Chapter 9: The Science Center Sleepover
One cool 3rd Saturday of August 2023, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri along with some of my other childhood friends Carly Shay and Spencer Puckett, as well as Carly's stepdad, Freddie Benson, at the docks in Station Square for a boat tour on the Gateway Clipper. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. We jammed out to Kate Bush and NSYNC on the boat ride with our client Hannah Carson and her friends Kaitlyn and Colleen Chastice, Ashley Thistle, and Beth Henning. To our surprise, an old friend of Sarah's, Deborah, was also on the boat ride. Deborah was the one who encouraged Sarah to do better on her Earth Day project due to failing. "I remember when I turned 10 years old almost 2 decades ago, and went to downtown Pittsburgh to celebrate, Mr. Benson," Henri stated. "That's great, Henri," Mr. Benson stated. "It has been a long time since my 10th birthday!" "I don't want summer to end, Spencer," James glumly stated. "This has been one of the best summers ever!" "Nobody wants summer to end, James," Spencer agreed. "But, it will be back next year!" "This was a unique summer because you turned 30 years old and I turned 35 years old," James told Spencer. After the boat ride was over, we went shopping at Station Square before taking the T over to the Carnegie Science Center for Hannah's birthday sleepover. Activities at the sleepover included touring the Vikings exhibit, viewing a movie at the IMAX exhibit, decorating toothbrushes for toothbrush holders, and even making crescent roll sandwiches to eat for a midnight snack. "Sarah, I have to say that this summer has been one of the best," Carly happily stated. "That's great, Carly," Sarah happily agreed. "I remember when I was visiting Angel up at Edinboro University for pizza and ice cream," Carly continued. "This month is actually becoming like 2009 weather-wise," I told my friends. "My senior year of high school and Carly's sophomore year of high school." "So glad to hear that this has been a great summer for you girls," Sarah happily agreed. Pretty soon, it was time for all of us to go to bed. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"
