Chapter 19: The Community Kids Sleepover
One extremely hot second Saturday of July 2024, I met up with my friends Sarah, James, and Henri as well as 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 for her Community Kids Sleepover. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. We jammed out to Kate Bush, Lizzo, NSYNC, and 98 Degrees during the sleepover. The party room was decorated with appliance boxes and streetlights to look like a make-believe city. Games that Samantha and her friends included Banker's Delight, Cops and Drivers, Stocking Shelves, Like a Kid in a Candy Store, and Clothing Store Customers. Activities included Open for Business, May I Help You?, and The Candy Jar. "I am lucky to live in such a nice community like Pittsburgh," James stated. "I am nostalgic about my original home of the Natrona Heights/Freeport border." "I remember when we surprised Angel on her birthday, right, Sarah?" Henri asked. "Oh, yes," Sarah replied. "I almost thought that you guys forgot my birthday for a second." "We would never forget your birthday, Angel," Sarah told me. "That reminds me," James continued. "Freeport Area High School was where I graduated from high school." "I got an American Girl graduation doll at the toy store," Samantha stated, holding it up. "That doll looks a lot like Hannah," I pointed out. "Not your older sister, but the other Hannah who is now a full-grown woman." "We all wore blue caps and gowns to graduation, male or female," James pointed out. "That was an awesome ceremony," Sarah stated. "I unfortunately wasn't there," Henri pointed out. "2 years later, I wore a pretty red cap and gown with a cute little white sundress and high-heeled sandals," Sarah continued. "Just thinking about how our clients are growing up reminds me of me growing up with you guys moving away to the city of Pittsburgh," I pointed out. "There is a pattern here with siblings and stepsiblings graduating: the two elder siblings, Sarah and James, out of high school with Henri still in school, two older sisters, Erin and Mia Thomson from Oakmont out of high school with Hailey still in school, and now the two older sisters, Abigail and Hannah, out of high school with Samantha still in school. Now, that is just plain scary!" "I love all of the buildings that you have made," Carly stated. "There is a bank, a candy store, a clothing store, a grocery store, and even a toy store." "That sounds exactly like what we saw at the Pittsburgh Mills Mall during the summer before Carly started high school," Mr. Benson stated. "I was there, too," Spencer stated. "Now, the Pittsburgh Mills Mall is basically nothing anymore." To eat, there was fast food like hamburgers, French fries, and soda, along with a trip to Dunkin' Donuts in Squirrel Hill. "I know you guys are only 6 years old, but we have been facilitating graduation camp all summer," Alex stated. "It has been really hot this week," Justin pointed out. "We have done nothing but water activities all week," Max added. "Everyone knows that I prefer summer over winter," I stated. "I would much rather pass out in the heat rather than have a big snowstorm like we had back when we were in high school," Alex stated. "I have been sleeping a lot lately because it has been so hot and I tire out easily when doing these activities in the summertime," I pointed out. "I have noticed that, too," Alex stated. "I have been sleeping a lot too because I had a busy week, and starting next week, Saturdays will be my sleep-in day to prepare for Sundays." "I am sorry that we never got to go to Kennywood and Sandcastle this week," I stated. "You guys must have had a busy week and were too tired to take me." "We can always go next week," Alex told me. "I just realized that today is the 5-year anniversary of Hannah Mifflin's Stars and Stripes Carnival when she and her friends were still young teenagers." Before going to bed, there was an activity about drawing identification cards and telling stories about the owner of their card, as well as silly stories. Pretty soon, it was time for all of us to go to bed. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"