A Birthday Surprise

[guitar_voodoo]

[For the Nexus Prompt: 2 - "Hey, I've always wanted one of these! Thanks!"]

Today was a special day for Mick Ronno. It was his twelfth birthday and he was waking up hoping for perhaps a pair of socks or a new pair of shoes maybe. His family didn't have money to spend on expensive presents like his friends did so he was grateful with whatever present his parents could afford to get him. Sometimes, his dad made him a present out of wood or whatever materials he happened to have in his shed at the time. Getting up, washed and dressed, Mick made his way downstairs where he could hear his parents talking at the dining room table where breakfast was already laid out.

There were a few envelopes on the table not opened of course since they were Mick's birthday cards and meant for him to open. Sliding into his usual seat his mother gave him a birthday kiss on his cheek which caused the blond to blush and wipe at his cheek a little.

"Happy birthday, Mick! How does it feel to be twelve? You're growing so fast these days it's hard to keep up."

He wasn't a little boy anymore and wanted to be treated like the other older kids. Yet, his parents loved their only son and would shower him with affection forever. Mick's attention was soon pulled over to where a large present sat on the table covered in brown paper. It almost looked like a---

"Happy birthday, son!"

Ted clapped his son on the back, just as Mick had begun to wonder what was inside the brown package. He was soon being poured a cup of tea and some toast with strawberry jam was now being placed on his empty plate. His favourite. Nibbling on his toast he began opening his birthday cards. Some from family and others from his school friends. This caused the blond to smile as he sat with his parents. But his real attention was on the brown package. Could it be what he had always wanted? What he dreamt of getting? It almost felt like a dream....

"We've got you a present, lad. Not just any old thing but something really special. We know you've wanted this for a long time so....go ahead. Open it."

His dad passed him the long brown package as Mick's eyes went wide as he began opening it carefully, pulling off the brown packaging piece by piece, glancing at what was inside. His heart nearly stopped when he saw a fret board and then the strings.

"Oh---"

Pulling off the rest of the paper in a hurry, Mick's heart beat began speeding up in anticipation as he finally pulled his present free. He nearly leapt out of his seat in pure joy. It was a guitar! A real guitar! A 1958 Gibson Les Paul. What he had always wanted! He placed it down carefully onto the table as he went to hug his dad and then his mum. He could have cried he was so happy.

"A guitar, a real guitar! A Gibson too---my favourite. Thanks, mum---dad....it's bloody fantastic!"

He picked up the guitar once more and placed the strap around his neck to give the strings a few plucks hearing the notes ring in his ears like silk. This was the happiest day in his life. His father wouldn't mention that it cost nearly a year's savings to afford one like this. Mick was their everything and he deserved it. Surely, he'd be able to get into music college once he left school.

"You'll be able to play in your room now and practice. That and be able to choose music as a career if you want. We know how good you are, love."

His mother offering some kind words to her son on his birthday. Mick would surely make it big one day in a local band perhaps. The point was that he was happy.