I found the notebook with this story while looking for something else.
A one-shot with borrowed characters and probably some spelling errors. I blame Grammarly.
A Birthday Party
Another New Years Eve gone by. No glorious gown, no bubbly Champagne, no rowdy crowd or exploding fireworks. No New Years kiss with a wish for a better year. Instead, there is the near silence I've grown used to. Rex II is still running his marathon, the humming of the fridge and the content sigh of a sleeping baby.
His birthday is in two days. My beautiful baby boy will be two years old. They say it's when the tantrums start, the "Terrible Two's". I don't believe them. He's a happy baby, always smiling, laughing, talking, and doing silly things. He's like an energizer bunny, always on the go.
There's sounds of rustling sheets, I turn around and leave my seat on the windowsill. My quiet place, for daydreaming and reflection. I walk over to his bed and stroke his soft curly hair. His cheeks are warm of sleep and his mouth is slightly open. Those soft and full lips he inherited from his father.
There's a soft knock on the door, it's Gabriella, my next-door neighbor. She babysits while I work. Gabby is a retired nurse, so I know my baby is in good hands.
"Buenos Dias Estefania"
"Buenos Dias Gabriella. Come on in, he's still sleeping, but I think not for much longer."
We walk into the kitchen, and I start the coffee and Gabby starts making breakfast.
"Go, take a shower or you'll be late. I'll finish up here."
Grateful for her words I step into my shower. It's a far cry from the mustard yellow and brown seventies bathroom in my previous life. I say life because it seems like a lifetime ago that I left Trenton, my family, friends, and crappy job.
Almost three years ago, my life as I knew it, ended. It was the day I found out I was pregnant. I had a brief moment of panic, staring at the white stick with the pink lines in the little window. But then a sense of joy, of utter happiness washed over me. I was pregnant! I was going to have a baby! Something to love, to have, and to hold. All by myself. That thought saddened me a bit. Because I knew I was in this all by myself. The father was a one-night stand at a wedding where we both had had a bit too much to drink. I don't regret it though. It was one of the most wonderful nights I've ever had, certainly, the sex was the best I've ever had.
"Stephanie," I said to myself "it's time to put on the Big Girl panties and grow up." So, I did.
The first thing to do was to find out if the job offer I've gotten was still valid. I knew it wasn't fair to start a new job and then leave to have a baby six months later, but they told me no matter what, I'd always have a job with them. So, with the security of a steady, well-paying job I set out to hunt for a place to live. I found the most charming two-bedroom apartment in a converted mansion. There were three other apartments with a closed courtyard in the center. The house was a sunkissed shade of orange with a detached four-car garage. The courtyard was cozy with lush evergreens, large blooming bushes, seating both in the sun and shade, and a small water feature. Two of the apartments were occupied by a retired couple and the third by a single mom with a teenage boy. I was told that the man who lived here before me had donated his worldly belongings to charity and any money left after his funeral was to go towards renovating the apartment. He had passed away after a long struggle with cancer. And with no relatives to be found, the owner of the building hired a contractor and modernized the home. All hardwood floors, freshly painted walls, and bright white bathrooms with silvery accents, I love it. I chose the dusty rose bedroom with a French balcony for me and the ice-blue room with a balcony facing the courtyard for the baby.
I called my new employer and we agreed on a starting date two weeks later. During those two weeks, I returned to Trenton, gave up my lease, sold and donated my meager possessions, and quit my job. Winnie, my weasel of a cousin, pitched a fit but what is done, is done. He also promised not to tell anyone about my quitting. If anyone asks, I'm on vacation. I had managed to catch a few large bonds, so I was well off with money. I told my friends and family I was going on an extended vacation; I was going to explore the East Cost hopefully landing in the tip of Florida. Lula and Connie wished me a good trip and to bring back souvenirs. Grandma wanted to come with me, but she'd just found a new gentleman who still had some spring to his step and a car. Mom told me to buy paper maps of the coast, cause, "you never know where those GPS thingies lead you." The hardest one to deceive was my dad. I knew by the look he gave me, I had not succeeded. He drove me to the airport and as we parted from a fierce but awkward hug, he told me to stay strong and be happy. Somehow, he knew I would not be back. "Send me pictures Pumpkin." With two suitcases I set out for my new life in Miami.
"Estefania, breakfast is ready, and Theo's awake"
"Coming!" Getting ready these days took me fifteen minutes, all because I'd cut my unruly hair and not needing the three or four coats of mascara for courage. I'd rather spend the extra hour in the morning with my baby. I went to his room to be greeted by a bouncing boy with a big smile.
"Mama, mama I waked."
