Chapter 1: Board Game Day
One warm and rainy Saturday in May 2018, my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri met me at my mom's apartment in Highland Park. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "What game did you bring, James?" I asked James as he had a board game in his hand. "Try to guess," James encouraged me. "Let's see... is it Trivial Pursuit?" I guessed. "You're right, Angel," James agreed. "I know you brought that game because you and Henri love to play that game." "Yes, Angel," Henri agreed. "We do." "I also baked a cheesecake and juice for all of us to share," I pointed out. "Where do you have Scrabble at, Angel?" Sarah asked. "In my bedroom," I replied. "Wait here. I will go grab it and we can play together." While James and Henri played Trivial Pursuit, Sarah and I played Scrabble. "So, tell me more about your trip to Disney World, Sarah," I requested. "Sure," Sarah agreed. "You guys met your parents there, huh?" I asked. "Yes, and they liked bringing us to Disney World," Sarah replied. I sighed. "It seemed like only yesterday your parents were getting married at that beautiful church in Natrona Heights called the Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church. Did your parents go to Disney World for their honeymoon, or what?" "Of course, Angel," Sarah replied. "We wanted to let you know about that." Sarah also showed me pictures from her vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida with her and her stepbrothers splitting a dessert at the Texas Roadhouse, at Blizzard Beach, at Medieval Times, at the Magic Kingdom, at Universal's Islands of Adventure, at Disney Springs, at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and at Epcot. Sarah and I also decided not to keep score with Scrabble as we did not feel the need to compete against each other. Sarah also showed me some videos of Walt Disney World taken, such as her and her stepbrothers sliding down the waterslides at Blizzard Beach, the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Epcot, and even of the Highlands High School Varsity Marching Band performing at the Magic Kingdom and the Highlands High School Honors Choir and Variations Show Choir performing at Disney Springs. Sarah also took a bite of cheesecake. "Mmm, this is really good cheesecake, Angel," Sarah remarked. "Thanks, Sarah," I remarked. "It kind of reminds me of my parents' wedding cake, as well as the cake that James and I ate at our honors banquet." "I thought you said that you guys had fruit-flavored cake with vanilla frosting," I stated. "We did, and spaghetti and salad, as well," Sarah added. "Speaking of which, I am also glad that we arrived back home from Disney World in order to attend Alex Russo's birthday party at Lidia's." "Have you guys ever been to Lidia's before?" I asked Sarah. "Until last Saturday, no," Sarah replied. "What does Alex like about Lidia's?" "She likes their pasta tasting trio best," I replied. "The pasta trio included spaghetti with pomodoro sauce and meatballs, stuffed shells, and cavatappi with primavera sauce." "My favorite was the spaghetti and meatballs," Sarah replied. "I also thought that you, Carly, and Alex looked pretty on Saturday," I remarked. "Were those daisies or sunflowers on your dress?" "Daisies," Sarah replied. I also noticed that Sarah had daisies on her red blouse. "Are daisies your favorite flower?" Sarah asked. "Yes, they are," Sarah replied. "What is your favorite flower?" "I don't know," I replied. "It's hard to say." I actually got inspired to spell out a word on the board, and the word was "daisy". "Good game, Sarah," I complimented my best friend. "Thanks, Angel," Sarah replied. "You did a good job, too." Sarah and I gave each other a high five. "I'm just glad that we don't have a wedding or banquet today," Sarah continued. "Due to all the chaos with our Disney World vacation at the end of April and Alex's birthday celebration at the beginning of May." "When exactly did your mom and stepdad go to Disney World, Sarah?" I asked. "In September of 2002, just after they got married," Sarah replied. "I don't like living in Natrona Heights anymore." "I don't, either, Sarah," I agreed. "Just think of all the fun things that we have to do in the city of Pittsburgh this summer!" "There is not really much to do in the Freeport and Natrona Heights areas as in the city," Sarah explained. "I know how you feel," I agreed. "I feel the same way." My cat, Mattie was watching us. Sarah was petting her nicely. "Are you treating your cat better?" Sarah asked me. "I am working on it, Sarah," I told her. "She is just so cute that I want to pounce on her sometimes." "But you can't do that, Angel," Sarah told me. Pretty soon, it was time for my friends to leave. "Thanks for a great day, guys!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"