Surprise!

As you and Elsie get into your car after the final check up, both feeling on top of the world, you begin to drive but not for home.

“Where are we going?” El asks when she notices.

“You’ll see.” You wink. “A little surprise.”

“Jesse! No! That’s not fair, I didn’t do anything for you.”

“Shhh.” You smile.

Her confusion only grows as you pull up and park in front of the apartment building. “What? What is this place?”

“It’s Allison’s place. I need to pick something up.” You shut off the engine. “Want to come up and say hi?”

“Oh…uh, sure.”

You’d borrowed the key from Allie earlier that day so with Elsie following you lead her through the front door and up to your girlfriend’s condo.

“Nice place.” El says as you walked down the hall.

“Yeah. Allie’s folks are loaded. She actually owns the suite.”

“Huh. She won’t mind us popping in?”

“Nah, it’s cool.” Stopping at Allie’s door you unbolt it and swing it wide. “After you.”

“Oh! Uh, yeah.” Elsie steps through the door with trepidation and peers down the hall. “Is she home?”

“Not sure.” You shrug as you step in behind her and close the door. “Allie?” You call out into the dim quiet apartment to no answer. “I guess she’s out.”

Waving her forward you say. “Make yourself at home. I won’t be long.”

Elsie moves forward slowly, looking around at Allison’s decor, then nearly jumps out of her skin when she rounds the corner to the living room and the lights all flare to life.

“SURPRISE!” You and five female voices sing out as one.

“Wh-what!?” Elsie exclaims as she is showered with well wishes and happy birthdays. “But…it’s not my birthday.”

“Which really makes it a surprise.” You quip as you come in beside her and put your arm around her shoulders.

Elsie’s best friend Zoey Beckett, a bubbly bouncy blonde girl with the intelligence of a canary, hurries forward to give Elsie a big hug. “You shoulda told me it wasn’t your birthday! Happy not-birthday!”

Stepping forward you introduce the others to your little sister. “El, you know Allison of course.”

Allison smiles and gives El a friendly nod. “Hey El.”

“Hi Allie.” Elsie says shyly.

“And this is Shonice.” You say as you motion to the pretty black girl. “And Mei.” You indicate the petite though athletic looking Asian woman beside her. “Allison’s tennis pals from back in her hometown. They’re in town for a few days.”

“N-nice to meet you.” Elsie says in a nervous voice, overwhelmed by this all.

“And this.” You say with a flourish as you present the stunning emerald eyed red head hovering near the back of the room. “This is my friend Casey.”

“Casey Devlin?” Elsie says with a smile. “Jesse’s told me about you.”

“Only good things I hope.” Casey lilts in that honey smooth voice of hers. You wouldn’t know it to see the slim fiery haired beauty but Casey was a him and a her all in one, though usually more comfortable with the latter. You’d met her a couple months ago and the pair of you hit it off instantly. Already you considered her one of your closest friends. She steps forward and with a dainty touch shakes Elsie’s hand. “A pleasure to meet you at last.”

“Um, thank you. Thanks everyone.” Elsie turns her dark eyes on you. “You did this? What is this all about?”

“A girl’s night out!” Allison answers for you as she slips up against you. “Jesse told us his shy little sister wanted to bust loose and have some fun.”

“And we’re all about fun, hun.” Shonice winks. “We’re letting loose tonight!”

“Oh…uh…oh my…”

“We have the whole night planned.” Mei adds with a teasing wave your way. “Just the girls. No men allowed.”

“Yeah!” Zoey chimes in too loudly waggling a finger at you. “No boys allowed!” Then scrambles to add as if she had offended you. “But we still like boys!”

Allie continues. “Sushi, karaoke, some drinks, dancing…” There is a pause as Allison, once again, gives you that strange look at the odd request you’d made of her. “…starting with swimming, for some reason.” Allie’s blue eyes search El. “Have you really never been swimming before?”

“You’ll love it.” Zoey peeps excitedly. “We’re hitting the water slides!”

“I might sit that one out.” Casey says politely.

There is a moment of silence as El processes it all.

“Swimming? Girls night out?” She says in a hushed voice bordering on disbelief. You could see a glimmer of tears in her deep dark eyes. “Swimming?”

Picking up the brightly wrapped gift you’d left here for her you offer it to your sister and gaze into her, love pouring forth from you. “Happy birthday Elsie.”

It was a birthday. This was the first day of the rest of Elsie’s life. She, in a very real way, had been reborn this week. As she opens the box to see a pair of tight women’s blue jeans inside she breaks down completely. Tears of happiness flowing freely she gasps. “Oh Jesse!”

You move forward and embrace her in a big enveloping hug as her arms wrap tight around your chest. She cannot contain herself as she cries and laughs into your chest as the others, not quite sure what was happening but recognizing the unabashed joy and personal importance of the moment, stand and wait. Giving this time to you and your very happy little sister.