And the Stars up Above - Chapter 21

May 4th, 1987
Mike

“Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you…” he heard his stepfather sing outside the room as he pushed the door open with his foot and stepped inside the room, carrying a tray in his hands. He finished the song next to Mike’s bed with his rough voice and Mike wished he wouldn’t have sung at all; it was too early in the morning to be awakened by such a voice. Mike rolled over to his side and pulled his pillow over his head.
“Hey, buddy, wake up!” Mike’s stepfather Steve said and sat down next to Mike on the bed. Mike grunted as Steve lit the lamp above his head. “Come on, you’re fifteen now! Don’t you want to enjoy that feeling?” If Mike’s eyes had been opened he would’ve rolled them.
“I’ve got a whole year to do that, so I think I’ll pass today.” He grunted. Steve sighed. He put his hand on Mike’s shoulder and shook him gently.
“Oh come on now. We’re going to the Armstrong’s soon. So just eat your breakfast now. I’ve made it myself, you know. And when we get to the Armstrong’s you’ll get your presents, how does that sound?” At last Mike opened his eyes, but immediately closed them again; that damn lamp was too damn bright! He opened them again, more careful this time. He blinked a few times and slowly started to try to sit up. To wake up this early on a weekend could not be healthy.
“Yeah, sure.” Mike yawned and finally got up completely. Steve put the tray with Mike’s breakfast in his lap. Mike smelled Steve’s wonderful pancakes and he started to feel like this day could be something after all. That was one thing that was great with Steve; he was a fantastic cook, and he’d taught Mike everything he knew, which meant that Mike was quite good too.
“So…” Mike said with his mouth full. “What did you get me?” Steve laughed and shook his head.
“Oh no, you’ll just have to wait! But the sooner you finish your breakfast and get ready, the sooner you’ll find out. But there’s no need to be stressed. Just take your time; we’ll get there when we get there.” Steve laughed when he realised that those last words hadn’t had any effect at all on Mike; he was eating faster than ever.
“Wow, are you really that anxious to have your presents?” Steve asked but Mike shook his head.
“No.” he said with his mouth full. “I just want to see Billie. Jason is coming too, right?” Steve nodded. Mike smiled. “I just want to see Billie and Jason.” Steve rolled his eyes.
“Yeah sure, I mean, it was such a long time since you saw them last.” He said and grabbed one of Mike’s pancakes.
“Yeah, must be like… 10 hours ago, it’s a mystery that I’m still alive.” Mike said and chuckled. He gave the tray back to Steve and climbed out of his bed.
“I’m off to take a shower, then we can go.” He said and grabbed the same clothes that he had worn yesterday off the floor. Steve nodded and walked out the door to go and do the dishes.

Mike opened the door to the Armstrong’s without knocking, just like he always did, only this time he was met by a song. Happy Birthday was sung towards him from all directions. Ollie with her low, cosy voice, and Billie Joe standing right next to her. His voice was pretty much drenched by his mother’s so Mike couldn’t hear him very well. Then three of Billie Joe’s siblings, David, Allen and Marcy, standing in various places on the stairs leading into the living room. Even Brad was there, although he wasn’t singing. Mike couldn’t se Jason anywhere, but he could hear his high-pitched voice and he guessed that he was somewhere behind all the Armstrong’s. Mike didn’t really know what to do, so he just stood there and listened. Soon, he felt his stepfather’s hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to him and smiled and Steve smiled back and Mike was sure that they were both thinking the same thing; Mike would be coming to a great family.