The Rise of Gabriel Whitewood

9

While the celebration was going on, Lily dashed out to call her mother. She called her twice, but she did not answer, and then a car pulled up next to the door where Lily stood.

“What is the rush, young woman?” Lily’s mother yelled, and Lily turned off her phone to see her mother dressed in a stunning gown that glowed like a disco ball.

Freda got out of the car and dashed towards Lily.

“I know you are excited about Daniel being on top, but you can’t...”

Freda paused when she noticed Lily’s mascara-smudged face.

“What happened?”

“Gabriel,” she said, and Freda’s brow wrinkled.

Without asking questions, she grabbed Lily’s hand and marched into the hallway.

“For the past twenty-four hours, I was the poorest man on the streets. My in-laws kicked me out and used me as a dirt bag, among other things. If someone had told me I would be here giving this speech, I would have punched them in the face, but this is the best birthday I have had in my twenty-five years on this planet. Happy birthda