by Amy Black

It was my tenth birthday. The day before my father had promised me a ten speed bicycle. I had wanted a ten speed ever since I was tall enough for my feet to reach the pedals. So, when he told me he would give me one for my birthday, I was excited.

My mother, who had divorced him a year earlier, knew he had a tendency to lie. Since she loved me, she didn't want me to get my hopes up. She knew if he lied that I would get hurt. The thing was I knew that he lied a lot, but I still wanted to believe him.

The day finally arrived. My birthday was here and I knew that if he was going to visit me, it would be directly after school, just as always. I was looking forward to going home because I knew I would get my bike. I waited all day through school. My friends would come up to me and wish me a happy birthday, and I would tell them I was going to get a ten speed, which at that age was a big deal.

Finally, school was over. I went outside and got into my mom's car. She gave me this huge smile, hugged me and wished me a happy birthday. She asked me if I was excited about my birthday party. I hadn't even thought about that. I was too excited about my bike.

Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore. I asked her if dad brought my bike. She hesitated and looked sad. I knew then that he didn't. I started crying. Mom kept telling me things would be ok. But I was so disappointed and angry. Why did he lie to me, on my birthday?

We got home and went inside. Mom told me to look in my bedroom. So, I did and there it was a beautiful blue ten speed bicycle. I was speechless. How did the bike get here? I looked at my mom, and with happy tears in her eyes, she said that she knew in her heart that my dad wouldn't come through for me.

My mother didn't want me to be to feel as I would always be let down, and she made a huge sacrifice for me. She used the light bill money to buy my bike. Although we didn't have much money back then, she still wanted me to have my bike. She sacrificed the lights for a month, so I could have one.