One of the sweetest kids of all time is excited because it's a special day. Instead of playing with her friends she works with construction paper and crayons all afternoon. She makes a card, a crown, a magic wand, a megaphone, all covered in scrawled flowers. Purple and red.
Her dad shows up and doesn't say hello to her, only gestures to hurry up. He's on the phone talking business. He's a real important guy. She stands there looking little, because she is. She says Happy birthday Daddy. He doesn't hear it.
Because I'm dumb, I like to pretend these people are actors on a commercial and I do the voiceover in my head. So, you're a jackass. You've missed your kid's childhood. It happened without you and you can't get it back, ever. When the enormity of what you've wasted comes crashing down on your narrow little heart, enjoy Cats In The Cradle brand tissues.
