THE CAMERA FILES

VIOLET

"Mom..." I muttered as the pictures appeared on the camera's file.

The smile on her face mirrored a thousand emotions.

Her smirk constantly appeared when she's dissatisfied and when she's forced to smile for a picture.

We barely have a photo together but, I'm surprised to see pictures of her holding me in her arms when I was a toddler.

Then, I open the only video on the file.

"Hey, Amanda! You have to face the camera. Violet... Violet... face here... Peck-a-boo!" I could hear Margaret's voice in the background.

"You take that out! My face is so oily and there's no way that you are recording me!" Mom glared her eyes, a warning sign that she could break the camera if she wished to.

"Oh, Com'on Amanda... It's Violet's 1st birthday! We should be celebrating! I wanted to record it for Violet to see in the future." Margaret continued recording while following her around, they are like wandering in a park.

"Ugh! I should have thrown away that camera when it was delivered last Christmas!" She exclaimed.

Her face was red like cherry tomatoes then added, "Stop recording me, Marga! Or else I'll throw that into the lake!" She's pointing at the water behind her but Margaret continued, "Yes, we should record it! Just this please..."

Then the camera is shaking with a hand covering the lens while a voice recording is in the background.

"Hey, stop it! You are breaking it, Amy! Could you just relax and enjoy the moment? We will never pass this moment again, you know! Violet will only celebrate her 1st birthday once, for crying out loud!"

Then the camera recorded back again.

"Alright, fine! This will be the first and last time to use that camera!"

A wooden picnic table showing a rainbow-colored cake with a candle on top and my complete name on the icing.

Besides the cake, there are paper plates, plastic cups and utensils, a small jar with orange juice on it, and a fruit basket.

Then mom let me seated on top of the table, beside my cake, then the camera stops its movement like it was settled on the table while recording.

Then, a younger version of Margaret appeared, who's wearing a rosy pink summer dress and a rainbow party hat. She's holding another party hat and she's trying to put it in my head for 15 minutes on the record. I'm a hyper as a baby trying to crawl towards the cake that makes the struggle.

"Hey, Violet! Come sweetie... Look at this, it matches your cake and your princess dress!" She took me in her arms while mom is not on the video.

Then, I'm making weird talking and tongue movements and raised my arms like a hint for Margaret to take me.

"Oh, Violet! Wait sweetie... I'll put this on your head first, okay?" Then, I started tapping my head with my hands.

Margaret quickly put on the party hat and it was successful.

Then the camera shakes like it's taken from the table, and the lens move closer to my toddler version of me.

"Hey, Amy! It's time for the birthday song and blowing the cake!" Then, mom appeared on the camera and approached my back holding me.

Then, they sang the happy birthday song and let me blow the candle after.

And the recording ended on the part where I'm smashing my cake in my little hands.

The video showed me more than I wanted to see.

That was the best birthday that I have that was recorded, and my tears brimmed in my eyes.

"Are you okay, Vi? Are you crying?" Dawson asked while staring at me beside him, we are on our way to the airport.

Browsing the camera's file makes my mind busy while on our 30 minute trip to the airport.

The recording of my 1-year-old version on my first and last birthday celebrated with mom makes me so emotional.

As far as I could remember, I was 5 years old, when I keep asking my mom to have a pool party on my 6th birthday. But she will state her favorite line, "Lady Violet Rose, we cannot do as you wanted. That cost a lot!"

And since then, Margaret always treats me in a pizza house during my birthdays except when I turned 18.

"Mom, could I have a dinner party for my 18th birthday?" I have been preparing that moment to ask her. I worked hard to save for a simple dinner celebration that day. She even forgot about it.

"So, you see... You do not need to do anything or pay any amount. I have saved some, and Margaret will help me set up everything and do the cooking." I'm very hopeful that she will say yes since it's my 18th birthday.

"Lady Violet Rose... I'm sick. I do not want people making noises inside the house." My world crashed down with so much disappointment with her reaction.

I silently cried on the couch while waiting for Margaret to come.

"Hey, Violet! Are you okay?" she wiped my tears away with her fingertips.

"Hush now... sweetie... Why won't you change your clothes, and we will go out for dinner? How about that?" I conceded just to take me out from the burning anger inside me caused by my parent on my birthday.

After 30 minutes drive. We arrived at a cozy restaurant, it's at the border of Smithson before, entering the Metropolitan City.

The signage outside the restaurant, "Welcome to The Resto Gate" makes my eyes bulge out.

This is the restaurant that I have constantly seen on my Facebook feeds that have great feedback on food and is well known for travelers as a homey place.

"Margaret, this is an expensive restaurant! I couldn't afford to pay for it but, maybe, I could share some with my savings."

"No sweetie... It's my treat! And before we get inside, I want you to close your eyes, okay?" Her excited expression in her voice makes me want to cry. I nodded and followed her. I'm trying my best not to cry.

Then, I heard the driver's door opened and after my door click as it opens.

"Keep your eyes closed, okay?" Margaret keeps reminding me as she helped me out of the car.

Then, we started walking. She was holding my hand and arms, leading me towards the restaurant.

"We will need to take five steps, okay... you have to follow what I say." I nodded while my eyes still closed.

