The Edge of Normalcy: Part 1

by angelkittysmith

We are experiencing our first somewhat normal summer in 3 years while continuing to work Saturday shifts for Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties while also doing some of our favorite outings around the community on Saturdays when we don't work. Many episodes of Liberty's Kids are used as references in the story. NOTE: I do NOT own Liberty's Kids. PBS Kids and DiC Entertainment do.

3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Ice Cream and the Museum

One cool final Saturday of May 2022, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri at Schenley Plaza for a few games and a bite to eat before our official outings. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. Games we played included the Stuffy Game, Super-Sized Sumo Wrestlers, Burglar Alarm, Junk Food Dishes, Commercial Game, Foil Makeover, Who is in the Bag, Blink, Sleepover Ball Game, Liar Liar, and Telephone. Then, we ate dinner at Five Guys prior to getting ice cream at Dave and Andy's for dessert. We also listened to the music of Santana while playing the games. For ice cream, I got my favorite vanilla ice cream cone with rainbow sprinkles, Sarah got pineapple orange sorbet in a cup, James got a cookies and cream ice cream cone, and Henri ordered a Fudge Brownie ice cream cone. "This is one of the best ice cream shops in Pittsburgh," I told my friends. "Who here remembers coming here during our ice cream intern 3 years ago?" "I do," Sarah replied. "I do, too," James added. "So do I," Henri chimed in. "I think we are good walking from the museum to here," James stated. "After all, I parked in the museum parking lot and we need our exercise!" "I remember when we were first looking for a car during your 16th birthday, James," Sarah pointed out, "and then we went to Pizza Hut for dinner in Cheswick, which sadly doesn't exist anymore!" "Neither does the Original Hot Dog Shop," I told my friends, "which is now a Viva Los Tacos." "I always used to love the Original Hot Dog Shop when I was in college," Henri pointed out. "I especially loved their French fries." "Well, at least we got good French fries at Five Guys," I told my friends. "The burgers and fries that we got at the Union Grill were pretty good too when we went to see the Nationality Rooms with our other friends," James pointed out. "The only difference is that Pizza Hut in Cheswick closed long before coronavirus hit us, while the Original Hot Dog Shop closed at least a month into the pandemic and now for 2 years," I told my friends. Then, we went into the museum and looked at the gifts in the gift shop, as we still had time before the presentation started. "Imagine if we had to wear all black clothes just to blend into the museum," I told my friends. "We're not at school, though, Angel," Sarah told me. "We're at the Carnegie Museum." "Workers at the museum have to wear all black, though," I pointed out. "The people at the presentation probably have to, as well." Then, we went into the Earth Theater to see the presentation for the night, which was We Are Nature: The Arts and the Anthrocopene featuring Asia Ward, Stuart Anderson, Shaun Slifer, and Michael Pisano, talking about climate change and how things would change over the next century. I got a little silly at the last presentation, though, and my friends had to prompt me to be quiet. When the event was over, it was time for all of us to go home. "Thanks for a great evening, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"