Birthday Boy

100-word story

Twenty bucks is all Katie’s got that’s not going to rent, gas, and electricity. 

The register flashes $23.19.

Katie surveys cake mix, frosting, candles, eggs, ice cream, and balloons, weighing cost against Kody’s smiles. 

“Take the ice cream off, please?”

Austin presses a button. 

$19.70.

Katie hands him crumpled bills and scrounged coins.

Austin sorts the mon…