it was his birthday, the double digits birthday that every kid dreams of.

he was finally ten years old.

he could smell pancakes coming from the kitchen, and he ran straight out of bed and to his mother, hugging her tightly.

they never had pancakes unless it was his birthday.

she turned around and hugged him back, kissing the top of his head lovingly, a sweet smile on her once beautiful face.

when he saw her face he couldn't help but gasp, a jagged cut running along her cheek.

"mommy....he hurt you." he whispered, and she looked both ways before she nodded, pressing another kiss to his forehead, silently warning him to stay quiet.

the two of them ate pancakes together silently, though they both had smiles on their faces that they couldn't hide.

the moment the last crumbs were gone, his mother immediately washed all of the dishes and silverware they had used, knowing his father could never find out about this.

he offered to help, but she only smiled and reminded him that it was his special day, and to go and play with his friends.

so he did.

and while they never spoke of that day again, they always remembered that day fondly.