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P.O.W.E.R.* Girl V - Ch. 04 - Robert's Birthday Brunch

by Tonja Taylor
7/24/2023 / Short Stories

“Rob, we need to go visit Ms. Sophia for a little bit,” said his mother, as he finished his math.

“Oh!” he said, jumping up, causing Vivace to jump up too. She barked at him. “I’ll go get my drawing!” He quickly walked out, and Pearl heard him bounding up the stairs.

Pearl picked up her dog. “It’s OK,” she soothed, as she petted her gently. “He’s just being Robert!”

“Careful!” their mother called to him, but then she laughed. “I don’t know how he takes the stairs two at a time, with those short little legs!”

Pearl nodded, and whispered, “Is she having a surprise party for him?”

“Yes!” her mother whispered, nodding. “She and Xi are preparing a birthday brunch, so we can have some fun and get back for afternoon classes.”

“Great!” Pearl said, her voice still low. “I wish Robin and Lucas and Ms. Risa could be here."

“I'm sure they would love to be here, but you know they're at school, and it was a spontaneous decision of Ms. Sophia last night to have his party today. Too short a notice for them to get out of school. Next year, though, you will all be there!"

Yes! thought Pearl. It's a little scary, but a lot exciting! "I still don't know what to get him," Pearl said. "Maybe I can make up a poem or something---what do you think, Queen Mother?"

You’ll figure it out,” her mother replied, as Robert zipped back into the room.

“Ready!” he said, holding up his picture. “See? Ms. Sophia will love this!”

Pearl looked at his drawing. This is pretty good, she thought. “Wow, Rob, is this Ms. Sophia hugging you, and Jesus holding you both?”

He beamed. “Yep! You got it, Sissie!” He hugged her hard.

“You are a good artist, Son,” his mother said. “She will love this! Now, you kids get in the car—”

“I get to ride in the front today!” Robert interrupted.

“OK,” said Pearl, and smiled. “It is your special day.” She put Vivace down, and they walked out. He insisted on opening the door himself, and getting in. “I’m a big boy,” he said, trying to fasten the seatbelt.

Pearl didn’t say anything. I’m not going to be rude to my little brother, she thought. She could hear him struggling with the belt. “Do you want me to help you, Rob?” she asked gently.

He sighed. “I guess! Stupid belt!”

About that time, their mother opened the other back door, and put a sack in the seat. “What’s the matter?”

“This belt won’t work right!” said Robert.

She got in and leaned over. “Oh, Rob, you just had it upside down.” She clicked it, and made sure it wasn’t too tight, then kissed him on the head. “Are you going to have a smile for Ms. Sophia and Xi?”

He nodded. “Yep! They make me happy! And I’m special to Ms. Sophia!”

“You’re special to us, too, Rob,” said Pearl, sweetly. Thank You, Jesus, for helping me be nice! She thought. She caught her mother’s smile in the rear view mirror.

“That’s right!” said their mother, and drove up the hill to Ms. Sophia’s house.

They knocked on the door, and Xi answered. She wore a sparkly purple top, and had makeup on. There were balloons over the door, with purple glitter on them.

“Wow, balloons! You look so pretty and that’s my favorite color!” said Rob, and gave her a sweet attack hug, then ran past her to find Ms. Sophia.

“Yes, you do!’ said Pearl, hugging her.

Pearl’s mother nodded. “Yes, Xi, purple is your color, and here are the items you asked me to bring.” She handed her the sack, and gave her a hug.

Xi smiled, and pointed to Ms. Sophia, who sat in her chair, surrounded by helium balloons and several wrapped gifts. Hanging on the wall was a banner that said, “Feliz noveno cumpleanos!”

Robert pointed to the sign. “What’s that?”

Ooh, I think I can do this, thought Pearl, walking in. “It says ‘Happy ninth birthday’ in Spanish, Rob!”

“Correcto!” said Ms. Sophia. “Muy bien, Pearl! Very good!” she said, and hugged Robert, as he stood next to her.

Wow, Xi seems peaceful and happy! thought Pearl, walking in. Thank You, LORD! Something smells really good, too!

“Hello, Charlotte. Hello, Pearl.” said Ms. Sophia. “Thank you for coming to Robert’s party!”

