Chapter 13: Last Saturday in Garfield
One mild last Saturday of June 2023, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri as well as some of my other best friends Alex Russo, Justin Evans, Max Greenwald, Carly Shay, and Spencer Puckett, as well as Carly's stepdad, Freddie Benson, in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Garfield for a Last Saturday festival. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. While jamming out to Kate Bush and Lizzo, we composed a Childhood Chat in which twins Kaitlyn and Colleen Marioni discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2015 at 9 years old in the northern suburbs, Samantha Mifflin discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2017 at 7 years old in the southern suburbs, Lauren Bennett discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2018 at 9 years old in the western suburbs, Victoria Spurnick discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2019 at 18 years old in the eastern suburbs, and Emily Grey discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2020 at 11 and 12 years old in the northern suburbs. "I can't wait to do spas and makeovers in Moon Township like we did as kids and teenagers," Sarah happily stated. "Of course, just like with my hair and nails," I happily stated. "The movie night in Plum will be another fun thing for us to do, as long as we do not show an R-rated movie," Sarah continued, "although Beauty and the Beast was a great movie for us to watch last summer." "You had an evil boyfriend who took you to see an R-rated movie as a teenager," I told Sarah. "James, Henri, are there any specific spring and summer activities that you guys are looking forward to this year?" I asked. "I am looking forward to the scavenger hunt in Washington's Landing because it is one of my favorite everyday activities to do," James explained, "especially after our most recent scavenger hunt in the Strip District." "Same here," Henri happily agreed. "It is fun to look for different things in the city of Pittsburgh!" Our first stop was the Black Cat Market, in which we got to chat and play with cats. I accidentally got bit on the finger by one of the cats, Rainbow, due to rubbing his belly, which is something that he didn't like. I even talked about cats' private parts, which upset Alex. Then, we checked out the art galleries up and down Penn Avenue and finished the day with tacos from the taco truck. Then, while jamming out to NSYNC and 98 Degrees, we composed another Childhood Chat in which Emma Wallace discussed playing a video game in 5th grade in Bloomfield, Grace Luster discussed resting on her fuzzy pillow in preschool in Highland Park, Jennifer Preager discussed watching YouTube videos in 7th grade in Lawrenceville, Kayla Jennis discussed having a party with a science theme in 9th grade in Morningside, Brooke Leesaw discussed eating chocolate her sophomore year at Pitt in Point Breeze, Jessica Linden discussed taking a group photo at 18 years old in Regent Square, Sophia Cleng discussed sporting her new slippers at 13 years old in Squirrel Hill, and Isabella Black discussed eating doughnuts for breakfast at 14 years old in Stanton Heights. "I like living in the city of Pittsburgh because I don't have to worry about dealing with Valerie, who was not a nice person in my neighborhood," Carly stated. "I know that you guys drove up from Shady Avenue," I told Spencer and Mr. Benson. "That is on the Blue Belt, corresponding to the Disney movie Pocahontas." "That's cool," Spencer stated. "Yes, and I like being married to a new woman and having another stepdaughter," Mr. Benson stated. "Garfield is not a neighborhood that we hang in very frequently, although we are really enjoying this festival," Alex stated. "I am excited for those 2 girls from the first Childhood Chat to attend Music Support Group Academy next fall." "And, they are going to Disney World in May," Justin happily stated. "I liked the Epcot park the best because of the 11 countries in the World Showcase," Max stated. "I also remember our last year of band camp when we were honored with a senior band activity," Alex continued. "I do not like when you snapped at me in the Black Cat Market," I told Alex. "Well, you were being inappropriate and saying disgusting things," Alex told me. Once the festival was over, it was time for all of us to go home. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I told my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"