"I see you're awake. Good morning my sweet baby."
"Monin mama, me up, up"
After a quick wash and diaper change, we headed for breakfast. Gabby made oatmeal with fresh berries, yogurt with honey, and apple juice.
"Buenas dias pequeño, did you sleep well?"
"I sleeped and now I wake. I go wojk wif mama."
"You're going to work with mama?"
"Uhum, I big boy now, I this many" he shows Gabby two fingers smeared in porridge.
"Well, if you're going to work with mama, who's going to the Aquarium with Gabby?"
"Me go" he shouted excitedly "me go aqirum, see fishes."
"You go with Gabby to the Aquarium and mama goes to work, how's that for a plan?"
"Good plan, I go aqirum, no wojk today. Mama come too."
"I'm sorry baby, but mama has to go to work. We'll go together next time."
"Ok." He was happily shoveling his oatmeal, about half of the spoonfuls ended up in his face or on the table. I've learned long ago that putting on clothes has to happen after breakfast, less laundry that way.
"Thank you, Gabby, I think my ride is here" as I said the words, we heard a honk outside. "Give mama a kiss goodbye" Theo puckers his lips and makes kissy noises. I blow him a kiss and wave goodbye. "You two have fun today, ok!"
"Bye bye, mama."
"Bye Estefania, have a good day."
"Morning Plum, ready for a new day of fraud and cheats?"
"Morning Diaz, ready to snoop and spy."
"Did the new camera equipment arrive?"
"Yes, it came in yesterday. I checked it out before I left. The new lens is phenomenal. You can zoom up to a mile for clear shots."
"Wow, that's amazing. Is it heavy?"
"Actually, no. It's made of some new composite compound which makes it lighter than regular plastic and the lens is thinner too. It came with a protective case which is attachable to the existing case."
"Cool. Let's find out if we have a chance to use it today. We've got two new cases, but we need to make a stop for some new memory cards. We're all out of the smaller ones."
"We're going to Winston's?"
"You know it.
We step inside 'Winston's Window for Foto and Copy' and I see a perfect gift for Theo's birthday. A baby blue camera with black and purple buttons.
"Hi Winston, does this camera take real pictures, or is it just a toy?"
"Morning Stephanie, it's a toy but it also takes real pictures. My niece has one and she's pretty rough in handling it. It's got a slot for a memory card and a USB port for printing. I've got the old stock of photo printing paper on sale."
"What size?"
"Postcard."
"I've got a regular printer at home, will it work with this kind of paper?"
"It should work just fine. It is a bit thicker and has a matte finish, so it needs a bit more ink, but otherwise, it's ok."
"I'll take the camera and maybe five boxes of paper."
"You know, there's a hundred papers in one box, right?"
"Oh, I think 500 is a good start. I'll come back later for more."
"It's the last batch of it, so there's no coming back for more. I've got eight boxes. Tell you what, since you're a returning customer, I'll throw in the extra three as a birthday gift for Theo."
"Winston, you are a gem, thank you. I'm sure Theo thanks you too."
"I don't have anything for wrapping so you're on your own for that."
"That's ok, I'll deal with it later. Come on Diaz, we'll be late for work if we don't hustle."
"Oh, hello! We came for memory cards, remember? Not birthday shopping."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
"Winston, we'll need 600 of the 32 GBs, non-rewritable, and 200 of the 64 GBs of rewritable, bill it to the account, please."
"You want them now or should I send them?"
"We'll take them now, but can you deliver a hundred grosses of regular paper and fifty grosses of photopaper. And we'll need ink for all seven printers as well. Also, charge the re-cycling fee."
"All right, will do. Delivery ok for Monday?"
"Monday is fine. Thanks man, catch you later."
"Later man. Stephanie, always a pleasure, say 'Hi' to Gabriella for me."
"Bye Winston, I will."
We pull up at DD-Investigations ten minutes later, just in time for opening. Sam and Kim, or Samantha and Kimberly, a mother-daughter duo, were already there with the first pot of coffee brewing.
Both Diego Diaz and Samantha Hayes are retired police Detectives. Diego native to Miami and Sam from New York. They met at a Policeman's Convention after the bombings in Atlanta. A few years later Sam was ready to retire from the force. Her husband had been killed in a drive-by shooting in Queens. To escape the memories, she packed up her home, Kim, and moved to Miami. By that time Diego had been discharged from active duty due to a work-related injury, which left him with a minor physical disability. But rather than push papers at the precinct, he quit the force and opened his own private investigation company, DD-Investigations.
