Chapter 7: Science Center Activities
One hot second Saturday of August 2023, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri along with some of my other best friends Carly Shay and Spencer Puckett, as well as Carly's stepdad, Freddie Benson, at Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties client Hannah Carson's apartment in Point Breeze. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. Hannah discussed having special crescent sandwiches for dinner and dirt pudding for dessert, along with designing toothbrushes for the toothbrush holders and seeing a movie embracing the summertime. After our brief meet-up with Hannah Carson, we each composed a Childhood Chat. While jamming out to Kate Bush, Sarah, James, Henri, and I chatted with Natalie Bay about eating popcorn in 6th grade in Bloomfield, Samantha Mifflin about playing a board game at 3 years old in Highland Park, Sarah Ching about sporting new socks in 5th grade in Lawrenceville, Grace Luster about drinking fruit punch in 2nd grade in Morningside, Jennifer Preager about dancing to music in 9th grade in Point Breeze, Kayla Jennis about sleeping in total darkness at the end of 11th grade in Regent Square, Brooke Leesaw about sporting a new nightgown at 22 years old in Squirrel Hill, and Jessica Linden about telling a silly story at 20 years old in Stanton Heights. "I wonder if these girls are interested in seeing a football game," Henri stated, "because with a sleepover at the Science Center next week, we may run into football camp at Heinz Field, now Acrisure Stadium!" "I don't think that they usually have football camp at night, Henri," James pointed out. "If they did, would you get us free tickets?" Henri asked. "It looks like we may have to play football in our backyard yet again, just like we did as kids," Henri stated. "I just think that it will be a great sleepover, nevertheless," Sarah stated. "Hannah and her friends can embrace their girl power! Then, while jamming out to NSYNC, Carly, Spencer, Mr. Benson, and I composed another Childhood Chat in which Julia Robison discussed playing a board game in 5th grade in downtown Pittsburgh, Rachel Luster discussed sporting new socks in 1st grade in East Liberty, Lauren Bennett discussed doing makeovers in 3rd grade in the North Side, Victoria Spurnick discussed sleeping in total darkness in 2nd grade in Oakland, Emily Grey discussed sporting a new nightgown in 5th grade in Shadyside, and Hannah Mifflin discussed telling a silly story at 15 years old in the South Side. "I wish that I could be a part of these Childhood Chats," Carly happily stated. "Those are just for clients, Carly," Spencer pointed out. "What is the point, anyway?" Mr. Benson asked. "Employees have childhood memories, too, not just clients," Carly pointed out. "I want to talk about the time I went to summer camp and learned new activities. For goodness sakes, our client Rachel is writing down what she remembers from the spring and summer activities!" "We had that once during the pandemic, Carly," I pointed out. Then, we played an icebreaker game in which Beth navigated her way from Highland Park to downtown Pittsburgh, Hannah navigated her way from Lawrenceville to East Liberty, Kaitlyn navigated her way from Regent Square to Oakland, Colleen navigated her way from Squirrel Hill to Shadyside, and Ashley navigated her way from Stanton Heights to the South Side. Once that was over, it was time for all of us to leave. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"