The Last Birthday Party For Karen

Birthday parties are fun for young teens, long they've waited: it's time for cheers! Balloons are dangling from the ceiling, slow music plays throughout the Hall, chatting girls woo boys...something of romantic nature is rapidly brewing; watchful mothers stand against the wall. Where's Karen? Everybody starts worrying; somebody runs outside, " She's coming! " A sigh of relief runs across delighted faces. The door swings open, Karen in a wheelchair appears, it's a vision of a ghost much too fair: sunken eyes, shaved head that shows her skull; all the gests greet her, she used to be a doll! Karen waves at them, perceiving sad glances; she expected to see more cheerful faces... searching inside, she feels great sadness instead of deep sympathy for her illness. And as planned the party goes on all noon, cheer returns on Karen's pale face, she forgets insidious thoughts that battle inside; after all it's her birthday party and she wants to have fun! Mark comes forward with a boyish shyness, and invites her to dance: it's her favorite song, and that makes her vibrate with life's gladness; although it's brief, it couldn't be more thrilling! Written on 2/ 7/ 2016