13 March 2026, Freewriters Community Daily Writing Prompt Day 3041: obligation to do nothing today
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you … .”
Vanna Trent at last turned 18 years old, and all the Trents and local Stepforths, Jubilees, Ludlows, and Lees were singing as they came to celebrate with her.
“So tell us a little about becoming an adult – how does it feel?” her nine-year-old cousin Vertran Stepforth said after filming the whole party for the family.
“Weird,” Vanna said. “Lotta ups and downs on this long journey. A lot of people are here that I didn't expect – Capt. Ludlow going down to that E1 to hold down that big ending y'all all did on 'Happy Birthday' is one of those things I could have never seen coming. But a lot of my friends didn't even call, and I guess they just aren't coming with me into this stage of my life. I'm doing college online at W&L and running a whole business, and so I'm having the success we all said we wanted … but I'm the only one coming into adulthood actually getting there although the setup was big enough for all of us.”
“Yeah, Pop-Pop woulda set everybody up, that's for sure,” Vertran said. “There are so many thousandaire friends of the family out there getting it – but you know what they say, Vanna. Age ain't nothin' but a number. I'm half your age and grown enough to get to it. Everybody ain't able, and sometimes, everybody ain't willing.”
“Look at you sounding like Pop-Pop, old man,” Vanna said.
“Well, yeah, I'm Pop-Pop's twin the way Rob next door is his grandfather's twin too – it just is what it is. I'm able and willing. So are you. Let's get it, Vanna – I mean, maybe not today because it is your birthday and Uncle Vincent is about to get that barbecue done for dinner.”
“Yeah, I am enjoying the obligation to do nothing today – I have the rest of my life to be a responsible adult,” Vanna said. “I see why Grandma Jubilee said don't rush getting here, because being an adult is practically forever.”
“Yeah, I'm definitely getting the most of living at other people's houses and not paying rent anywhere,” Vertran said. “Get to be about 16 as a boy and all that is definitely over. Got to make the most of it as a child.”
“Yeah, Tom sure did find out the hard way,” Vanna said.
“But made the most of it,” Vertran said. “Tom is one of the most heard journalists in the country because of his work on the Bayard Heights thing. He's out here getting it on a higher level!”
“Yeah, if your dad was my dad and having PTSD flashbacks that I caused by blowing up y'all's kitchen, I'd be doing that too – it's called self-preservation,” Vanna said.
“Yep,” Vertran said. “I got some cool interviews with the local fire department out of that, so, it turned out all right in the end. The new kitchen looks real nice, too – Tom did the darn thing and paid for it already!”
“Meaning he gets to keep his checks now – great!” Vanna said.
“Yep,” Vertran said. “The main thing is, he's going to live to see his 18th birthday now, and that makes me glad. He's my big brother, and, I love filming birthday parties.”
“I can't wait to see your edit on mine!” Vanna said.
“I gotta get some barbecue eating shots to add with it,” Vertran said, “so I'll have it to you after the weekend.”