“Happy Birthday, Antonio!” His family screamed at brace-faced Tony. He smiled as the three tiered Ninja Turtle cake lit up with ten candles. He was beyond happy, finally hitting a double digit age meant that he was oh so much closer to being a man. Closing his eyes, Tony thought of everything he could wish for. He wanted to be a turtle more than anything, but he knew that was physically impossible. So he went with the next best thing: music. He took a deep breath and blew out the candles and smiled widely as his family broke out into applause.
The gifts rolled in, and Tony was probably the happiest person in the room. His parents got him a pet turtle which he named tortoise for lack of a better name. He immediately sat her on a tiny stool next to him as he opened the other presents. The items varied from iTunes gift cards to Ninja Turtle action figures to even rock band tshirts and tips on how to become a rock star. He loved everything, but he was mostly anticipating the gift from his abuela. She always bought him the greatest gifts. When he didn’t see her around, he got a bit sad.
Tony’s dad broke out into hysterical sadness and caught everyone’s attention. His brother arrived and was holding a big box, yet he looked sad. He announced that his mother, Tony’s grandmother died in her sleep that morning. Tony instantly teared up; he loved his grandma. She always cared for him and taught him everything he knew. He became her muse after his grandpa passed away, and she taught him music, which made out to be one of his passions. She always encouraged him to follow his dream of a world full of music, no matter what people threw at him. He loved her, and now she’s gone.
Uncle Miran brought him the giant colorful box he was holding. “Mamá wanted to give this to you. She spent all night wrapping it for you. She even made the card and paper herself,” he told small Tony, a tear rolling down his cheek. Tony sniffled as his tear stained face struggled to smile at his uncle. He hugged him tightly and took the box, reading the card first. “Feliz cumpleaños, Antonio…” it began, soon leading into a personal poem written in Spanish. He cried as he finished reading, carefully opening the paper to the box and setting it aside to keep.
Tony opened the box to find a red electric guitar with his name printed on it in fancy calligraphy and a smiley face and a “De Abuela”. His eyes lit up in happiness as he stroked it, careful not to touch it too much in fear of breaking it. He broke down then, clutching it in his arms as if it were his grandma herself. “Gracias,” he chanted quietly, tears staining the cardboard of the box. Right then, he knew what he was going to be and he was determined to make her proud.
