crowd moans as Rose
continues. “Many of you have joined in our Solstice celebrations over the years
but this has been a day to remember. I’m so delighted to see some new faces
here.” Again, thunderous applause ensues.
I smile alongside her, wanting for everyone to make
their exit so I can finally talk to Rose and get some answers.
“Alright, I’ll get off the mic. I’ll let Katrina
say a few words to all of you now.”
Rose hands me the microphone with a bright smile.
As if reading my thoughts, she whispers. “Just thank everyone for coming,
dear.”
I take the microphone from her hands, panic rising
in my chest. I turn to the large group that stares back at me with hungry eyes,
waiting to devour my words. Usually in a moment like this, being put on the
spot would terrify me. But, I suddenly don’t feel scared. I don’t freeze. I do
wonder what I’m supposed to say to all of these strangers. I scan the crowd
quickly for Alec and am grateful for his presence and comforting silent support
as he smiles at me.
“Thank you all so much for coming.” I scan the room
again, this time with a confidence that surprises even me. “I couldn’t have
asked for a more positive welcome to your community and I look forward to knowing
each and every one of you. Just – forgive me if I can’t remember all of
your names right away.”
Laughter fills the air again. I laugh myself,
surprised that I can find humor in this situation. “Thank you.”
A pleased Rose reaches for the microphone, but I’m
not done. With a glimmer in my eyes, I put the microphone back to my lips. “And
for those of you who may not know this. Someone very special here today shares
my birthday. My grandmother, Rose, doesn’t like to brag, but she’s also a year
older today.”
A loud applause sounds around the room and people
from all directions shout “Happy Birthday, Rose!”
Rose rolls her eyes as she yanks the microphone
from me and then gives the crowd a curtsy.
For the next hour, faces are appearing and
disappearing in front of me at a rapid pace. I meet people for the first time,
get re-introduced to others and things don’t calm down until I notice the
number of guests beginning to dwindle. Alec is one of the last guests to leave.
“You taking off too?” I ask Alec once we’re alone
again. His parents have left and we are now standing in the foyer saying our
goodbyes.
“Yeah, a bunch of us are meeting up at the Island
Grille tonight. You should come with me, get to know some people. I’m sure
we’ll play some pool.” He smirks. “And Iris and Ava will be there.” He laughs
now.
I smirk. “Thanks. I’d love to but I really should
stay and help clean up.” Really, I’m just anxious to find out what is going on
with me.
Alec nods, silently letting me know he understands,
and then leans forward to hug me. Suddenly I’m wishing for more. A kiss on the
cheek follows and when he leans back from me his expression is as surprised as
mine. Did he mean to do that? It sure seems like he didn’t. Did I
just get my wish? What an amazing birthday.
“Thank you for coming,” I say now. A shout for joy
plays in my head. “I don’t know if I could have survived this day without you.”
“You would have been
fine. But I’m glad I came.” He turns to leave but stops and looks over his
shoulder back at me. “One thing.” My heart skips a beat, anticipating what
he’ll say next. “Next time. I better get an invitation.”
“Everything was wonderful. Thank you for the party, Rose.”
Rose
and I have finally taken a seat in the great room after everyone has left,
exhausted from the long day. I’ve relaxed since my disappearing act earlier,
but I’m still anxious to get answers from Rose.
“You
are welcome, dear.” She lets out a deep breath then a smile. “Well, it’s time
to open your gifts. Charlotte!” The power behind my grandmother’s voice is
surprising. I want to tell her to stop. I don’t want my
continues. “Many of you have joined in our Solstice celebrations over the years
but this has been a day to remember. I’m so delighted to see some new faces
here.” Again, thunderous applause ensues.
I smile alongside her, wanting for everyone to make
their exit so I can finally talk to Rose and get some answers.
“Alright, I’ll get off the mic. I’ll let Katrina
say a few words to all of you now.”
Rose hands me the microphone with a bright smile.
As if reading my thoughts, she whispers. “Just thank everyone for coming,
dear.”
I take the microphone from her hands, panic rising
in my chest. I turn to the large group that stares back at me with hungry eyes,
waiting to devour my words. Usually in a moment like this, being put on the
spot would terrify me. But, I suddenly don’t feel scared. I don’t freeze. I do
wonder what I’m supposed to say to all of these strangers. I scan the crowd
quickly for Alec and am grateful for his presence and comforting silent support
as he smiles at me.
“Thank you all so much for coming.” I scan the room
again, this time with a confidence that surprises even me. “I couldn’t have
asked for a more positive welcome to your community and I look forward to knowing
each and every one of you. Just – forgive me if I can’t remember all of
your names right away.”
Laughter fills the air again. I laugh myself,
surprised that I can find humor in this situation. “Thank you.”
A pleased Rose reaches for the microphone, but I’m
not done. With a glimmer in my eyes, I put the microphone back to my lips. “And
for those of you who may not know this. Someone very special here today shares
my birthday. My grandmother, Rose, doesn’t like to brag, but she’s also a year
older today.”
A loud applause sounds around the room and people
from all directions shout “Happy Birthday, Rose!”
Rose rolls her eyes as she yanks the microphone
from me and then gives the crowd a curtsy.
For the next hour, faces are appearing and
disappearing in front of me at a rapid pace. I meet people for the first time,
get re-introduced to others and things don’t calm down until I notice the
number of guests beginning to dwindle. Alec is one of the last guests to leave.
“You taking off too?” I ask Alec once we’re alone
again. His parents have left and we are now standing in the foyer saying our
goodbyes.
“Yeah, a bunch of us are meeting up at the Island
Grille tonight. You should come with me, get to know some people. I’m sure
we’ll play some pool.” He smirks. “And Iris and Ava will be there.” He laughs
now.
I smirk. “Thanks. I’d love to but I really should
stay and help clean up.” Really, I’m just anxious to find out what is going on
with me.
Alec nods, silently letting me know he understands,
and then leans forward to hug me. Suddenly I’m wishing for more. A kiss on the
cheek follows and when he leans back from me his expression is as surprised as
mine. Did he mean to do that? It sure seems like he didn’t. Did I
just get my wish? What an amazing birthday.
“Thank you for coming,” I say now. A shout for joy
plays in my head. “I don’t know if I could have survived this day without you.”
“You would have been
fine. But I’m glad I came.” He turns to leave but stops and looks over his
shoulder back at me. “One thing.” My heart skips a beat, anticipating what
he’ll say next. “Next time. I better get an invitation.”
“Everything was wonderful. Thank you for the party, Rose.”
Rose
and I have finally taken a seat in the great room after everyone has left,
exhausted from the long day. I’ve relaxed since my disappearing act earlier,
but I’m still anxious to get answers from Rose.
“You
are welcome, dear.” She lets out a deep breath then a smile. “Well, it’s time
to open your gifts. Charlotte!” The power behind my grandmother’s voice is
surprising. I want to tell her to stop. I don’t want my
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