I decided that I would need to have a long talk with Patty to completely understand things.
The sound of the outside door opening broke me out of my reverie, and Lynette arrived in the billiard room with June, Sherry, and my sister in tow.
I was about to greet the girls when Lynette said, “What are you guys doing lounging around? Why don’t you guys come outside and get some fresh air?”
I blinked at Lynette. Unlike her demeanor when she was cheerleader captain, Lynette hardly ever suggested any activity around the apartment, but here she was doing just that.
“Outside?” I asked, confused.
Sherry joined Lynette. “It’s a wonderful day, Jim!”
Merry added, “You didn’t even say ‘Hi!’ to me!”
“Hi, Shortcake!” I said, automatically, a bit apologetically.
“Come on, you two,” Lynette said, pulling me up by my arm. “Get outside!”
After pulling me up, Lynette surprised me by taking Kristen by the arm, delaying only slightly while Kristen put her guitar against the wall. My Goddess was pulled up by Lynette.
I shrugged at Kristen, not knowing what got into Lynette. Did the two girls have a fight before? I thought they were all lovey-dovey in the shower this morning…
June asked, “Were the two of you in here all the time we were gone?”
My response was a shrug. “Here, the studio…”
“The shower,” Kristen added with a smirk.
June shook her head. “You need to get outside more.”
Before I knew it, Merry and June had me by the arms and led me down the hall toward the door that led outside.
“What’s going on?” I asked, completely perplexed.
None of the girls answered me. I could now tell that Kristen seemed to know what was going on, which made me a bit more curious.
When I got to the door…
“SURPRISE!”
There were people everywhere! Cheerleaders—some still in their outfits—and members of the band from school. Mr. Proilet and a couple of other teachers were there as well. I turned to look at Kristen, who simply kissed me.
“That’s for the surprise party you threw me for my eighteenth birthday!” Kristen said, smiling. “Daddy and Mommy set this up for us.”
I tried to pick out Kristen’s parents in the crowd and saw them sitting on some chairs with my step-father and mother. I went to go over to them to thank them, but people kept interrupting me to wish me a happy birthday.
When I got to the place where our parents were, I was further surprised to see Will and Camille were there as well.
“Cammy!” I said, reaching out to give her a big hug.
“Will told me that he’d spank me if I didn’t show up for this soireé that Kristen planned!”
I gave Camille a big kiss on the cheek and then shook Will’s hand.
Daniel Swift got up from his chair and shook my hand next. “Happy birthday, son!”
“Thanks, Mr. Swift!”
I received a kiss from Charlie Swift as well as my mother, and I got a firm handshake from my step-father.
I turned around to look at everybody who was at the party. I couldn’t believe so many people were there… it had to be even more than the number of people who had been to Kristen’s birthday party earlier that year.
I saw Roy Fennel, who was chatting with Sherry and Merry, and not only was most of my jazz band around, but so was most of the concert band as well. I saw a stage was set up but had large sheets around it. It was obvious that Kristen had planned some entertainment as well. I wondered how many of the jazz band would be performing today.
Kristen came over with two cans of soda and handed me one. “I envy you. My birthday is in January, and it’s too cold then for an outdoor birthday. You get to have wonderful weather for your birthday! Were you surprised?”
“You bet!” I said, still in awe at all the people who were over at the house.
“Mom and Dad suspended house rules and opened the porch to the outside so people can have easy access to the pool. People were told to bring their bathing suits if they want to swim. We have burgers and hot dogs for the afternoon, and the caterer will bring us some barbecued chicken and ribs later tonight.”
“When did you plan this?” I asked, stunned by the turnout.
“I planned it in January, but didn’t tell anybody about it until a couple of months ago. Everybody promised to help me keep it a secret from you.”
“I love you, Goddess!”
“Oh, Jim!”
The two of us kissed for a long time.
There was a tent set up with picnic tables underneath, and there were people I didn’t know—the caterers—serving food to all takers.
I kept looking at the stage, which was still shrouded in white sheets. Kristen managed to get my curiosity piqued over that. Who was going to perform? Did she make any arrangements with Mr. Proilet to get the Jazz Band to perform? If so, when did they have time to rehearse?
I was startled when I heard a deep voice boom out. “Hey, Oogie!” This was accompanied by a large hand on my right shoulder.
“Archy?” I asked, recognizing the voice. I turned around and saw Archy and June were there. “You’re here from college!”
“Do you think I’d miss out on your birthday?” Archy laughed as we shook hands. “Besides, Kristen arranged for a Piper Cub to pick me up in Indiana. I’ll be going back later tomorrow. Thank goodness we don’t have classes yet.”
“Don’t you have a game this week?”
“We have a bye this week. June told Kristen and next thing I know, she calls me and tells me to get my black butt over here for your party!”
June smiled, and I could see that she was happy to see her big old Teddy Bear with her, even for just a while.
I nodded toward the stage. “Do you have any idea what Kristen has planned over there?”
Archy laughed a deep booming laugh. “Oogie, my friend. That little lady of yours next to you would rip my heart out along with some other organs if I were to spoil her surprise.”
I turned to where Archy indicated, and saw Kristen had come back to be with me. I smiled sheepishly.
“You have Archy trained very well, June,” Kristen said, smiling at the couple.
“I have no complaints,” June said.
As I left, I saw Archy and June start a warm kiss together. I was happy that June and Archy were able to get together again. As much as June and I loved one another, it was nothing compared to the deep bond shared between the linebacker and the cheerleader.
As Kristen led me toward the picnic tent, Mr. Proilet stopped us and shook my hand. “Happy Birthday, Jim!”
“Thanks!” I said, looking back as Kristen continued to drag me away. I wasn’t able to ask my teacher if the band was going to be performing.
I looked in the direction that Kristen was dragging me, and saw Kristen’s brother Will and Camille at a picnic table eating lunch.
“Hey, guys!” Kristen said. “I’m glad you were able to make it, Will!”
“There would have been hell to pay if I didn’t make it,” Will said, laughing. “Mom and Dad were very insistent.”
“When does school start?” I asked.
“In a couple of weeks…” Will started.
“Two weeks,” Camille said.
The two started laughing together, and Kristen and I joined them.
“How long are you in town?” I asked.
The two looked at each other. “We have tickets to go back to New England on Wednesday. We arrive in Boston for a final weekend before I have to show up at the dorm at Brown.”
My favorite red head came over to the table where we were sitting with a plate containing mostly potato salad and macaroni salad.