A Most Important Day

     Speaking of which, wasn't today garbage day?

     Coconori hurled off her blanket, set her Borovan down on the five square inches of space on her bedside table -- prodding it as she zoomed by to make sure it didn't spill -- and threw on her coat, shoving her feet into warm stockings at the same time. She knew there was something she'd forgotten!

     The Custard Aisha hurtled through the bathroom, and then the kitchen, sweeping all the garbage into a bag -- glancing at it afterwards to double-check that it was the right one. Yes, the black one was the standard garbage bag. Right. She stepped into her boots, not bothering to lace them, opened the front door, sneezed in the sudden chill and nearly slipped down the stairs. Of course, she'd forgotten to shovel the snow in the morning.

     The garbage collector, a tall uniformed Lutari, was already outside. He'd picked up the neighbour's garbage and was about to pass by--

     "WAAAIIIT!" Coconori yelled, her long Aisha ears bouncing in the wind as she raced to catch up to the Lutari. Half-tripping over her laces and panting, she deposited her bags of garbage at his feet apologetically, like an offering.

     The Lutari grinned. He was used to this sort of thing. "Just remember, garbage day is every Thursday morning, at noon."

     Coconori nodded solemnly. "I will!" She nodded again. "I mean, I forgot last week, but, I will remember next time!"

     "Take care."

     "You too!" Coconori watched the garbage truck trundle down the lane, a whir of snow flying in its wake.

     Then, suddenly aware that her face and neck were cold because she hadn't had time to put on her hat and scarf, she retreated indoors and slid the lock shut. Whew. Winter sure came quickly in Neopia Central.

     Absently drumming along the wall as she returned to her room, Coconori picked up her mug of now lukewarm Borovan, snuggled back down against her plushies, and tried to relax. But the feeling of having forgotten something didn't subside. What was it? She had a feeling that today was an important day but she couldn't figure out why.

     Was it a deadline she'd missed? No, she'd submitted her article three days ago, on time. Rent? No, she'd paid that just last night. Next article? She was going to cover that this evening. And she'd already researched and prepared the questions she was going to ask the interviewee-- they were right there, on sixteen scraps of paper on her bedroom floor, colour-coded in red, purple, and orange. She should probably put them into a folder for carrying purposes, but she'd basically memorized the questions already anyway. And besides, she hadn't bothered to buy any paper clips. She kept meaning to, but... other things just kept coming up.

     Then... what was it she'd forgotten?

     Maybe she was just worrying over nothing. It had been a busy week, and she'd slept in for the first time in days; she deserved some time off. Coconori finished her Borovan, dozed off, and then woke to find that the mug had slipped from her grasp and was now swaying back and forth on its side, on the floor. Thankfully, the long blanket draping on the floor had cushioned its fall, and it was empty so there was no spill to worry about.

     Coconori took the mug to the sink, humming a merry tune, and was just about to wash it when her phone vibrated.

     Oh no, was it an emergency call from her editor? Had the event she was going to cover been rescheduled? No, it was--

     "Mom?"

     "Happy birthday, dear!"

     The young Aisha blushed. That was what she'd forgotten! Her own birthday. Her eyes shone with sudden tears. Her mom had remembered, just like she was still a little girl. "Mom!"

     "Have you had lunch?"

     "Yes," Coconori lied. She'd woken up late enough to have brunch, and it wasn't nearly time to eat lunch yet. "Have you?"

     "I have! I made some noodles in honour of your birthday." Coconori's mom was still living in Shenkuu, where everyone ate noodles on birthdays to hope for prosperity and longevity. "I wish you could've had them! I put in some fresh-caught shrimp."

     "Aw, that sounds really nice, mom."

     "What did you eat?"

     "Oh, uh... some leftovers. Omelette, and strawberry cake."

     "Cake? Where'd you get that from?" Her mom knew she didn't bake.

     "A friend came over and brought some cake," Coconori replied. "A girl friend," she clarified. "It's organic cake, made with fresh ingredients-- strawberry, and vanilla, and banana, you know. Flour, of course. Neggs..."

     "That's nice of her! Was it Sunny, the Kacheek in the photo you showed me last week?"

     "Yes!" Coconori blushed again. Somehow her mom always remembered everything; it could be annoying and embarrassing at times.

     "How is she?"

     "She's doing great! We're going together to cover an event tonight for the paper. She'll be doing the camerawork and audio recording and I'll be interviewing and making notes. The editor says that if we keep on producing quality work, we might get promoted soon."

     "I'm very proud of you, dear! Just remember to dress warmly at night. Neopia Central is a lot colder at this time of year than home."

     "I know, mom."

     "Make sure to eat enough vegetables too, dear."

     "Yeeees mooom."

     "Did you pay your rent?"

     "Yes. I already bought groceries for the weekend, too." Coconori opened the cupboard as she said so, just to double-check, and sure enough! The bread, nut butter, Screlon fruit jam, and avocados were all there. She showed them to her mom. "I got them on sale," she added.

     "Looks good, but where's the meat?"

     "Mom, nut butter has protein in it."

     "Alright. How many days has it been since you did laundry?"

     "Er... I forgot. But I have enough clothes to wear, I promise."

     "What about cleaning the bathroom?"

     "Well, there aren't any bugs in it."

     "Remember to write things down, dear, so you don't forget them."

     "Thaaanks mooom." Coconori rolled her eyes, but she didn't actually feel as resentful as she was appearing to be.

     And her mom, chuckling, seemed to understand. "Have a great day, love."

     "You too, mom. Love you." Coconori smiled as she ended the call. Yes, she was eighteen today! An adult, at last.

     The End.