It had been almost fifteen years since Clay had been placed in an orphanage. And that day was his birthday. And to celebrate, his best friend, Miles, wanted to spice up the day a bit. Miles was a blond boy with disheveled hair. He always walked around in the same color of stuff. That is, usually a gray t-shirt and navy blue jeans. He took an exploding piece of chewing gum from some kid and tossed it to one of the teachers, Mrs. Smith, who happened to be on her way to her office. Mrs. Smith was a woman in her 60s wearing a gray and black dress. She was a little overweight and not very nice to the kids. And she hated Clay and Miles the most. Ever since they were toddlers, they played all kinds of pranks on her. And mostly when it was one of them's birthday. It was kind of a... a gift. Miles wanted Clay to be there for the joke, so he went for it, and then they hid behind the stairs and watched Mrs. Smith, the "old lady," enter the study. "Old woman" was Mrs. Smith's nickname. Miles made it up when they were 7 years old. As she walked inside, Miles began counting down:

-- Five,... four,... three,... two,... one... -- And then a terrible bang rang out throughout the building. Miles' plan had worked.

When they saw the teacher come out of her office with her face all rubbery, Clay and Miles started laughing. And she knew immediately whose handiwork it was.

-- Mitchell! Moorington! If I get you, you'll wish you'd been born! -- she looked around furiously, searching for those who had done this to her. 

-- Helena, what has happened to you? -- A long-haired middle-aged blonde woman appeared next to the angry "old woman". She could barely keep herself from laughing.

-- What do you think, Milene? Moorington and Mitchell. Again. You're supposed to keep an eye on your charges. So what, my whole face is in gum!

-- Don't get mad at them. They're just kids. They like to play pranks.

-- Especially me! They have taken advantage of me! -- screamed an angry Helena. -- and besides... they're almost of age. And they act like they're five years old!

-- I'll talk to them right away. Don't worry. They won't do the jokes anymore. I promise. And you better wash that gum off your face.

-- I hope so! -- Helena left to wash her face.

-- Clay? Miles? Can you come over here? -- Milene said softly, looking over to where they were hiding.

They emerged from behind the stairs and approached her slowly.

-- What do you have in your defense? -- she asked with a slight smile. She loved her charges like her own children, but she knew she couldn't keep making excuses for them.

-- It's my fault. -- Miles lowered his head. -- I was the one who talked Clay into it. And it was my idea.

They thought their teacher would be angry with them, but she just smiled and said:

-- Nice of you to admit it.

-- But it's my fault, too. -- Clay looked at Milene. -- Miles just wanted to surprise me. I could have knocked the idea out of his head, but...

-- Nothing happened. -- she interrupted him gently. -- But next time, please don't do things like that. I can't keep making excuses for you.

-- Okay. -- they said hurriedly.

Milene was already about to leave when she suddenly turned toward them and said:

-- Clay?

-- Yes?-- The boy looked at her as he and Miles were about to go upstairs.

-- Could you come with me?

-- Er... -- looked at his friend for a moment. He moved his shoulders in response. -- Okay. -- came down the stairs.

-- I'll wait for you upstairs. -- Miles looked at Clay, and when Clay nodded, he went upstairs.

Clay, on the other hand, went with the educator to her office. He sat down at his desk. She in her chair. She smiled at him, took some sort of envelope out of one of the drawers, placed it in front of him and said:

-- This is for you. A letter from your mother.

-- Mother? -- took the envelope, still looking at Milene.

-- Yes. Along with you, a piece of paper with your name and date of birth, there was also this envelope. In it is a letter to you.

-- Did you read it? -- he asked.

She looked into his blue, almost dark blue eyes and said:

-- No. It is for you. And while you think your mother gave you up because she didn't want you, I know that's not the case. Someone who leaves a baby in a basket, covered with a blanket, and still leaves a note, surely loves it. Only she must have had some reason to leave you.

-- Do you really think so?

-- Of course. And she probably watched me take you inside. She wanted to make sure you were in good hands.

-- But why only now?

-- On the note that your mother left on the second page was a request. Your mother wanted this letter to be given on your 15th birthday. That's today... so I'm giving it to you.

After talking to Milene, Clay went to his room, which he shared with Miles. He placed the envelope on the desk under the window. He sat down in a chair and looked at the envelope, wondering if he should open it. Miles stood next to him.

-- Not opening it? -- asked the blond man.

-- I just don't know. For so many years I thought my mother left me because she didn't want me. And now it turns out it might have been the other way around.

-- I'd open it and read it if I were you. You're the only one here with your own name, not one made up by your tutors. I would want to know why my parents left me. But probably because they didn't give a damn about me. They finally found me at the trashcan. -- suddenly his stomach started rumbling. -- I forgot to eat breakfast today. Okay. I'll go to the cafeteria while you think it over.

After Miles left, Clay took the letter in his hands. On the one hand, he wanted to open it. But on the other, he was afraid that what he would read in that letter might be much worse than what he thought it was.

After pondering for a while, he took a deep breath and opened the envelope. He took out the letter and began to read:

"Clay.
I've written this letter a thousand times. In this I hope to explain everything to you as well as I can.
You probably think that I left you because I didn't want you. That is not true.
When I found out I was pregnant, I wanted to jump to the ceiling with happiness. I really did. I was so happy. And the day you came into the world was the most beautiful day of my life.   When I saw you for the first time, fifteen years ago, when I saw those sweet blue eyes of yours smiling at me, I immediately loved you with all my heart. And I decided that I would never let anything bad happen to you. Never.
And I gave you up because you'd be safer at the orphanage than if you stayed with me. I'd rather have someone else take care of you than have you get hurt. You were in danger with me. What exactly, I can't tell you, but if it wasn't so dangerous, you would have stayed with me.
That's why I gave you up. When I left you at the orphanage door, I felt terrible. Like someone had ripped my heart out. But I know it was the only option.
And I'm sorry for that. And even though it's been fifteen whole years since then, all I can think about all the time is you. Whether I did the right thing.
I know it doesn't make up for what I did to you, but... there's something else in the envelope. A gift for you.
Happy birthday, Clay.

I'll always love you,

Mom."

Clay put the letter down and nearly cried.

He looked inside the envelope and saw that there was something at the bottom. He took it out and saw that it was a necklace. A chain with a falcon on it. He put it on and at the same moment Miles came back into the room. As the door opened, Clay turned toward them.

-- Came back. -- placed two large plates of food on the desk. Then he noticed the necklace around his friend's neck. -- What's that? -- he pointed to the necklace with the image of a falcon.

-- A birthday present. It was in an envelope along with a letter. -- explained.

-- So you opened it. And what?

-- It's hard to explain, so why don't you read it. -- handed Miles the letter.

-- Come on. It's yours. I'm not reading it.

-- But I'm letting you. Take it and read it. -- insisted the brunet.

-- Let you. -- Miles took the letter from Clay and sat down on the bunk bed.