Chapter 12

"Happy birthday, babe!" Eddy chimed in following Lee's discovery.

"So!" Lee exclaimed. "You all went behind my back and planned a party!?"

"We just wanted to do something nice for you for everything you've done for us," May told her redheaded sister.

"Lindsay helped us with the cake and decorations!" Marie chimed in.

"I sent out the invitations," Ed replied.

"That's right, I got Ed and Double Dee to help!" said Eddy.

"Lee, I must add that while I was against going behind your back, everyone's intentions were as pure as Ivory soap," Double Dee intoned.

Lee, though annoyed a surprise party was planned despite her objections, was surprisingly calm in delivering a response.

"Ah, I knew all along you all would plan something for me. I'm honestly surprised Marie would work with Lindsay to make it happen!" said Lee.

"I can't take the credit for the decorations, LeeLee! Marie and her amazing designs saved the day," Lindsay replied.

"Thanks, Lindsay," a surprised Marie responded.

"Listen, Lee," Eddy finally spoke up, "I know you said you didn't want a party, but we all just really wanted to do something nice for you. If you're gonna rip anybody's head off, it should be me. I'm the one who thought it would be fun to invite everyone from the cul-de-sac."

"I'm not mad, Eddy," Lee replied.

Eddy was shocked, as were the other party attendees.

"You're not!?" Eddy asked in disbelief.

"Nah," said Lee. "I mean, I am kind of annoyed this all went on without my permission, but as Double Dee said, your intentions were good."

Lee then smiled as she faced everyone.

"Tell ya what, I gotta go to 'the head' and freshen up, then when I come back, we're gonna party hearty!"

Lee then turned to her boyfriend with a wink before leaning into his face.

"And then we can have our dessert!" Lee told Eddy, after which she giggled.

With that, Lee retreated upstairs, her high-heeled boots clicking with each step, a sound that was music to Eddy's ears.

The entire party stood, dumbfounded by what they had just witnessed.

"Wow!" exclaimed May. "Lee didn't seem upset at all!"

"Yeah," Marie replied. "I expected a bomb to go off or something!"

"What's 'the head?'" Ed asked. "Does Lee keep a shrunken head in her room? I wanna see it!"

"No, Ed," Tabby replied. "It's what Annalee calls our bathroom. That's a story for another party!"

Having witnessed Lee's surprisingly calm demeanor, Tabby couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She turned to Rod.

"Say, Roddy, why don't you take the kids outside and give them one of your fun demonstrations on fire safety while I clean up the mess in the kitchen?" Tabby asked her husband.

"Sure thing, Tab!" Rod replied. "C'mon kids, let's go outside!"

The kids groaned at the prospect of anything educational happening at what was supposed to be a fun party. Accordingly, they complained and murmured.

"Rolf would have more fun shaving Nana's back," Rolf opined.

"What a dorkfest," an annoyed Kevin muttered.

Meanwhile, Lee had not gone to the bathroom after all, but rather to her bedroom. She was currently lying face down on her bed, crying her eyes out. Lee was, unfortunately, in the midst of an anxiety attack. The voices in her head had reared their ugly heads and were filling her thoughts:

Do they really love you?

Does Eddy really love you?

Does Lindsay really want to be your friend?

Did you really do everything you could for your sisters?

Does your family really appreciate you?

Or do they just feel sorry for you?

Do you really deserve any of it?

Are you OK?

These questions were spinning around Lee's head in rapid succession. After several minutes of this torture, Lee reached for her phone with tears streaming down her face. In desperation, Lee scrolled through her contacts for the number of Dr. Sheehan, her therapist. After dialing the number, Lee heard the phone ring three times before hearing the voice of the individual she expected to hear from.