Chapter 5: Beach Blasters Invitations
One warm final Saturday of May 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, along with Carly's stepdad, Freddie Benson, at Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties client Abigail Carson's apartment in Point Breeze to help her deliver her invitations for her Beach Blasters Sleepover in 2 weeks. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. Prior to our shift, we jammed out to Kate Bush, Lizzo, NSYNC, and 98 Degrees, as well as the summer-edition countdown hosted by superstar Jesse McCartney on Pop2K. "I am looking forward to this party," Abigail stated. "Seasonal parties are the best, aren't they?" "They sure are," I agreed. "Are you also looking forward to 10th grade once the summer is over?" Sarah asked. "I sure am," Abigail replied. "That will be the year of my Sweet 16!" "I remember my Sweet 16 birthday spending it with Sarah and Angel at the car dealer and the now-defunct Pizza Hut in Cheswick," James stated. "There are lots of other Pizza Hut restaurants in the city of Pittsburgh," Abigail stated. "In Homewood, Greenfield, and Oakland." "I would love to go to a Pizza Hut restaurant again sometime," Henri stated licking his lips. "Why do you guys always wear the same clothes for activities?" Abigail asked. "Those are known as our identification clothes so people know who we are," I explained. "I wear a burgundy tank top, Sarah wears a light blue tank top, Carly wears a pink tank top, and Alex wears a light purple tank top." "That is similar to when we wore all black to blend into an all-black environment," Sarah stated. "But, we were not performing in a concert or anything." "We even updated our profile pictures to reflect 2 recent banquets from this month," I explained. "But, one of them you were honored at, and we were so proud of you! Literally everyone from the Hamilton musical was involved in the Academic Honors Ceremony this month, even though you and Drew were the only 2 freshmen involved." After we helped Abigail deliver the invitations made with pails and shovels to her guests, we headed back to the office in Monroeville for a Game Day including games like charades, Scrabble, flashlight tag, corn hole, Truth or Sing, and the Chubby Bunny Marshmallow Game. "What did everyone think of the park in Reserve Township yesterday?" I asked everyone. "I thought that it was a very nice park, just like Schenley, Frick, and Highland Parks," Carly replied. "It is pretty close to the city of Pittsburgh, too," Spencer agreed. "I just am glad that Nevel showed up because these city parks are almost always inconvenient for him to come," Mr. Benson stated. "Besides, he was such a control freak!" "It was a good park and it was nice to see an awesome view of the city of Pittsburgh," Justin stated. "I remember the summer after my junior year of high school, we went rock climbing at a park once," Max stated. "I would have loved to go rock climbing and play fun games like we are playing today rather than just sitting around, blowing bubbles, and playing on the playground," Alex agreed. "Just like at the autism banquet!" "But, we still have lots of fun games to play today," I told my female friend. Even Sarah Ching and her friends and Jill Moser and her friends made a cameo appearance at Game Day, too. They remarked how awesome the park was and how it was like Boyce Park where Sarah C. lived. Jill thought the park reminded her of the amazing Frick Park that she lives relatively close to. "I am glad that you girls all had fun yesterday," I remarked. "There was even lots of good things to eat there in addition to the painting crafts featured, and everyone had something different to eat that they enjoyed." "I love their tacos because it reminds me of the taco shop in Oakland that I like to go to on occasion," Jill stated. "I was in the mood for pasta because it is the ultimate comfort food," Sarah C. stated. "After painting and playing at the park, I had a delicious ice cream sundae with strawberry syrup, whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles and a maraschino cherry because ice cream is my favorite dessert," Carly stated. "I loved the strawberry shortcake trifle because it is such a unique dessert," Sarah stated. "Even I managed to step out of my comfort zone and eat a soft pretzel with no cheese sauce," Alex stated. "I forgot my snacks, so when I went to get gas, I picked up some fruit from the gas station, and today, my special desserts are chocolate chip brownies and apple crisp." Pretty soon, it was time for all of us to leave. "Thanks for a great morning, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"