Chapter 10: A Christmas Party in West Mifflin

The next day, I met up with Sarah, James, and Henri, along with some of my other friends Alex Russo, Justin Evans, and Max Greenwald at the First Presbyterian Church in Duquesne for our annual Christmas party. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. In addition to our usual music of 98 Degrees and Lizzo, we heard some holiday hits from artists like Taylor Swift and Jimmy Buffet. There was also lots of good food to eat, such as for appetizers and snacks, sliced apples and peaches with cinnamon, cheese and crackers with pepperoni, potato and tortilla chips, Christmas cookies, and candy, along with assorted beverages. For dinner, we ate chicken parmesan, meat lasagna, and macaroni and cheese catered by the Cooked Goose restaurant. "I like your shirt, Max," Henri happily stated. "Thanks, Henri," Max replied. "Do you remember what Christmas movie this line is from?" "No, I don't remember," Henri replied. "It is from A Christmas Story," Max replied. "The line that Ralphie decodes in the movie is Be Sure to Drink Your Ovaltine." "Oh right," Henri stated. "That is a good movie!" "It was nice having the Christmas party catered for a change this year, James," Justin happily stated. "I agree with you, Justin," James stated. "But, as you said last week, you do a great job cooking the food!" "What did you think of the peppermint face masks?" Justin asked. "I think that they look and feel great," James replied. "But, as I said during the pandemic a few years back, I am not afraid to admit that I like girly stuff," Justin admitted. "I like facials, but nothing really else," James stated. "This chicken parmesan tastes good, Alex," Sarah happily stated. "I am glad that you like it, Sarah," Alex replied. "My favorite is the lasagna!" "Everything tastes good," I told my friends. "I first ate chicken parmesan when Sarah took me out to dinner for my birthday at the Grand Concourse, and we also shared a special dessert together." "I wonder what you are going to have for dessert," Sarah stated. "It is a surprise," Alex told me. "This reminds me of my annual birthday meal at Buca di Beppo with a tasty dessert." "Why don't you want to do it again next year?" Sarah asked. "I love Buca di Beppo." "We can do that on my actual birthday, but we are still going to have a Cinco de Mayo-themed party at Edgewood Country Club for my party." "Are you sure that they will let you into the banquet, Alex?" I asked in a concerned tone of voice. "You shouldn't go if you are not in the marching band! I liked your original idea of Veltre's better." "I am glad that we went to Kennywood Park when we did," Alex stated. "Last year, it was freezing cold on party day and this year, it is raining kitties and puppies, so they had to close Kennywood!" "I would not want to ride rides in heavy rain, that is for sure," I replied. "I really liked when we went to Kennywood before Angel went to college at Edinboro University," Alex replied. "It would be our last time together on a regular basis for a few years until Angel came back from college permanently." "I am also wearing the friendship bracelets that we made this fall," I stated. "Even Sarah is dressed nicely!" "Well, I figured that it was warm enough to wear a dress," Sarah told me. "It is nice to look your Sunday best for a holiday party," Alex agreed. "The last year I saw Sarah's dress was in 2016 and the last year I saw Alex's dress was in 2018," I pointed out. "But, I wear the white cat shirt every year and the black skort all-year round!" Pretty soon, it was time for our gift exchange and then we ate Christmas tree-shaped chocolate and vanilla cake with neapolitan ice cream for dessert. Then, it was time for all of us to go home. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"