Robert pointed with his finger and made a huge circle. “She said all this is for me!”

Ms. Sophia hugged him again. “Because you are special, Robert!”

He nodded. “Yep! I’m special!”

Xi and Pearl and her mother echoed, “Yes, you are!”

“Oh, where’s Uncle Burt?” Robert said, looking worried. “We forgot him!”

They heard a booming laugh from the kitchen. “I’m right here, Rob!” he said, walking into the living room, and carrying a huge, square deep-dish pizza. He set it in the middle of the oversized coffee table, already filled with treats and salad. “This is our first course!” he said.

“My brother, the gourmet cook!” said Pearl’s mother. “Thanks, Burt, I know it will be good,” she said.

“Hey, Uncle Burt!” said Robert. “There’s a candle in this pizza!”

“Yes, of course,” said his uncle, and chuckled. “It is the number nine, ‘cause you turn nine today!”

“But don’t it go in the cake?” Robert asked. “Will it burn the pizza?”

“Doesn’t it go,” corrected Pearl. “No, you get to blow it out, remember? Let’s sing ‘Happy Birthday’!”

“Yes, and make a wish!” said Ms. Sophia.

Robert closed his eyes tight as they sang, then blew out the candle, smiled, and took a bow. They all laughed.

“What did you wish, Robert?” asked Ms. Sophia.

“I want a pet!” he said. “A bird that talks funny!”

“If it talks like you, it’ll be funny,” said Pearl.

“Huh?” Robert said, looking at the pizza.

“Can I help, Burt?” their mother asked, smiling, but giving Pearl a slight warning look, as Xi handed out purple plates, forks and knives, and napkins to everyone.

“No Sis, you’re a guest,” he replied. “Have a seat, and tell me what you want to drink.”

“Cool purple eating stuff!” said Robert. “Thanks, Ms. Sophia!”

“Es un placer, Robert,” she replied, and patted his head. “You are a good boy.”

He looked puzzled. “What are those first words you said?”

I think I can do this too, thought Pearl. Let’s see… “Oh, I think I know,” said Pearl. Does that mean, ‘It’s a pleasure’?”

“Si, exactamente!” said Ms. Sophia, and gave her a thumbs up. “You are making progress!”

Pearl smiled. “You are a good teacher!”

They all sat down. Robert pulled his chair next to Ms. Sophia, and when all the food was ready, Burt said, “Let’s pray!”

As they bowed their heads, Burt prayed, “Dear Father, we thank You for this special day, to celebrate Your special son, Robert! You give us all these good things—”

“Yeah!” Robert interrupted. “Pizza and salad and fruit and cookies ice cream and peanut butter chocolate balls and taffy and chips and dips and deviled eggs and cokes and chocolate milk, and—”

“Yes, LORD,” continued his uncle, making his voice louder over Robert’s, “Robert and all of us are so thankful for Your sweetness, and Your supply. All good things come from You! It is written in Your Word that You bless our food and water, and take sickness and disease away from us, so please cause this food to bless our bodies—as much as possible—and help this whole celebration to be to Your glory. In Jesus name, amen!”

Pearl’s mother laughed, looking at the food. “Yes, as much as possible is right!”

“Well, most of it is certified organic!” he said, and laughed. “Okay, guys, let’s dig in. The ice cream is in the freezer, for dessert with the cake after Robert opens his gifts, but we’ll have some games too."

“Wow, all these gifts are for me?” Robert said, looking at the pile of brightly-wrapped boxes and purple sacks on the ornate cabinet against the wall.

“Xi, please turn on the music, so we can listen while we eat,” said Ms. Sophia.

Soon, they heard silly songs in the background. Robert laughed, and started to tap his foot.

Pearl giggled, and felt very warm and peaceful inside, as she heard the others sing and laugh with her little brother. Thank You, LORD, for healing all our hearts! she thought. Even Xi seems very happy today! As Queen Mother says, look what You, LORD, have done!

Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. They lift Him up in books (P.O.W.E.R. Girl!; LEGACY; Visions of the King; Your Holy Health; more); presentations; service in church, community, and the world; and via the "River Rain Creative" (309 videos) and "POWERLight Learning" You Tube channels.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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