A Very Merry Unbirthday To Julia

 

When Beth first and then Jessie came into the house, they woke everyone up. Jessie set up the new crib and Beth took some groceries into the kitchen. Next Beth nursed her daughter and then made a nice sandwich for Julia. Then the adults all had coffee and a good discussion about the future.

    “I know what I would like to do in the near future,” said Aunt Julia. “I would like to have a birthday party!”
    The whole family, including Billy and Honda, were sitting around the little living room after dinner. They had been talking about things they would like to do now that they could afford to do them thanks to the extremely generous gift from Beth’s parents.
    “Oh, whose birthday are we talking about here Aunt Julia,” said Jessie from the floor where he was fooling around with Honda and Billy to entertain Emmy.
    “Mine,” said Julia firmly.
    “When is it,” asked Beth.
    “Well, I don’t really know,” said Julia. “I was very young at the time, and I don’t remember.” She was laughing at her little joke. “But it was some time around 1940. I’m getting a little bit old I think.”
    “If you want to have a birthday party Auntie dear, a birthday party you shall have,” said Jessie hopping up off the floor and taking a chair. “Who would you like to attend your party?”
    “Let’s see, besides you three, Ben Sr and Jr and Rosa, that’s Ben’s wife. I want that doctor to come too, the one who was supposed to deliver Emmy, but got stuck on the road and couldn’t come. Hm. Pete, who used to buy John’s gold. Sarah, and the two boys. I think that’s about all we can get in here,” said Julia.
    “It’ll be tight, but a lot of us can sit on the floor if we have to. What day would you like to have this party,” asked Jessie.
    “Today is Sunday, so let’s do it Saturday coming up,” said Julia. “I will call Sarah and Ben. Jessie will you get ahold of Pete Tso and Beth will you call Dr. Miller and convince her to come?” These details were agreed on and discussion of party food, and a cake came next.
    “Let’s get a cake from a bakery,” said Beth, “a big fancy one!”
    “That’s a nice idea Beth. There is a really good country bakery, but they are quite a way from here. I think the Walmart bakery in Winslow should be fine. I hear really good things about them. You shouldn’t have to drive all over for a cake.” 

*0*

    When Saturday came Jessie drove in early to the Winslow Walmart to pick up the big birthday cake. Matteo and Dawn did a beautiful job. It was a lemon cake with raspberry filling and cream cheese frosting, decorated with the words “Happy Birthday Aunt Julia.” They hadn’t felt like getting creative with it.
    While he was tucking it into a cardboard box on the seat of the pickup and putting the seatbelt around the box, he was approached by a woman. She had a question. She was a little lost here in Arizona.
    “Somebody told me that there was a cute little highway heading north, 77, and I missed it. My daughter usually navigates, but she dropped off to sleep and we missed it somehow.”
    “Oh, sure,” said Jessie, “I’m going back that way, why don’t you just follow me?”
    He hopped in the old blue pickup. She hopped in her rental and they both took off heading roughly east. She followed him when he made the left turn onto the smaller highway.
    When he got to Julia’s driveway, he stopped by the mailbox to wave to the woman and her daughter who was awake by now, naturally. She rolled down her window and said, “tell Beth that her friends in Washington are well and say they are happy that she is here with you Jessie. They hope she will stay here and be happy and at peace!”
    “Do you know us…,” said Jessie slowly.
    “Oh, yeah, a little bit. Take care! It was good to meet you Jessie!” And she drove on up the highway with a big friendly wave out the window of the car.
    Jessie drove the pickup softly down the dusty old driveway, with the cake in a box and wonder in his mind. He parked and carried the cake into the house. Beth and Julia were very busy, so he didn’t say anything to them about his odd experience.
    Sarah and the boys arrived first. After that, Sarah more or less took charge of preparations. Julia and Beth smiled and let Sarah rule.
    Soon the little mobile house was full of people. Everyone laughed because some of them knew when Julia’s birthday really was, but they didn’t tell. Everyone wished her a happy birthday, whenever it was!
    Julia said she had some announcements to make now that everyone was there.

They haven't taken my phone yet.docx