#it doesn't really change my hc that that's his mum's history

[ofyorkshire]

— BIRTHDAY

Barry James Anderson was born the 19th of November, 1958, a Wednesday, to a single mother in Yorkshire, England. His mother had been a factory worker for a while until mass layoffs forced her into unemployment. Like many other women in her position, she turned to sex work to make ends meet; Barry James' father was one of her clients, and never part of her or their son's life.

They didn't have much, but his mother always put a little money back to buy something for BJ's birthday. Usually it was sweets or rare day trips. One of his favorite memories being sharing a box of chocolate cordials and a bottle of ginger beer with her, tucked under a big blanket fort he'd made in their living room. Birthdays with his mother were simple, but well-cherished even long after becoming bitter toward her.

Later birthdays with Reverend Laws were also celebrated, usually with spendier gifts of toys, cake, and ice cream, but he holds very little fondness for them, sensing even at a young age that these were transactional. Laws' birthday presents always felt more like rewards for good behavior; they were conditional, transient things that could be easily ripped away, rather than something given out of real affection or celebration.

With Clare, birthdays were similar to birthdays with his mum, and something he always looked forward to. Often they celebrated at their favorite cafe, or quietly in BJ's flat, getting drunk and giggling over sweets.

Post-1983, BJ still prefers not to make a big to-do out of his birthday. He appreciates the recognition, but is uncomfortable with big parties or grand displays except one-on-one. It's really the attention of a crowd that bothers him rather than the celebration itself, and he prefers doing things in small groups, or with a singular friend. Anything greater makes him feel watched and stressed out. He'd like to outgrow this, though, and become more comfortable as he feels he's missing out on something by not enjoying big parties.