In the Middle of Nowhere by Julie Ann Knudsen Page A

my
throat.
    Brian and his humungous hand stopped me
before I could open the front door.
    “Here, birthday girl. Let me get that for
you.”
    I walked in and Brian gave our name to the
young hostess. She smiled warmly up at him. I assumed she knew him,
along with everybody else on the island. Apparently, Mr. Brian
Roberts was the most sought after fifth grade teach over at Orchard
Elementary School and, for the life of me, I couldn’t imagine
why.
    My mother and brother quickly scrambled
inside behind us before being ushered toward a small, private room
in the back of the restaurant. The lighting inside the main dining
room was very dim, so we had to maneuver carefully past the
overflowing tables. I couldn’t figure out how we jumped ahead of
all the other people who were anxiously waiting to be seated. I was
just so thankful not to be one of them.
    The four of us stood outside the little room
in back and waited while our hostess knocked on its closed door.
Why would she be knocking, I wondered? Did it mean that other
diners were in there and we’d have to be jammed together with
them?
    The hostess finally opened the door and
stepped aside so we could enter. My mother gently pushed me forward
so that I stood beyond the threshold alone. The room was pitch
black. All of a sudden, bright lights burst on and I was
temporarily blinded as a choir of unexpected voices shouted out,
“Surprise!”
    I stood there, stunned, and was overcome with
joy as my teary eyes feasted upon a room full of friends and
streamers, sweet sixteen signs and dozens of pink balloons, all in
honor of me and the sixteenth anniversary of the very special day
on which I was born.

CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
     
     
     
     
    The night of my surprise sweet-sixteen
birthday party had been a whirlwind. My friends lined up to greet
me and to wish me a happy birthday. I couldn’t believe my mother
had arranged a surprise party for me and that I had no idea about
it whatsoever.
    Taylor came up to me first and apologized. “I
felt so bad yesterday having to cancel our plans at the last
minute, but we wanted to surprise you.”
    Erica added, “None of us thought that you
ever should have planned your own birthday party, so we called your
mom and she helped us arrange something even better!”
    I smiled with appreciation, “Thank you.”
    Megan and Victoria also told me how guilty
they felt canceling our plans the night before, even though they
knew it was for a good reason.
    There were ten girls, in total, and we had
the room completely to ourselves. My mom, brother and Brian were
going to leave and sit at a table in the main dining. Before they
left, James, as usual, protested.
    “Why can’t we stay in here with Willow?”
    “I’m sure your sister would rather be alone
with her friends tonight,” my mom said as she pulled him by the
scruff of his neck.
    My mother gave me a hug and a peck on the
cheek. “Have fun, dear.”
    I hugged my mother back. “Thanks, Mom. I
will.”
    My friends and I ate delicious Italian food,
gabbed, laughed and even gossiped. When it was time, they gave me
their full attention as I opened each of their gifts. We finished
the night with my favorite, double chocolate cake with chocolate
frosting. I savored the moment as my friends gathered around me and
sang, “Happy Birthday.” To me, for the first time in a very long
time, it really was.
    • • •
    I thanked each of my guests as their rides
arrived to pick them up. Some of the lucky girls even drove their
own cars to the party. I envied them and hoped my mom would let me
get my permit soon.
    My mom paid the bill as Brian stood beside
her and the waitress. I thanked my mother, again, by hugging her
even tighter this time.
    “You’re very welcome, Willow. I’m glad you
had a nice time.”
    Brian drove us home and I actually thanked
him, too, for giving us a ride. I was so happy, I felt like I was
walking on air.
    The three of us stood at the front door while
my mother unlocked it.