Chapter 1: Totally '80s Activities
One mildly warm third Saturday of July 2021, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri at the Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties office location in Ross Township for a Game Day. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. Some of the games we played included Charades, Scrabble, Sardines, an obstacle course, Murder in the Dark Game, Chubby Bunny Marshmallow Game, and Nail Polish Spin the Bottle. After our Game Day was over, we met some of my other best friends, Carly Shay and Spencer Puckett, as well as Carly's stepdad, Freddie Benson at client Rebecca Chase's house in Springdale. We ate cobb salad and potatoes for dinner, carrot cake for dessert, and beer to drink. "I already know some of the activities that I would like to do," Rebecca told all of us. "And, what exactly are those, Rebecca?" James asked. "Well, we are going to learn '80s dance moves, have a lip-syncing contest as well as an air guitar contest, play Pin the Glove on Michael Jackson, play '80s board games, and watch '80s movies," Rebecca told all of us. "Isn't Pin the Glove on Michael Jackson like Pin the Tail on the Donkey?" Spencer asked. "Yes, Spencer," Rebecca replied. "It is." "Then, I can certainly help out with that game," Spencer replied. "I love Pin the Tail on the Donkey." "What kind of board games are we going to play?" Mr. Benson asked. "Well, we are going to play games, like Twister, Pictionary, and Trivial Pursuit," Rebecca stated. "What about '80s movies?" Carly asked. "I am thinking that we could watch classic movies like The Breakfast Club, The Three Amigos, Pretty in Pink, Mystic Pizza, and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure," Rebecca replied. "I could be in charge of teaching '80s dance moves," James pointed out. "I could help out with the lip-syncing contest," Sarah stated. "And, I could help out with the air guitar contest," Henri stated. "That's funny," Rebecca pointed out. "Whenever I see you guys dancing and singing along to 'Into the Night' by Santana and Chad Kroeger, it is usually James who improvises the air guitar solo." "Yes, that's true," Henri stated. "But, I thought that maybe I could be in charge of that game, instead." "As for food, I am going to serve Pac-Man Cake for dessert," Rebecca told all of us. "That sounds yummy," Henri stated, licking his lips. "Are you going to serve anything else?" "I am actually thinking of snacks named after all of the '80s movies," Rebecca told us. "Like, Breakfast Club Sandwiches?" Sarah asked. "Three Amigos Salsa and Chips?" James asked. "Mystic Pizza Rolls?" Spencer asked. "Pretty in Pink Lemonade?" Carly asked. "Bill and Ted's Excellent Brownies?" Mr. Benson asked. "Yes, all of those snacks I will plan to serve," Rebecca stated. We then headed to Target in Harmarville for everything we needed for Rebecca's slumber party. Sarah, Carly, and I shopped for ingredients for the club sandwiches and lemonade, James and Spencer shopped for chips, salsa, and pizza rolls, while Henri and Mr. Benson shopped for ingredients for the Pac-Man Cake and brownies. Carly and her friends ordered the movies, the Michael Jackson poster, and the board games. "I am so glad that you are my new friend now, Spencer," James stated. "Well, don't you miss Carly's mom a little bit, James?" Spencer asked. "I do, but I have been single for so long that I was on the edge of having another girlfriend," James explained. "I particularly remember dating Phillis my freshman year of high school, and it wasn't a very long-lasting relationship." "I miss having you and Alex at the office in Monroeville, Sarah," Carly somberly stated. "How long is this supposed to last until?" "I am not entirely sure, Carly," Sarah replied. "It was like starting high school all over again, where I had no friends to spend time with," Carly continued. "Look on the bright side, Carly," I told my friend. "At least, we all still live together in the Hillrise Towers Condominium!" "Yes, that's true," Carly stated. "It's just not the same not doing group activities anymore!" "Why don't we play a game to take your mind off of things?" Sarah suggested. "Sure," Carly replied. "What game shall we play?" "How about charades with an '80s theme?" I happily suggested. "And, we can listen to all of our favorite music, like NSYNC and Santana!" "That sounds like a great idea," Sarah happily agreed. After our game was over, it was time for all of us to go home. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"