On the walk back home, Jared skimmed his camera's gallery, happy with how his pictures turned out. He flipped through the shots he took at the Morris Arboretum, his new favorite place in town. A tranquil escape from the noise of the city. There were the lion heads spitting water down the Step Fountain. The pecking wildlife in the garden ponds. The diverse collection of tall, gnarled, sprawling and bare trees. Most of the shots were of the weathered architectures that survived the test of time like the mossy roofed Log Cabin and the wheeled Pump House, extending their longevity through the frozen hourglass of a photo. Still, just like memories, even photographs would fade away.

Reaching the apartments, he snapped the people he passed by. Most of them were too busy to notice their picture was being taken. Their eyes on their phones and smart watches. Others were lost in deep and meaningful conversations about an argument on Saywhatdotcom. Those moments told the best stories. He framed the shot of two friends walking by capturing the gesturing hands of the speaker, her eyes wild with confusion, and the amusing look of boredom on the listener's face. A perfect depiction of the world they lived in.

He climbed the front steps of Crossing Oaks and noticed the same girl who nearly ran into him on his first day following behind. He was beginning to think that pout on her face was permanent. He turned and pointed the camera at her. "Smile."

Her brows wrinkled together. Jared smiled. "Much better." He took the shot. The girl shook her head as she entered the building before him.

Inside, Madison crossed the lobby, also looking like a cloud was dumped over her head. Jared focused on her. "A smile for the paparazzi?" She gave him a look that read, "Beat it." He snapped it anyway before she marched down the recreational branch. He glanced at the photo, which emoted every bit of irritation he sensed from her. "Perfect."

Straight ahead, Ashlee confronted the pouty girl who waved her off with an "I'm fine" and headed for the elevators. If that was "fine," he'd hate to see her on a bad day.

Jared approached Ashlee who seemed bummed by the girl's dismissal and not sure of whether or not she should go after her. Jared took her picture.

Just now realizing he was there, Ashlee smiled at him. It was a cute smile. Sort of like when you hand a kid one of those giant, spiraling lollipops. She was an easy subject. "What are you doing?"

Jared took another shot. "Capturing the only sunny face of the day. Seriously, look at all of this doom and gloom." He showed her the photos.

Ashlee shook her head. "I don't know. I guess it's just one of those days. What about you? How is the birthday boy enjoying his day?"

Jared occupied himself by clicking back and forth through the pictures. Preferring an alternative subject. "I don't really celebrate my birthday anymore."

He might as well have told her he was a breatharian by her display of shock and disbelief. "You don't do anything? Cake? Birthday wishes?"

Jared shut off his camera on his own brooding selfie. "Are both replaced with sulking in self-pity while watching bad television."

Ashlee fiddled with her fingers, shifting from foot to foot. "Would you like some company?"

Bad idea. That was his first thought. Even only as a friend, he had his reservations. But then again, it would beat being at home alone. On the day he claimed didn't mean anything to him. On some level, he acknowledged the boy inside him who longed for someone to care that he had been born. "I don't know. I mean, the shows get really horrific. Cringe-worthy."

"The cringier the better," Ashlee said grinning. She was actually looking forward to it. "I could use a laugh."

The feeling was mutual. Why deprive a fellow famished soul of comic relief? "Right this way to the torture chamber."

***

Madison played back the song she recorded as she left the Green Tea Lounge. That felt good, getting it all off her chest. Letting her emotions leak into her phone before they burst into tears. It helped a little, freely belting out what she felt, not holding back, but in the end, she was still confused. Did she really want to do this alone? And if came down to it, would it be worth losing Nathan?

Stepping out into the hall, she saw a big, fluffy, yellow and orange chipmunk exiting the Sunny Roots Daycare Center.

"Okay, kids," the chipmunk said in a squeaky yet clearly male voice. "Charity will see you guys next time." The kids bounced, waved and shouted their goodbyes as Charity carefully closed the door. Safely out of their sight, his yellow paws reached up and took off his giant head. Adam brushed his sweaty hair off his face and stopped when he saw Madison.

Madison pulled out her earplugs, stifling a giggle. "Charity?"

Adam awkwardly stuck his chipmunk head under his arm. "It was the first name that came to mind on short notice."

Madison took a moment to gather all of this information. "Kickboxing bartender by day, furry creature by night. You, my friend, are quite the wild-card."

Adam winced like he'd been hit in the face. "It's a lot more embarrassing when you say it out loud."

He had nothing to be ashamed about. Did he see the way those kids were jumping around like Christmas morning? They loved him. He was doing a good thing here. Making a difference. "I think it's sweet. Any job that puts a smile on someone's face is a good one. Putting smiles on kids' faces? Bonus points."

Adam showed his own smile and there was something in his eyes Madison couldn't place. "That makes it a little less embarrassing."

Madison ruffled the chipmunks orange, furry Mohawk. It was pretty adorable, actually. Big round cheeks, an eternal grin, and an amazing explorer's outfit straight out of a children's book. Those boots really took the cake. "So is this a full-time gig?"

"Birthdays exclusively." He stood taller. "I do have my dignity."

Madison laughed and observed the plastic satchel of multi-colored balloons attached to his waist. "How are your balloon animals."

Adam knocked on Charity's head. "You are in for a treat." 

***

This is dedicated to CountEveryMoment and @mira_mars. Thanks for your interactive suggestions! They made the story even greater:)

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned!

-Love Charly