They met again, by coincidence, at the Miami Zoo, went on a few dates, and quickly realized they were better of as friends. Six months later Sam had taken her PI license and was working at DD-Investigations. How do I fit in this picture? Sam's deceased husband, Lavon Hayes, was friends and brothers in arms with my dad. They say those bonds last for life. I first met Sam at Lavon's funeral. I was 17 and Kim was 8 years old. I really liked Sam, so we kept in touch and when I told her I was pregnant and needed a change, she invited me to stay with them in Miami. Sun, fun, and beach, all year. Who wouldn't love that?
Sam had shown Diego some of the articles about Trenton's Bombshell Bounty Hunter but given him the real facts instead. He agreed that I would be an asset to the company. So, here I am, two-plus years later, certified PI and attending open University for my Masters in Criminology. I think that the thing that really convinced Diego to hire me was the fact that his brother is Marco Diaz, the CO of RangeMan Miami. Even though I've never met Marco, he'd heard about me. Apparently, my escapades as a BEA and part-time employee at RangeMan Trenton were very much gossiped about. Lester Santos had loose lips. In the end, it turned out well and I've made great friends with both the staff and some spouses at both companies.
"Good morning, ladies, anything new for today?"
"Morning DD, morning Steffi. There's an email from RangeMan requesting help with a big case that's time-sensitive. You'll love this Steffi."
"Why, who's the client?"
"Breeland Jewellery."
"Oh, I love their art. Way, way out of my budget, but I drool in their window every time I pass. What's up with them?"
"It seems that some of their customers have been accused of insurance fraud after break-ins."
"How do you mean?"
"I don't know much, but the request was to call Silvio Hernandez asap."
"Ok, I'll give him a call. I've finished the Smith file and Gomez vs. Sanders is almost done. I'll just print the surveillance photos and attach them. Turns out Camille Sanders was cheating on her husband Miguel Gomez, but not with the man Gomez suspected."
"Mr. Gomez had a suspect?"
"Yes, his business partner, George Tucker. I found out that Mr. Tucker had a side business making adult movies and Mrs. Sanders was the leading lady in a number of them."
"Wow, that's not something you hear every day."
"Yeah, apparently being a real housewife in Miami got boring after a while."
"I can imagine. Spa days, shopping and doing Lady Lunches all day every day, gets to be annoying."
"And don't forget bossing around the household staff."
"Well, I'd better call Silvio and see what he wants. And before I forget, here are the invites for Theo's birthday party. I know it's short notice with it being on Saturday, but I hope you can make it. He would love to see Auntie Sam and Uncle Diego."
"Hey! What about his favorite babysitter Kim?"
"Yes Kim, you too, are most welcome. It's at two in the afternoon so you'll still have time for your date."
"You know about my date?"
"Of course I do, I date vicariously through you."
"Ha ha."
"Ha ha, yourself.
"Now that you know about the date, can I borrow that black and silver beaded dress? I promise I'll be really careful and not ruin it. Please, pretty please with a cherry on top."
"Yeah, sure. I'll dig it out for you, but I want all the details of the date. Maybe not all details, but you know what I mean."
"Ok, folks. Enough gossiping and let's get the day started." Diego said in mock exasperation. I took my coffee and headed towards my office, booted up the computer, and got to work.
The Smith file was ready, so I set up a meeting to go through my findings with them. I finalized the Gomez vs. Sanders file and called Silvio at RangeMan. We agreed to meet for lunch and do a preliminary on the Breeland case.
I met Silvio at a diner close to their office and after greeting and ordering our food we got to work.
"How come you're outsourcing this case? It seems like straightforward fraud. Someone at the store is swapping the real gems with fake stones for a cut of the insurance money. Do they have cameras in the shop?"
"For the first question, the big boss is back after an extended tour in the Middle East and wants a thorough report on everything that's been happening since he's left."
"So, how long has he been gone?"
"Left the day after Tank and Lula's wedding."
"Tank and Lula's wedding? In Trenton? That's nearly three years"
"Yeah, why? Were you there?"
"I was. Lula is one of my dearest friends and I was her maid of honor. So, the big boss, is he related to Tank?"
"Brothers in arms. They've known each other since they were teens. They met in juvie."
"Tank's a criminal? How was he accepted in the army with a criminal record?"
"They were both in for car theft and underage joyriding. Ranger in Newark and Tank in Georgia. Not exactly hardened criminals. Kids doing some dumb shit, got caught, and served their time. Ranger got sent to Miami by his parents after that."
At that moment Silvio's phone rings with the Batman tone.
"RangeMan Miami, this is Silvio, how may I help?"
"Yes sir."
"Yes sir."
"Yes sir."
"Yes sir."
"Yes sir."
"No sir."
"Yes sir."
