The Anniversary Party

(Just a little recap to let all you folks know what you're missing at these anniversary parties).

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"Kate, just what do you think you're doing bringing my alter ego to your little old lady soiree you and Other Rachel throw every year? I thought that was in honor of me and Heyes!"

"What do you mean 'bringing him to the party?" Kate asked with sweet innocence dripping from her words.

"You know exactly what I mean. You had him sitting at the table wearing MY hat, so all you ladies could ogle all over him. You even demanded that the waitress ask him what he wanted for lunch!"

Kate giggled at the memory. "That was a hoot," she said, unable to hide her amusement.

"Kate, that party celebrates me and Heyes, not some fella who wore my boots for three years, then went parading off to take on the alias of some other poor fictional character."

"Kid, you know perfectly well that you and Heyes are the Guests of Honor at that annual celebration. Why we take up two whole tables at that party, one of which is filled with pictures and posters, and pillows, and coffee mugs all with the images of you and Heyes depicted all over them. "

"Don't go conveniently forgetting the alter-ego's high school year book, whatever that is."

Again Kate smiled. "Rachel was rather clever, getting her hands on a copy of that yearbook," Kate replied.

"And don't forget that magazine with pictures of him… nekked. What kind of ladies are you, anyway?"

"He's not…, well, maybe his is, but it was all very discrete!" Kate said defensively. "Besides Kid, I don't hear you complaining about all the Kid in the Tub pictures that were taped to the walls."

"You tore the wallpaper taking em down!" Kid exclaimed.

"Not so that anyone would notice, and luckily Rita had some craft glue from Hobby Lobby in her purse so she and Michelle could glue the paper together again before the manager even noticed."

"You're trying to get me off the subject," Kid grumbled.

"What is the subject?' Kate asked.

"Me and Heyes at your party!"

"Where is Heyes?" Kate asked. "You don't usually stop by alone."

"He stayed behind to get over the shock."

"What shock?"

"The shock of there being more Heyes fans than Kid fans at your stupid party."

Kate nodded. "That was a shock. I've always thought Midwest people were more sensible than that. But you know Kid4ever and I are two of the most loyal Kid fans that ever lived. I mean, you didn't see a cardboard cutout of Heyes there, now did you?"

"That's true, but Rachel wearing Heyes' clothes was a bit disturbing. I ain't used to seeing a couple of braids dangling down from under Heyes' hat, and mustard colored pants on a woman just ain't something you see every day."

"With the exception of Heyes, you don't really see them much on men, either."

Kid grinned. "I have to admit them parties are kinda fun, seeing all you eccentric females exclaiming undying love for Heyes and me while stuffing chocolate cake with cowboy decorations on it, into your mouths and getting icing all over your faces."

"Well, truth be told Kid, our main reason for these parties just may be that chocolate cake," Kate confessed.

"I don't think women need an excuse for chocolate, at least not your little band of lady outlaws."

"Lady outlaws. I like that. In fact, that might make for a good story. 'Kid Curry and the Band of Lady Outlaws," Kate mused.

"You're trying to change the subject again, ain't you?" Kid asked.

"I tell you what Kid, if we can call a truce to this little difference of opinion, my next story will begin with you and a giant chocolate cake."

"Oh no, I see where that's going. That's just an excuse for getting me into a bathtub again, just to wash off all the crumbs."

Kate smiled. "That would make a great cardboard cut out for next year's party."

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Author's Note: My sister wrote a poem when she was in high school (in the 60s), and part of it seems quite appropriate given the surprise Rachel had in store for our party. l(alright, the last line doesn't work in this case, but everything else does, and the poem flashed through my mind when Rachel announced Ben Murphy was on the phone for a Face Chat!

If Alexander Graham Bell

Had made the phone without the tell

Would there ever be a phone

That you might call the See-A-Phone?

In the middle of the night

This would seem to be your plight

If the See-A-Phone would ring

Now let's list just everything.

Lipstick on, hair in place

Mudpack off my wrinkled face

Curlers gone from my hair

Does the bed lamp tend to glare?

Pick up the phone and let him see

Just how gorgeous you can be

But you rose from tour slumber

Just to answer…

A wrong number.

~ Marilyn Knudsen