The day flew by, and I couldn’t help feeling happy. It was really happening! Clarice was okay with me going to Vancouver by myself! I would be able to leave a note for Andy El, and it would be okay.
All afternoon, people kept coming and going to and from my stand, keeping me busy. I was surprised how many people from the trailer park came back for a second glass of lemonade, just to wish me another happy birthday. It really kept me hopping. I had to refill my jug three times after lunch.
And then, finally, Andy El came over about five o’clock and told me it was time to shut down the stand, as she had another surprise for me.
I don’t think I’d ever packed up that stand as fast as I did then. When I had washed the jug and all of the glasses, put the jam away on the porch table, returned the now-empty cupcake tin to Mrs. Marshall, and put the tablecloth away, I washed my face and hands at Andy El’s. I looked into the mirror at my reflection and inspected my face. I didn’t look any different than yesterday.
“I can go to Vancouver and find my dad, and I don’t have to sneak away,” I whispered to my image, and I grinned at myself.
I smoothed my hair down and straightened my shirt. I was ready for my surprise.
Andy El tied a scarf around my eyes to blindfold me, and then she carefully led me down the steps and outside her trailer, around to the back yard.
“Okay now, Truly, you get ready!” she said, and she untied the scarf. I looked around in surprise.
There, hidden behind the back of the trailer so I hadn’t seen from my lemonade stand, was a fire pit all laid out with rocks around it. All Andy El’s kitchen chairs were out in a ring around it, and there were other some chairs that I didn’t recognize.
There was a bouquet of flowers on the worktable, and I recognized some of Mrs. Williams’s roses.
“Oh,” I breathed. “Oh,” was all I could say.
“We’re havin’ a party, Truly! For you!” Andy El said proudly. “Me and Raymond set this all up today. Raymond will be back, and Esther, and Agnes and Linda, and Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Marshall. We’re gonna have hot dogs, and Mrs. Williams is bringin’ potato salad, Mrs. Marshall is bringin’ some homemade pickles, and Esther and the girls, they spent today makin’ you a birthday cake!”
I couldn’t help it. I started to cry. I just hung on to Andy El and sobbed like an idiot. And all I could say was,“Oh, Andy El …” over and over again.
No one had ever done anything like this for me before. Not that I could remember, anyway.
Andy El just kept patting me on the back, saying, “Oh Truly, my Truly,” over and over again.
And then she finally said, “Enough of that crying, girl! All right now, go wash that face again and come back with a party face on! Everybody’ll be here soon!”
I ran in to Andy El’s to wash and to find some clean clothes to put on. I felt almost giddy. When I came back outside, I could see that Raymond had driven Esther and the girls over. They were getting out of the truck, and Esther was carefully carrying a plate with a big chocolate cake on it, with icing and candles all ready to light.
I suddenly felt real shy, but when Agnes and Linda raced over and yelled, “Happy birthday, Truly!” and “Surprise!” I couldn’t help but start to grin like an idiot again.
Esther put the cake down on the table and gave me a big hug. “Happy birthday, Truly!” she said, smiling.
Even Raymond gave me a quick hug and, with a grin, said, “Happy birthday! I sure hope you were surprised, Truly. Andy El’s been making us work like the dickens to get this all ready for you!”
Mrs. Williams arrived with a big bowl of potato salad, and Mrs. Marshall came over with a plate of pickles. Raymond started sharpening the ends of the long branches he had cut for hot dog sticks, while Andy El lit the fire in the new fire pit.
And so, I had my very first birthday party ever. We laughed and cooked and ate hot dogs, potato salad, and homemade pickles.
And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, Elvis arrived. With a big tub of ice cream for everybody. And he brought his guitar.
“It’s Neapolitan ice cream,” he explained. “I didn’t know what your favorite flavor was, so this way you can have all three: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry!”
“I don’t know what my favorite flavor is either!” I blurted out, and we all laughed.
“Looks like you got the right one, then, Aaron,” said Raymond.