"Yes sir. Saturday, 1500 hours there will be a car for you at the airport."
"Yes sir."
And he put the phone down.
"Quite a one-sided conversation you had."
"Yeah, why waste time on pleasantries when you can just say what you were supposed to, and you're finished. On to the next thing. It's efficient and we don't do mushy."
"Now, when I think about it, the guys in Trenton also had phone conversations like that. I guess it's a military thing."
"If it works for Uncle Sam, it works for RangeMan. On that note, here are the tapes from the jewelers, contact info for the owner and a list of employees. Good luck."
"Thanks, I think. Do I have a deadline?"
"Yesterday would have been great, but asap will do. Mr. Breeland knows we've given you the case and he's waiting to hear from you."
"I can't do yesterday, so he'll have to wait till Monday."
"Why Monday?"
"I'm closing multiple files tomorrow in just half a day. I'm having the birthday party for Theo on Saturday and Sunday is fun-day, not work-day."
"It's this Saturday? Alina said a Saturday, I just didn't realize it was now."
"It's ok if you can't make it. It's not like he's going to remember who attended his second birthday."
"Just with the boss being back and all…"
"I understand, but make sure Alina and the girls show up, ok?"
"Ok."
Friday morning was spent finalizing minor open cases and setting up interviews with the staff at Breeland's.
"Sam, I'm out to Party Planet for the last time for some last-minute shopping and going straight home. We'll see you tomorrow."
"Ok, have a good night, see you."
"Bye."
At Party Planet I bought an ocean-themed party set. Complete with plates, cups, napkins, and balloons. Some party hats, streamers, and a couple of tablecloths. I found a cute dolphin gift bag for the camera and small paper bags for the thank you gifts. They came in a bundle of fifty. Who had a birthday party for fifty kids? Next up was Grammas Bakery. I'd ordered an ocean-themed sheet cake, cupcakes with blue and white icing, and some fish-shaped cookies. Gabby promised to make the savories. We love her empanadas, papas rellenas and malanga fritters. We were setting up a buffet of hamburgers, hotdogs, and tacos with all the fixings. For dessert, there was fresh fruit, popsicles made of fresh fruit juice, and of course, the cake.
Saturday morning began sunny and bright.
"Mama, mama I up, wakey, wakey, mama."
"Good morning birthday boy."
"Today me big boy, I birfday."
"It is your birthday and I think it's time to start practicing with big boy pull-ups."
"Yes, yes me big plups."
"Let's hit the showers and start training. Race you to the bathroom. One, two, go."
We raced to the bathroom and there was no hiding his excitement when he spotted the box of Pampers Pull-ups. They were gender specified, which is understandable. The 'Boy Box' had motives of cars, trucks, boats, and tools, planes, and animals.
"Ok Theo, take your pick, is it cars or animals?"
"Me want lion. Lion big and stlong, like Theo."
"Lions it is. Do you want mama to help?"
"Me do self."
"You do self, ok. Put this blue line in front, always, ok."
"Ok, mama, blue flont."
He was so cute struggling, but very determined to do it himself.
"Mama, I done."
"Yes, you are, good boy. Now let's get dressed and have some breakfast."
"I call Gjampa."
"You wanna call Granpa? It's still early so let's eat first and then we'll call him, ok."
"Ok."
We had ham omelets, toast, and fresh orange juice with umbrellas. Hey, it's his birthday. After finishing breakfast, we called Grandpa.
"Hi daddy, do you have time to Skype?"
"Good morning Pumpkin, of course, I do. I've got nothing but time here."
Dad had a minor stroke last year and now lived at an assisted living facility. Mom up and left him for a farmer living in Montana. I had tried to coax him to move to Miami, but he refused. I'll be sure to try again, with every phone call, postcard and letter. Ten minutes later my laptop pinged with the Skype sound.
"Hi Gjampa! I big boy today. I this many" Theo showed his chubby hand with two fingers in front of the camera.
"There's Grandpas favorite boy. Happy Birthday baby."
"Me no baby mo."
"Well, you sure have grown since last time, you really are a big boy."
" I gjowed this big" he stands on his toes reaching up with his hands. "I have pajty today, you come?"
"I would love to be at your party, but Grandpa has to get better first."
"Gjampa sick?"
"Yes, Grandpa is a little sick and has to do a lot of exercises to get better."
"Ok, be good soon."
"I'm trying baby, I'm trying."
"Dad, will you please let me transfer you to Miami. I think it would do you the world of good. The weather is always nice and you'd finally get to meet your grandson for real."
"Oh, Pumpkin, I don't think I have much resistance left. I'll think about it, seriously, this time."
