Chapter 15: Community Kids Invitations
One warm last Saturday of June 2024, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri along with some of my other 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 Samantha Carson's apartment in Point Breeze. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. Samantha made her invitations to her Community Kids sleepover in 2 weeks out of IDs of all of her friends and placed them in manila envelopes to deliver to them. Then, we headed to Upper St. Clair for the pinata activity. While jamming out to Kate Bush and Lizzo, we chatted with Grace Luster about making an inside joke at 2 years old in downtown Pittsburgh, Jessica Linden about having a photo shoot in 5th grade in East Liberty, Allison Brawner about dressing up in 8th grade in the North Side, Julia Robison about taking quizzes in 7th grade in Oakland, Elizabeth Mosh about eating bagels for breakfast her freshman year at Community College of Allegheny County Boyce Campus in Shadyside, and Isabella Black about arranging her sleeping bag line at 14 years old in the South Side. "Samantha is only 6 years old and she may remember this Community Kids sleepover for the rest of her life," I told my friends. "As I said before, it's kind of a good thing that our clients are older because they can remember everything that has happened to them when they are older." "I remember my 15th birthday party was amazing," Sarah stated. "I loved the cake and presents." "And looking at embarrassing photos of you," Henri added. "Let's not ruin the moment, Henri," Sarah warned. "Speaking of which, the other Sarah had a birthday yesterday- Sarah Ching, and she turned 20 years old," I pointed out. "Wow, she's not a teenager anymore," Sarah pointed out. "But remember that being older is not all peaches and cream," James stated. "I remember when Benedict got suspended from middle school from drinking too much alcohol and taking too many drugs and Sarah was really devastated." "No wonder that drugs and alcohol are not permitted at these activities," Sarah stated. "Neither are hazing, smoking, or vaping." "I know exactly how you felt that day," I told Sarah. "But, I ended up taking care of everything," James stated. Then, while jamming out to NSYNC and 98 Degrees, we chatted with Rachel Luster about having a Netflix binge session as a baby in downtown Pittsburgh, Abigail Mifflin about making an inside joke in 5th grade in East Liberty, Nicole Ellis about having a party with a science theme in 7th grade in the North Side, Hannah Mifflin about having a photo shoot in 2nd grade in Oakland, Madison Dayley about dressing up in 4th grade in Shadyside, and Kayla Jennis about sleeping in total darkness at the end of 11th grade in the South Side. There was also making bath bombs as a craft. To eat, there was a choice of either homemade macaroni and cheese or barbecue on buns with s'mores, cheese and crackers, or veggie sticks. "Even though Claire's at the South Hills Village Mall has bath bombs, it is way more fun to make my own," Carly stated. "I loved Samantha's bake sale yesterday featuring food from Prantl's Bakery," Mr. Benson stated. "There were so many good desserts to eat that I couldn't choose," Spencer stated. "I have a big appetite," Mr. Benson stated. "When there was a bake sale back in Natrona Heights, I felt the same way because there were so many good things to eat that I couldn't choose." "I think that all bakeries are like that," I pointed out. There were also a few additional clients that attended the event that were not involved in Childhood Chat, including Victoria Spurnick, Sophia Cleng, Ashley Cassoin, Kaitlyn and Colleen Marioni, Natalie Bay, and Lauren Bennett. Ashley ended up breaking open the pinata and some great candy and toys spilled out, including graduation-themed prizes from a sunshine-themed donkey. "Congratulations, Ashley!" Alex congratulated. "Thanks, Alex," Ashley replied. "I am glad that you guys are having fun at graduation camp, but the season is going by fairly quickly," Alex stated. "We are about to exit June and enter July." "Yes, we have made it to another month of summer fun," Ashley stated. "But, before you know it, July will be over, then it will be August, and then the summer will be over, and then it will be time to go back to school." "Can we not talk about that now, Ashley?" I asked. "Let's just enjoy the rest of the summer while it's here!" "Yes, the spring of my junior year was amazing," Alex stated. "We did some activities like we are doing right now, but there was no graduation camp until after the school year was over. We had to get through our Florida trip first before we could think about summer." "Plus, the food this month was amazing, and today is the last day we will have it until next year," Ashley stated. "Yes, the food this month was pretty healthy," Alex agreed. "I liked the veggie sticks best." "We had macaroni and cheese for lunch for 2 out of the past 3 Wednesdays, and it was pretty much the same chef who cooked it! By the way, don't you think that soup is just for the cold winter months?" "Ashley, I don't appreciate you saying that," Alex pointed out. "People can eat soup any time of year! And, I get to cook one of my favorite dinners when I get home: fish and potatoes." "Yum," Ashley remarked. Pretty soon, it was time for all of us to leave. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Alex replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"