“Here ya go, Raven.” Denise said as she brought her cakes out of the case. “I made a little extra something special for you to take home and have it whenever you feel like it. It’s a special cake full of chocolate mousse, raspberry filling and a crunchy brittle in between the layers. Refrigerate it because it’s got a real special French Silk butter cream frosting on the outside.” Denise said as she saw the two available Barista’s come around from behind the counter to look at the cake.
“We have cards for you.” Thomas said as he and Bernice handed her their cards. The others are from the rest of the gang. Raven was pleasantly shocked. She gave everyone a big and quick hug since they were working.
“Thank you guys! I‘m so appreciative, happy, tears could flow, but that would ruin my mascara, so I can’t.” She took a napkin from the counter and dabbed the inside of her eyes.
“You better still know us when you’re a big executive with some huge corporation.” Julie said.
“I will never forget my favorite Barista’s working their way through college. And let’s only hope I’m some big executive someday.” More laughter came.
She paid for her cake and lifted the two bags that held her birthday-party cake, gift-cake and cards from everyone. “You guys are so special. I really thank you for remembering me like this. I’m going to read them when I go home as I sit in my sun-room.” Everyone was still waving, saying congratulation’s and happy birthday until she was out the door Thomas was holding open for her.
That shop has got to be a one in a million. No one does stuff like that for commoners like me anymore. I’m so touched and happy. It’s a great Saturday for a birthday BBQ. She she sang all the way home.
As she finished reading the last card, she was startled to hear the front door open with the loud thunderous voice of her brother blaring through the house. He spoke loudly so she would know he was there.
“The sun is shining, it’s my sister’s birthday, she’s finished with her university studies, and I found the best steaks in the world just for her. Anyone home?” He yelled as he looked as if he didn’t see her sitting in the sunroom.
Laughing, she came into the kitchen where he had landed with his arms full of groceries, mostly steaks and seasonings.
“I’m right here behind you.” She laughed because he jumped...it was his turn to be startled.
“Hey, Kiddo! Happy Birthday to you.” He kissed her on the cheek with his hands full of bags.
“Thank you for bringing the best steaks on the planet. I heard every word you said. I’m salivating already.” She poked her face in a sack to see what was in it.
“Just spices in that sack. I wasn’t sure what you had.”
“Oh, that was smart of you since you know how much I cook.”
“How did you do on your last final?”
“I think I did good, but the grades will be the final say.”
“With your brains, I’m not worried.” He said confidently. “I’m proud of you for sticking with it Others would have quit under the pressure.”
“You’ve always believed in me. That’s half of why I’ve done so well. I’m not praising you any longer or you’ll get a big head.” She jested. “Aww, you will. I have faith in you.” His turn to tease her.
“My goodness, that’s a lot of steaks.”
“Yep, I bought extra so we can have the left-overs for Philly Cheese-steak sandwiches on Monday night.”
Her eyes rolled with delight.
“I have a reason for wanting a Monday celebration. It’s an extended birthday and finishing school celebration of sorts with just the two of us.” He looked like the cat that swallowed the canary and she had to find out why.
“That sounds wonderful to me. Is there a special reason for an extended celebration other than you wanting us to enjoy your world-famous sandwiches?”
Being finished with school, she was intent on looking for better work. At least one that was more in tune with her schooling and normal working hours would be really nice. Normal anything would be nice.
“Yeah, I have a special reason, and when my hands are not full and my mind is not busy, I’ll reveal it to you.” He was seasoning the steaks.
“This is getting more interesting by the second.” She said.
“Oh, hey! What do you think of my two Birthday cakes?” She asked him. He turned to look as she was showing them to him.
“This one is a Birthday gift from Denise, so I’ll save it for us to enjoy on Monday evening by ourselves.” Boomer’s eyes exposed his pleasure and his smile said the rest. “This one is the cake for today.” She lifted the Birthday cake for him to see.
“I love them both. That was really nice of Denise to do that for you, what flavor is the cake for today?”
“Is there anything other than chocolate that would be adequate for us on my big day? We don’t care what the others like.” They both laughed like they did when they were little kids.
“The Barista’s gave me birthday and graduation cards. This one is hand-made by Jenny and is probably my favorite because the time spent is a gift in itself.” She looked at it for a few more seconds and put it with the rest on the counter.
“Speaking of gifts,” Boomer interrupted, “I will now tell you that I have a very special, very unusual, very opportunistic gift that could completely change your life.” He was washing his hands and reaching for a towel, hoping to entice her curiosity.
Handing him a couple of paper towels, she said, “You have my complete attention with the ‘could change my life part’.” Her eyes grew big in anticipation. Is it a very big corporate job offer?” She teased.
“Not quite.” He reached inside his shirt pocket and pulled out something very slowly with the intention of building anticipation.
“Yes, a birthday card…Yippee. My life is changing by the second already. I have an added birthday card to add to my collection.” She said clapping her hands and jumping up and down for the show. “You just wait for the rest of it,” he said chuckling as he gave her the card.
“Now remember, this gigantic gift, from your gigantic, big hearted, brother will cause you to love me forever if it’s a go. If it’s a dud, you’ll still love me because it’s the thought that counts. Remember that!”
She opened the card and
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