Off the Map

"I'll tell you the truth about my birthday," she said leaning in, "It's my least favorite day of the year. I've finally given up trying to make it better. It's not that I mind ageing, that's not the problem. I just hate the day. I am relieved when I wake up the next day and it's not my birthday. Since I am lucky to have many happy and downright euphoric days in a year I just figure this is part of the package. But if I could take November and December off the map I would."