September 8th, 1928

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, dear Jacob! Happy Birthday to you!" Mom smiled brightly as she placed a large chocolate cake on the oak table. 

Little Tommy crossed his arms. "Mommy, why can't I have a large chocolate cake just for me?"

Dad leaned over and ruffled his blonde hair. "Because, Tommy, Jacob is much older and also? You don't even like chocolate cake!"

The stubborn four-year-old scoffed; "Yes I do!"

"No you don't! Stop lying!" Jacob smiled at his younger brother. 

"How would you know? You know nothing about me!"

Jacob's grin grew bigger. "Really? I know that you used to wear Mom's dresses with makeup and pretend that you were Lillian Gish!"

"Hush," Mom lit seven candles. "Time to make a wish,"

"And blow out the candles," Dad echoed.

Jacob took a large breath in and blew out all of the candles as his entire family clapped.

"He's the spitting image of his father," Grandpa Smith smiled warmly at the brown-haired boy, a smoke in mouth. 

Aunt Margret tsk. "But less annoying,"

Dad frowned. "Really, Marge? I wasn't that annoying!"

Aunt Margret shook her head playfully at her older brother. "Really? When William came over to our house to celebrate the end of The Great War you taunted him!"

Jacob's ears listened to his family argue humorously.

"The Birthday Boy gets the biggest piece!" Mom handed me a large plate with a large piece of cake topped with a fair amount of vanilla icing.

...

After everyone else went home and the party's silverware and such was cleaned up, Jacob poked his head into Tommy's room.

"Tommy!" Jacob shook the little boy.

Tommy groggily leaned over. "What?"

"It's on!"

Instantly, he was alert.

Tip-toeing down the hardwood steps that lead downstairs, the two giggled softly.

Their parents were watching the popular TV-show called 'W3XK'. The two boys didn't know much about it, but their parents sure did.

"Look!" Tommy pointed a finger at the two adults.

"Ew!" Jacob winced. His mother and father were sharing a kiss. "Gross! I never want to do that!"

"No! Look in front of them!"

Sure enough, the TV was showing the actors laughing about some guy. The moving black and white pictures always fascinated Jacob.

...

"How...?" Jacob's brown eyes fluttered open. He awoke in his light blue room with a poster of The Great War Propaganda poster that his father got for him.

Stepping out of his room, he saw his mother going down the steps with a  basket of laundry. 

"Good morning, Jacob!" She gave him a smile. "How did you sleep?"

"Uh-"

Dad's hand touched his shoulder. "He slept fine. Jacob by accidentally fell asleep in the bathroom, silly boy."

Mom nodded. "Alright," She continued down the steps.

As soon as she was out of sight, Dad smirked at Jacob. "See? Your old man's got you covered. But next time when Mom tucks you into bed, you can't come down the stairs with Tommy, okay?"

"Okay!" 

"Pinky promise?" The blonde adult male stuck out a pinky.

Jacob hooked his pinky. "I promise."

"Good."

...

"Really, Jermy?" Mom sighed as she placed the coffee down on the table. "Your tie is knotted again,"

Jacob slaughtered butter onto his toast with jam and took a savoring bite. "Dad, your tie is always knotted!"

Dad laughed. "Well, what can I say? I'm a busy man, raising two kids and loving my beautiful and perfect wife,"

"Flattery will get you nowhere!" Mom scolded, a twinkle in her eyes. She handed Dad his lunch. "Have a great day at work!"

He gave her a deep kiss goodbye.

"EWW!!" Jacob and Tommy said in unison.

"Hush," Dad said. "Bye, boys. Make sure you pay attention in class!"

That said, he was off. The red Willys Overland Whippet 93A car dissapeared from sight moments after, taking Dad in its belly.

"You two best eat your breakfast fast," Mom said. "Your lunches are by your bookbags." 

After breakfast was finished and teeth were brushed, the two Smith boys walked down the road towards their school. 

Their dark uniform pristine and pressed and hair combed thoroughly, they strode down the road with purpose.

"Oi! Smith!" Michael McGraw from two blocks over ran up to the two. "How's it going?"

The main difference between the Smiths and McGraws was that their fathers did work in the same place, but Mr. Smith was Mr. McGraw's boss. In other words, the Smiths had more money.

But the two families were very friendly. Their mothers were best friends in Highschool along with their fathers.

Jacob and Michael were the second generations of best friends.

"Did you see W3XK?" Jacob asked excitedly.

Michael shook his head. "No, but happy late birthday!" With that said, the dark-haired male presented his best friend with a yo-yo. 

"Thanks!" 

"Hey! What about me?" Tommy complained.

Michael and Jacob shared a look. Tommy is always wanting more than what he has!

"Sorry, short-stuff! But on your birthday, I'll bring you something, alright?"

Tommy nodded. "You'd better,"

The three boys entered the schoolyard, only to see commotion.

"STOP THE FIGHT THIS INSTANT!"