"We are getting closer to the first step... alright..now step 5 inches high." Then, I stepped in.

"Great! Now, second step... alright now 3rd step...good! Next 4th step... Great job, Violet! Now, we are on the last step. That's it! Now, we need to walk inside, we're few steps to the entrance. You did well Violet! Now, stop." Then, I could feel her hands disengaged from me.

"Margaret?" I called out.

I could hear footsteps approaching me.

"Violet, you may open your eyes now!"

Then a loud "HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIOLET!" in unison was cheered by my friends and restaurant staff in uniform.

Then they started singing the happy birthday song.

My heart melted when I saw my best friend Nicole holding the colorful cake with a princess decor.

Then on her back is Dawson, Eleanor [my work mate], Liam [Nicole's younger brother], the twin Bridget, and Trudy [Dawson's cousins].

I'm speechless.

I have never thought that this will happen in my life that I will be celebrating my 18th birthday.

My tears show up from so much delight and happiness. We had a precious photo captured that moment and I always keep it inside my journal.

"Hey, Vi! Where here..." Dawson's is waving his hand in front of my face and pointed at the front gate of the airport.

I quickly turned the camera off then insert it into my backpack for safety.

He parked at the entrance gate, the building is a beautiful structure of glass.

Then my phone started ringing. I tap my phone screen and showing "Margaret".

"Hello, Margaret! Yes, we're at the entrance. Alright, I'll wait for you."

"Margaret will meet me in 10 minutes, they just arrived," I announced.

"Hey, Vi! I hope, you could visit again in Smithson. I will promise you that your portrait with your mom will be safe in my hands. I will wait until you come back and take it." He flashed his sweetest smile.

"Yes, I will. Thank you so much, Dee!"

"Can I get a friendly hug?" I nodded and removed my seat belt for me to move closer.

He opened his arms, and I quickly embraced him and disengaged right away.

"And your number?" He handed me his smartphone, and I quickly typed in my number.

"No, late-night calls, okay? Be sure to check the time before calling." I reminded him.

Dawson and I had been friends ever since his Dad and my mom were friends.

I have never given him my number because I do not want trouble with Darcy.

But now, since they're no longer in a relationship, then I guess, it's okay.

"Don't worry, I will never call late at night. I promise I will check the time difference." He raised his right hand like taking an oath.

Then, a knock on the window caught our attention, it's Margaret.

I opened the lock on the door, and I disembark from the car.

"Margaret!" She quickly hugs me and helps with my luggage and hand-carry.

"Is this all your bags?" I nodded.

"Alright, let's go! The plane is already waiting. Hey, Dawson! Thank you for sending off Violet." She waved her hand to Dawson and we bid goodbye.

After 10 minutes of walking, we are in front of a private plane with a name printed "QuesStar".

As we approached the stairs, we are welcome by the Captain, co-pilot, and two flight attendants, who helped us with my luggage.

"Welcome to QuesStar, Miss Stern!" The flight attendants greeted me with their friendliest smiles.

The interior decor and the leather seats speak of luxury in gold and silver.

There are only 4 seats and a sofa set, it reminded me of a movie scene where Billionaires enjoyed their trip.

"Violet, please seat down," Margaret whispered in my ears as she's standing at my back.

Then, she helped me settle down.

After 5 minutes, that the Captain announced our trip, then we take off.

The flight attendant gives us some blankets to make us feel comfortable, then asks us what food we would like to have, then handed us a menu.

"I'll just take a clubhouse and pineapple juice," I ordered as I handed back the menu.

"I'll take the same order." Margaret requested.

And while waiting for our food, I took the camera out and showing it to Margaret.

"Margaret, do you still remember this camera?" Her eyes were wide in surprise.

"Where did you get this? I thought it's already thrown away by Amanda!" She giggled.

"I found it her dresser, behind her clothes. And I saw my first birthday video. Thank you, Margaret, for all that you do."

"Aw, sweetie...I wanted to do that video for you to see as you grow old. That should be treasured memories."

My tears fall.

"Oh, please don't cry." She is trying to console me.

I'm always a crying baby when I'm reminded of a painful past of unwantedness.

"Excuse me, mam, here's your clubhouse and pineapple juice." The flight attendant interrupted us. And I quickly wiped my tears away.

"Thank you!" we responded in unison.

Then, we have silently eaten our meals.

"Can I see the video?" Margaret asked after our meal.

I handed her the camera, and she turned it on, browsing the files.

"Aw you are always a sweetheart, Violet... you are so cheeky in here. I always loved your giggles and your very smart character. That's why I do not want to miss your first birthday, not to record!"

"Margaret, can I ask you something?"

"Yes, what is it, sweetie?" She looked at me sternly.

"Who is Mr. Baron Evans in my mom's life? Are they in a relationship or something?" I'm trying to see her reaction, I might get something for connections.

"Oh, no dear! They are just good friends. We used to work together."

"Uhm..okay. Thank you!" I guess I need some time to discover things.

"Why are you asking?" She raised her brows, feeling curious.

"Nah, I'm just curious why he called. That's all!"

"Do not worry, he is a good man. You are safe with him. And I will be there for you."

"We better rest, and we will be there in England in 9 hours."

I nodded and closed my eyes, and drift off.