Chapter 1: Eye Mask Invitations
One seasonably chilly second Saturday of January 2021, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri at Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties client Vanessa Peters's house in Oakmont. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. Vanessa was making her Eye Mask invitations to her Traditional Sleepover in 2 weeks. We sat down to eat lunch, which was cobb salad and cupcakes. "Well, guys, we are getting closer to the 20th anniversary of our friendship," I told my friends. "20 years already?" James asked. "How could that be?" "It doesn't feel like that long," Henri stated. "You know, when your parents got married at the Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church, and we all met each other for the first time," I told everyone. "Oh yeah," Sarah agreed. "I will always remember that day." "Did you know that I come from a blended family, too?" Vanessa asked. "No, I didn't know that," I replied. "It's true," Vanessa stated. "I am the middle child of my family. I grew up living with my mom who married my dad and has two sons, Mitchell and Joseph, who are my two stepbrothers. We are all 2 years apart, just like you guys are. I am the middle daughter of the family, just like you, Sarah." "How cool is that?" Sarah asked. "I also think that it is cool that your hometown is in Westmoreland County," James stated. "Just east of Allegheny County." "Of course, it is important that we stay in Allegheny County, in which it is more convenient for me to take buses," I pointed out. "What was one of your favorite memories of high school?" Sarah asked. "I liked all the honors banquets, awards ceremonies, proms, and graduation ceremonies that I went to," Vanessa stated. "My senior year was hands-down my best year of high school!" "Same here," I agreed. "There was one honors banquet that Sarah and I were honored at, and it was very amazing," James stated. "Except the food was not all that great to eat, in my opinion," Henri stated. "Until I realized that it was spaghetti and salad." "The bad news is that my mom recently tested positive for the coronavirus, so I am staying with my mentor, Jenna and her boyfriend and his siblings until Mom gets better," I told my friends. "Oh no!" Sarah exclaimed. "I am so sorry to hear that." "The good news is that we get to listen to Santana every weekend together in the car," I added. "I know you guys would love that!" "Of course we do, Angel," James replied. "A lot of their songs are epic and awesome!" Then, we drove Vanessa to help deliver the invitations to her 4 guests Brianna, Brooke, Erica, and Lexi. "This coronavirus is really bothering me, guys," I stated. "Is this your first year living in Oakmont, or what, Vanessa?" "As a matter of fact, it is," Vanessa replied. "I moved here when I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University last year, and it unfortunately was not a typical graduation because of the coronavirus outbreak!" "We know how you feel, Vanessa," Sarah agreed. After our shift was over, Sarah, James, and Henri drove me back to my mentor, Jenna's apartment in Point Breeze. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"