, and everyone burst out laughing.
Handing the knife to Lauren, I walked backwards a few feet and angled my camera in the air. "Ready."
As the birthday girl blew the candle out, the room erupted into another round of happy birthday songs while I took my desired pictures. One more happy moment to add to the memory keeper.
She cut out triangle pieces of small cakes and fed all the craving mouths until her soft eyes drove to me. "Hazel, what're you doing there, dearie? Come here." She stretched out a relatively large slice of the cake in my way.
"Yes, yes. You go. I'll take the pictures," Joseph offered, taking the camera from me.
"Alrighty!" I nodded, smiling and walking in the middle of the crowd. The smile radiating off of Lauren's face, showed all the happiness and gratitude that oozed from her heart.
"Thank you for everything, Hazie!" She pulled me in a motherly hug. "I don't know if I'll be here to celebrate my next birthday, but I'll die in peace, knowing you're here to take care of all these oompa loompas." Her voice cracked at the end.
Pulling out of the hug, I wiped the tears staining her wrinkled cheeks and fixed the party hat over her gray hair. "Don't say that, lady. You're living at least a hundred years with all these wonderful oompa loompas wishing for you," I said with a giggle and lifted her hand containing the cake, lightly pushing it to her thinned lips. Then she repeated my action, and I took a bite of the delicious fluffy delicacy, my taste buds dancing in delight.
After the whole cake was devoured, it was time for the presents, and one by one everyone delivered theirs. When it was my time, I pulled out the flat, red—wrapped gift and extended it to her.
"Thank you, darling," gratifying, she began ripping the decorating paper slowly. All the eyes around watched curiously, holding their breath. They were definitely going to be satisfied I could say. I had been thinking about this present for the last two months.
As the last casing was undone, and the velvety covered book was out, frowns formed in every forehead. Eyeing the flock, Lauren proceeded to turn the cover.
Three, two, one!
Gasps echoed throughout the walls of the old—age home as everybody hovered over the photo album, turning pages after pages, awning and laughing at the memories. A lone tear escaped my eyes, and my heart fluttered with heavenly bliss to see these elderly people so happy. I had taken weeks inserting pictures that I had been collecting ever since my mother introduced me to this place. She wasn't here anymore, but I had the people she called family, the place she called home.
A pat on my shoulder made me wipe my eyes in a haste, and I looked up at Joseph, his eyes held the same glee. "Your mother would be so proud of you, kid."
"Thanks!" I draped my arm around his hunched shoulders and sighed. "I'll never leave you guys ever again."
"Hey, whatever you do, don't make us your burden, eh?" His hand ruffled the brown locks on my head.
"Correction." I glanced at him, ruffling whatever hair was left on his head. It was our thing since we knew each other. "Y'all are my strength, old man."
A gasp snatched our attention towards the crowd. "Oh look, it's a picture of Joseph picking his nose!"
Oops! My eyes widened, and I bit my lip, trying to stop the cackle threatening to come out. Of all the elders, Joseph was the one man who liked to come off as the cool, composed guy, never showing a flaw. But at my younger age, I had been on a mission to expose him, finally capturing a picture that would ruin his perfect image on a lazy summer morning.
The hall burst out in laughter. "Hazie, you did it!"
Gulping, I released him and ran, but so did he, limping behind me with his walking cane held high.
"W'ere you goin, kid? Ye can't 'scape me today."
"Not my fault. Donald challenged me," I spoke between laughs.
"Wat? Nay!" came Donald's wide—eyed rejection. Apparently, everyone feared Joseph except me for I had known him in a way no one else did.
Suddenly he stopped, his hand lifting to his chest, but it felt like my heartbeat stopped as I rushed to him along with the others. "Joseph! Joseph, are you alri—?"
Without warning, his arm wrapped around my shoulder, and his pained expression turned into a mischievous one. "Gotcha!"
