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　　“Hi, Mom, happy fiftieth birthday!”I heard my son, Brian, say as 　　1　　 as if he were sitting next to me．　　2　　 he wasn't．Brian was on the USS Kitty Hawk on maneuvers(大规模演习)　　3　　 between our U．S．shore and the Persian Gulf．

　　My party-loving friend, Denise, had 　　4　　 me out for a quiet fiftieth birthday celebration dinner．When we 　　5　　 at the restaurant, I scanned(扫视)the sea of 　　6　　, but didn't recognize anybody．

　　A wave of 　　7　　 washed over me, and tears welled in my eyes when 　　8　　 I heard Brian in my head．“Hi, Mom, happy fiftieth birthday．”“What's wrong?”Denise asked when she saw me dabbing(轻轻擦)at my 　　9　　．

　　“I think I've had too much wine．I keep 　　10　　 Brian wish me a happy birthday,”I said．She gave me a(n)　　11　　 smile．“Our table is ready,”she said, leading me toward the stairs．

　　I'd hardly sat down in the chair of honor when a 　　12　　 entered the room, carrying a sheet of cake．The firefighter 　　13　　 the cake on the table in front of me so I could 　　14　　 the fifty blazing candles．Once again I heard Brian speak,“Mom, be sure to 　　15　　 me a piece of cake．”This time he 　　16　　 very far away, but it seemed that he was just in front of me．I 　　17　　 in my chair．Was I losing my mind?

　　“I'll have some 　　18　　 as soon as I get this helmet(头盔)　　19　　,”the firefighter said．Every drop of blood in my veins flowed to my feet．He 　　20　　 his uniform and quickly pulled the helmet from his head．

　　“Brian!”

　　“Hi Mom．Happy fiftieth birthday!”