My Baby is Seventeen

Kirk is being seventeen. This is me gritting my teeth and smiling through it. Kirk walked in the door from track practice bragging about the number of birthday cards he got at school. At least a dozen, all girls. He asks, "What's up with girls and cards?" I just shake my head.

Then he gets on my computer to check his facebook where he has three pages of birthday wishes. The first of which is a girl at church he always sits by and texts and both are adamant that they're "just friends" and don't want to date. More head shaking.

I spent the day cleaning, lots and lots of laundry so Kirk's track uniform will be clean, baking (Great Grandma Davis' Seven Layer Masterpiece Chocolate Cake came out great by the way) fixing food (his requested menu), wrapping gifts and setting the table. No painting. No reading my latest book, The Host. I knew Brian wasn't going to be here because he was going to a coaching meeting. We discussed this ahead of time with Kirk and Kirk ok'd it because he benefits by having Brian sell him to college coaches. I planned for that, didn't get him a steak. Tonight also happens to be YW/YM and cubs. Kirk announces he's not going to church (my only other driver) as I was putting the rolls in the oven, but rather out with two friends...to grab something to eat. My mouth hit the floor. I think you get to spend your birthday anyway you want, but you can imagine my feelings at this point. So he's about to leave when I told him he had to wait until Brian got home to see him open his presents. Then Brian, who's office went to a Red's baseball game today, and who went to the gym afterward while I was home cooking and NOT exercising because I have no car, is here long enough to shower, watch gifts and leave. I have to call and get rides for both Jake and Dani. Dani's ride is coming at 5:30 because they're running errands first so now she won't be here for dinner. Jake is allergic to beef and can't have a steak. He eats rolls before getting picked up.

So to be clear, I'm sitting here alone in my house with the dinner and cake that nobody ate at the table nobody sat at. *shakes head* I hope Kirk's priest's quorum leader was typically male and didn't do anything about the fact that I e-mailed him earlier today that it was Kirk's birthday. Can mom's quit?

UPDATE: Kirk did not go get something to eat, but rather to a friend's house to watch a short film. I suggest he at least have some cake, naturally so I can have some. He says he'll do that when he gets back. From where I ask? From church he answers, in fact, he says, "I have to go now or I'm going to be late." Yes, church meetings that I had to get rides for his siblings to because he wasn't going. My jaw, once again hits the floor. Seriously, can I quit?