"Thank you. I miss you and you really don't have much left in Trenton. Val's in California with her family, Grandma Mazur passed away and that's about it. Isn't it? I'm not even going to mention mom. Please, dad, I'll get you the best care you need. Please." Seems like all Plums are suckers for the word.
"Ok, let me get some things straightened out and I'll be there."
"I'm so happy you're letting me do this. I'll call you next week when I've done some research. Ok?"
"Ok, Pumpkin. I'll better go, my PT will be here shortly."
"A PT huh? Some pretty young lady I hope."
"No, HE's a big black army vet who donates his time to other old vets."
"Are you talking about Bobby Brown?"
"Yeah, you know him?"
"I've met him a few times, he's the Medic at RangeMan Trenton."
"I'll be sure to say 'HI' from you."
"You do that, and I'll talk to you next week."
"Love you Pumpkin, love you too baby boy."
"Love you Gjampa, byebye."
"Bye dad, love you."
YES! Finally, I managed to get him to move. Feeling good about my accomplishment I set out to prepare for the party. With Theo helping to carry the smaller items we got the courtyard started before lunch. I hung the streamers and set out the cushions for the chairs.
"Mama, I hungjy."
"Mama's hungry too, what do you think of chicken soup for lunch?"
"Yay, chisken soop wif animals."
"With animals." Theo loved the animal-shaped noodles in the soup. After lunch, I put Theo down for a nap. During said nap, I finished the yard for the party. Gabby showed up with the food and started to set up the buffet. I packed the party favors and hid them in the closet. All the kids got a small foam jigsaw puzzle, some stickers, and a toothbrush. Time to wake up the birthday boy. I was only halfway up the stairs when I heard "Mama, mama, I waked up." Let the party begin.
Theo wanted to dress on his cargo chino shorts with lots of pockets and a yellow t-shirt, 'cause lions are yellow'.
"Mama also lion today."
"Would it be ok if mama was a butterfly for your party?"
"Buttfjys pjetty."
"Butterflies are pretty, so mama is pretty today, yes?"
"Yes."
A bit before two o'clock the guests started arriving, Theo ran around greeting them. "Hejjo, wewcom to my big boy pajty." I had set up a play area with swings, a slide, and a small bouncy house in the shady corner of the yard. The kids loved it. I'm not a big fan of organized games to play at parties, but I had one for the end. Fishing. Behind a blue sheet decorated as the ocean with fish, shells, and seaweed, the kids got to fish for their party favor. Diego promised to act as Neptune.
We had an eclectic mix of guests. My friends from work, school, and people I've befriended. Theo's friends from playgroup, swimming, and the park. The only ones missing were family. Well, relatives really. I hadn't spoken with my mom since the day I left. Valerie had sent a gift and a card wishing they were here. I knew they didn't have the money to spend on a cross-country flight for a weekend. Steve was a mediocre lawyer and Valerie a stay-at-home-mom. They had four kids of their own, and a fifth on the way. Maybe if they spent some money on birth control, they wouldn't have a kid every two-three years. Well, everyone to their own. With Grandma Mazur gone, it only left dad, and he'd be here soon enough.
People were mingling, eating, and chatting, and generally having a good time. Hamburgers and hot dogs had been an excellent choice and now it was time for cake. The bakery had exceeded my expectations in creating the ocean theme. They had made two upright dolphins of painted chocolate, with a candle each, for Theo to blow. With all the guests singing Happy Birthday you could probably hear us in the next block over.
"Beautiful, did we miss the party?"
"Lester, oh my God, what are you doing here?"
"You mean, it was exclusively RangeMan Miami that was invited? I'm hurt."
"No, of course not. I'm just surprised you're here."
"The guys at the office said everyone not on shift would be here, so I grabbed the boss at the airport and decided to crash the party. Where's the birthday boy, Uncle Lester has a gift."
"I think he's in the bouncy house. Maybe not such a good idea after cake. And Lester, the bouncy house is for the KIDS ONLY!"
"And you said that so convincingly in your mom-voice. Good to see you, Stephanie."
"Good to see you too Lester."
"Lester, won't you introduce us, please."
"Of course. Stephanie, this is Carlos Mañoso, CEO of RangeMan. Carlos, this is Stephanie Plum. Also known as the Bombshell Bounty Hunter from Trenton, and the mother of the birthday boy."
I smile as I turn around to shake the man's hand. I look in his eyes, and OH MY GOD! It's him, the one-night stand from Tank and Lula's wedding. Theos father.
As I take her hand, I feel a jolt of electricity running down my spine. It's her, the woman I spent my last night with before leaving and have dreamt about for nearly three years.
THE END
maybe