third time's a charm

four days ago, shortly after i've plunked my stuff down on the coffee shop table, Cherub cracks open a large plastic container (that i recognize from the grocery store) and hands me one of a dozen shortbread cookies covered with thick red icing and sprinkles galore. the flavour's a bit off, actually. but the cookie's sweet all the same. and, besides, when else do you receive not one, not two, but three gifts from someone in honour of their birthday? that hasn't happened since waaay back in the era of birthday party loot bags -- when necklaces were made of froot loops (god bless edible jewellery!), and a lucky charm was merely something you found in an "irish" cereal box. plus, whereas the promise of the loot bag was sometimes the reason you decided to go to the party at all (be honest, now!), each of Cherub's foil-wrapped or icing-sprinkled goodies is a complete and delightful surprise.

before he manages to deliver his gift, i (finally) give him a birthday card. it's eight days late. but right on time for valentine's. since we don't know each other very well, the message inside is brief and, though friendly, no doubt a bit distant. but, if you read between the lines, you make out, loud and clear: thanks for making february 2013 pretty special.

and now back to translating...