Chapter 15: Alphabet Antics Invitations
One mild first Saturday of March 2024, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri along with 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, 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 was making her invitations to her Alphabet Antics Sleepover in 2 weeks out of oaktag and alphabet cereal. "I am excited about the spelling bee in 2 weeks, and that is why I am having this slumber party," Hannah told us. "You are really growing up, Hannah," Sarah remarked. "Did you have a favorite birthday growing up?" Hannah asked. "I liked my 15th birthday the best because it was a very memorable celebration with cake and presents," Sarah replied. "I remember when I first learned to read on my 3rd birthday, and it was a memorable experience for me," Henri stated. "Growing up is not all sunshine and smiles, though," Sarah stated. "People can get into crazy situations in their teen and adult years, like how my boyfriend, Benedict got into trouble for drugs and alcohol, and then he got suspended." "James, you understood how I was feeling," I pointed out. "Yes, I did," James replied. "Sarah was not in her best mood that day, so I was there to cheer you up." Then, we helped Hannah deliver her invitations out to her friends. While listening to Kate Bush and Lizzo, we composed a Childhood Chat in which Grace Luster discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2011 at 3 years old in the city of Pittsburgh, Jennifer Preager discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2012 at 9 years old in the western suburbs, Allison Brawner discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2016 at 15 years old in the eastern suburbs, Julia Robison discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2017 at 14 years old in the northern suburbs, and Ashley Cassoin discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2021 at 15 years old in the southern suburbs. Then, while listening to NSYNC and 98 Degrees, Natalie Bay discussed having a Netflix binge session in 6th grade in McCandless, Rachel Luster discussed laying on her fuzzy pillow at 2 years old in Hampton Township, Abigail Mifflin discussed eating pancakes for breakfast in 7th grade in the western suburbs, Nicole Ellis discussed taking a selfie in 9th grade in Westmoreland County, Victoria Spurnick discussed having a photo shoot in 10th grade in the northern suburbs, Hannah Mifflin discussed using her new duffel bag in 6th grade in Ross Township, and Brooke Leesaw discussed sleeping on her blankie at 23 years old in the southern suburbs. "Did anyone have a favorite activity that they want to talk about?" I asked. "Grace playing Chopped, Jr. at 3 years old was a rather cute story," Carly agreed. "I remember making a homemade dinner in the spring of my 8th grade year." "And, I helped her," Mr. Benson added. "I liked joining the group a few years ago and getting to do all of these awesome activities," Spencer told us, "and then finding out that I have a birthday 4 days before James!" "All of the activities sound like fun, but I am kind of nervous about this new job," Alex admitted. "Why is that?" Max asked. "Well, they want us to attend certain activities in order for us to get the job, and these are around our weekend activities," Alex explained. "But, the Disney trip goes from the evening of May 26 into the daytime hours of May 30," Justin explained. "Just think, it will be like the time that we went to Disney World when we were in the marching band!" "Yes, that's true," Alex stated. "But, I have to attend 3 things in order to get accepted for the job: the campus orientation which is 2 days before the slumber party, the annual band banquet at Edgewood Country Club at the end of April, and the Disney World trip. Can't they just be straight forward with us?" Pretty soon, 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!"