A Royal Decree

"You know my birthday is coming up soon?" Melanie asked. "I'm going to be 18."

"Is it? I hadn't really been paying attention." I responded, sarcastically. "Let's not talk about your age, it just makes me feel old."

"Are you going to write a special birthday blogpost to me like you did when I turned 16? I think that would be a fantastic birthday present. You should do that. Or you could buy me..." She rattled off a rather long list.

A few weeks later....


"I've been reading your blogposts. They're not very interesting since you don't mention me once in any of them. My birthday is coming soon and you have to write something 100% devoted to me, your favorite sister."

"You're my only sister." I pointed out.

"Exactly! That's why you need to talk about me! The world needs to know how special I am."

Three days ago....


"My birthday is in a week. Just thought you should know since you have a deadline approaching to write about me."

I rolled my eyes at her.

"Don't roll your eyes at me! I can see you, you know. That's the whole point of Skype: to see each other when we're talking. You need to write a special birthday blog; I only turn 18 once."

I fear I have set a precedent for future birthdays and egomaniacal demands.