Chapter 3: Rockin' Invitations
One seasonably cool first Saturday of April 2021, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri, along with one of my other best friends, Carly Shay and her parents, Sam and Freddie, at Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties client Sarah Ching's house in Monroeville. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "By the way, happy birthday!" "Thanks," I replied. Since it was my birthday, I got to wear a special pin and get treated to a special banquet at the hotel next door after our session was over. Sarah C. was making her invitations out of rock concert tickets for her Rock Star Sleepover in 2 weeks. "Happy birthday, Angel!" Sarah C. wished me. "Thanks," I replied. "My birthday is not until June, so I have still got at least 2 months to go," Sarah C. explained. "Do you drive yet, or not, Sarah?" James asked. "I just recently got my driver's license, so now I can drive anywhere without having to rely on other people to drive me," Sarah C. explained. "So, you don't want us to help deliver your invitations?" Sarah asked. "No, I still do," Sarah C. replied. "That's part of your job, remember?" "I got my driver's license when I was 15 years old," James pointed out. "I would like to thank my dad for being a good teacher to me." "Happy birthday, Angel!" Carly wished me. "Thanks, Carly," I stated. "I find it cool that our birthdays are 11 days apart in the same month," Carly stated. "Spring is such a wonderful season in general! I have wonderful memories of one year in the springtime when I was exploring new things to do in the summer." "I also can't wait to have you, Sarah, and Alex move into the condominium in Squirrel Hill with me," I told Carly. "Sarah, do you think that we will be able to celebrate my birthday at work like we are celebrating Angel's today?" Carly asked. "I'm not sure, Carly," Sarah replied. "Your birthday falls on a Wednesday, and that is normally a travel day for the company." "So?" Carly asked. "That will make it even more fun, apparently!" "I still think that it will be hard to say good-bye to you, Mrs. Shay," James mournfully stated. "I am worried that I will never see you again." "You will still see me, James," Mrs. Shay assured. "Freddie and I will only be a street down, if you need us." "Do you think life will be more exciting if I reside with James in your old house on Darlington Avenue, Mr. Benson?" Henri asked. "It will be fun, Henri," Mr. Benson replied. "I haven't lived in Squirrel Hill since I graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in 2012," Henri explained. After Sarah C. was done making her invitations, we drove Sarah C. to deliver the invitations to her 4 guests Mia, Aurora, Leighton, and Claire. Then, we headed back to the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Monroeville for my birthday dinner, which consisted of stuffed chicken breast, sliced roast beef with mushroom gravy, pasta with marinara and alfredo sauces, roasted redskin baby parsley potatoes, green beans almandine, tossed salad, rolls with butter, and a very special birthday cake made with neon pink and blue frosting. I got some wonderful birthday cards and money from my friends to buy whatever I wanted. Of course, we got to hear the music of our favorite bands, Santana and NSYNC, at dinner prior to our evening Childhood Chat, where Sarah C. was the first client to speak, and it was about her discussing having a Netflix binge session in 1st grade in downtown Pittsburgh. We also heard from Brianna Shokoko discussing playing a video game in 8th grade in East Liberty, Grace Luster discussing learning a secret handshake at 4 years old in the North Side, Jennifer Preager discussing having a Pittsburgh Pride themed slumber party in 6th grade in Oakland, Brooke Leesaw taking a group photo in 12th grade in Shadyside, and Jessica Linden having a photo shoot in 10th grade in the North Side. Once our banquet was over, Sarah, James, and Henri drove me back to my mom's apartment in Highland Park. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"