from Russell Hoban's A Birthday For Frances

Frances was in the broom closet, singing:

Happy Thursday to you,
Happy Thursday to you,
Happy Thursday, dear Alice,
Happy Thursday to you.

'Who is Alice?' asked Mother.

'Alice is somebody that nobody can see,' said Frances. 'And that is why she does not have a birthday. So I am singing Happy Thursday to her.'

'Today is Friday,' said Mother.

'It is Thursday for Alice,' said Frances. 'Alice will not have h-r-n-d, and she will not have g-k-l-s. But we are singing together.'

'What are h-r-n-d and g-k-l-s?' asked Mother.

'Cake and candy. I thought you could spell,' said Frances.

'I am sure that Alice will have cake and candy on her birthday,' said Mother.

'But Alice does not have a birthday,' said Frances.

'Yes, she does,' said Mother. 'Even if nobody can see her, Alice has one birthday every year, and so do you. Your birthday is two months from now. Then you will be the birthday girl. But tomorrow is Gloria's birthday, and she will be the birthday girl.'

'That's how it is, Alice,' said Frances. 'Your birthday is always the one that is not now.'