These birthday stories were written as the result of a challenge to seven writers to come up with stories using a single plotline.  The challenge started because one of the authors worried she couldn't write a certain story she had in mind because someone else had posted a story on a fanfic site using an idea similar to hers and she didn't want it to look like she was copying someone else's idea.  So a friend decided to show her how distinct stories by different authors would be even if based on identical plot ideas.   Some of these would be good enough to stand on their own for this site and in fact were posted on sites such as BBAB; others were written with some of the haste often seen when an author takes time out from her other work to write a story for a challenge.  We decided to post the stories here together as an interesting object lesson in diverse writing styles.  

The basic plot idea has Ben spending his birthday at the ranch without his sons.  He finds on his desk three wrapped gifts (unlabeled) and a bottle of brandy.   Below are the seven stories - listed alphabetically.  They range from the sentimental to the satirical to the ridiculous.  And they have a few things in common which were not part of the challenge - note how many of the authors thought Ben should be allowed to sleep late on his birthday.
 

Ben's Birthday --  Vickie Batzka

Ben’s Happy Birthday -- Susan Lynch

The Best Gift of All -- Becky Sims

Best Loved Son -- Randy S.

A Birthday of Sorts -- Karen Fedderly

More Than Memories -- Julie Jurkovich

To Pa, with Love -- Helen Adams

 

Plus a belated addition from Irish Lady Tahoe:

The Morning After -- Tahoe Lady Irish