[It was his birthday. Manny figured this meant that he should have been excited - after all, birthdays were celebrated - but he found the only thing he could feel was dread and embarrassing disappointment in himself.
Today was his twentieth birthday and what had he accomplished? What had he done with his life? Looking back on it all now, Manny realized that he had done nothing but hide, live below the radar and sacrifice so much to keep from being noticed. And he was anything but happy for it: hell, he couldn't even say he was content. Granted, twenty was still young and he had so, so many years ahead of him to make of it as he wanted - but he was comparing the life of Emmanuel to Hyacinthus and found the differences were depressing. Hyacinthus had been a prince and a Spartan - a hero with a festival all to his name; Manny was defeated product of misfortune who chewed through his sleeves and rarely looked anyone in the eye.
With over a decade since he had last seen them, Manny's mind wandered to his family: to his mother - a tiny woman with the most beautiful hair and determined to sing always, despite having a voice comparable to a wailing cat; his father - a man who, despite being nearly six feet tall and well over two-hundred pounds, was nowhere near big enough to house his massive personality; to his brothers and sisters - seven the last he remembered, but maybe there were more now and who knew what they had down with their lives. He didn't doubt that they thought of him too, but he imagined that they regarded such thoughts with more anger than much else: he had brought with him the jealousy of a god spurned and ruined their lives for it.
But if he hadn't, if they had been able to love him without consequence would they look at him now and be proud of who he had become?
If he was honest with himself - perfectly and horribly honest - Manny had to say that they wouldn't be. He certainly wasn't.]
IsIs anyone elsePlease tell me Anyone else have fireworks?
They've been going off since I woke up.
Where are theyHow did theyI don't know why I ask anymore. Nothing can be explained at this place.
They're noisybrightunnecessaryinterfering wi irritating. You don't think they could
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[MAL.] I found a place that makes tacos de tripas.
Would you still like to see them?
[MARKUS.] I'm trying not toWould you be offended if
It's my birthday. I'd like it if you could hang out with me.