Birthday Blues

Birthday Blues.

Carien walked around the room as she set up the last of the decorations. Today was her girlfriend Sarah’s birthday, and since this would be the first they would spend together, Carien wanted to make it memorable for Sarah. She was due to come back from spending time with her brother later today, so it was the perfect time to spring a surprise party on her.

Carien crossed her arms. “Everything is looking good. All that is left to do is call everyone to come over.” She pulled out her phone. “Hello? Tess?

It’s Carien. Remember that thing I told you about a week ago.” She walked over to the doorway. “It’s today.” Carien crossed her arms. “Well, make time. It’s Sarah’s birthday. Everyone else is going to try and make it. Sheesh.” She hung up. “Some people.”

She walked into the kitchen and sat down. “I better see about finding someone to get the food and drink. I don’t have time to run out and get anything before guests arrive.” Carien picked up the phone. “This is going to be a long day.”

Before she could send out the call, there was a sudden knock at her door. Carien turned her head. “Just a moment.” She set the phone down on the counter and walked towards the door.  I hope Sarah isn’t home early. I told her brother to keep her busy today.

She opened the door to see Pam and Gregory on the other side. Gregory walked in and set his coat on the coat rack. “Nice to see you out of work, Carien.” He stretched his arms. “So I heard you are having a party.”

Carien looked at Pam. “I didn’t invite him.”

She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “I had to tell him.”

“Why?”

She laughed. “Because we just started dating. I couldn’t just tell my new boyfriend not to come to a party, right?” She walked inside and shut the door.

Carien narrowed her eyes as she turned around. “Boyfriend? You are dating?”

“Yes. Isn’t Gregory the sweetest person you have ever met before?” Pam turned around and walked towards the living room. “Oh, Gregory.”

Carien shuddered at the words.  How can anyone find him pleasant? Sarah isn’t going to be happy to see him here.

There was another knock at the door. Carien opened it to see a young man she didn’t recognize with a rather round figure and brown hair. “Umm, can I help you?”

“Yes, my name is Patrick. I am here for the party.”

“And who told you about this?”

“Tess. We are in a Dungeon Delvers group together.” Carien stared at him. “I have played with Sarah for almost two years now. Has she not mentioned me until now?”

Carien shook her head. “No. Never heard of you.”

“You have got to be kidding me.” He looked down at the ground. “Look, can I come in? I was promised I could attend this party.”

Carien tilted her head to the left. “You sure you know Sarah?”

“Of course.”

“Fine. Come on in.”

“Thank you.” He hopped inside and flipped his shoes off. “I will go and check-in with the others.”

Carien clenched her fist. “I didn’t say take off your. . .” She shook her head. “Ugh, never mind.” She walked back over to the counter and blinked her blue eyes. “Now to figure out where Tess is.” She picked up the phone and dialed. “You better be on the way.”

The phone began to ring, and she held it up to her ear. A few moments later, Tess picked up.  “Hello?”

“Tess, where are you?”

“Almost there. I had to find the perfect thing for the party.”

“What perfect thing?”

“Hey, now it’s a surprise. You know, a surprise party and all.”

Carien ran her finger along her brow. “I know that. But Sarah is the one being surprised today. You can tell me as I am planning everything.”

“Hey. I want this to be a surprise for everyone. Won’t it be fun that way? See you in umm ten to fifteen minutes tops.”

“Tess.” The line went dead, and Carien pulled at a strand of her dark hair. “Ugh. This is why I liked it better when I didn’t celebrate birthdays. Things were simpler when I had a family that didn’t talk to each other.”

Pam walked into the room. “So, umm, how long do we wait around for Sarah to show up?”

“Sarah will be here within the hour. Sit tight until then.”

Pam sighed. “Ok, because Gregory wants to head out as soon as possible.”

Carien rolled her eyes. “I am sure he does.” She began to follow Pam into the other room when there was yet another knock at the door. “Ugh, one second.” Carien shook her head as she walked towards the door. “I hope this isn’t another unexpected guest.”

She opened the door to see Sarah. “Hello, Carien.” She smiled and reached out her arms to hug Carien.

“Sarah?” Carien quickly hugged her back. “You are back early.”

She stepped inside, her blue eyes scanning the room. “Yep.

I couldn’t take one more minute at my brothers' house. His kids were driving me nuts. Could you believe he wanted me to stay an extra day?” She shook her head. “I was about to take a Fredricks Fancy drink and grow into a giant just to freak him out and get out of there.”

Carien laughed. “Ya, that is funny.” She pushed on Sarah’s back and ushered her towards the door. “Now, umm, do you want to go outside for a bit? We should enjoy this wonderful weather.”

“It is thirty-five degrees out in November. I want to enjoy the nice heat of your house.” She shivered as she put her coat up. “I am not looking forward to winter.” Sarah examined the coat rack. “Do we have company?”

Carien shook her head. “No. I just went on a spending spree while you were gone.” She put on Pam’s jacket. “How do you like it?”

Sarah scratched at her head. “It is a bit baggy. Are you trying to buy stuff in case you grow?”

Carien laughed. “Yes, that it is.”

Sarah shrugged. “Well, then you should buy clothing much larger than that. You will still tear it apart. Trust me.”

Carien grabbed her arm. “Still, I don’t think we should go in the next room.” She lowered her voice. “Or talk about changing in size.”

Sarah pulled her arm away. “Carien, what has gotten into you? You are just like my brother today.” She rolled her eyes. “Look, I am going into the next room to watch reruns of The Telson Show. I want to enjoy my birthday. Now, do you want to come in and watch the show with me?”

“I umm.”

The door swung open, and Tess walked in. “I and here with the food.” Her green eyes opened wide as she noticed Sarah. “Oh, hey Sarah. Nice to see you.”

Sarah crossed her arms. “Carien, what is going on?”

“Look, I wanted to do something special for your birthday and surprise you.” She shrugged. “I told your brother to keep you over a few more hours so we could get things ready.”

“I said we didn’t have to do anything today. Besides, you kept me tied up with my monster nephews for longer than I would have liked. I love my brother to death, but his kids need to learn some manners.” She walked up and whispered in Carien’s ear. “I had a near-death experience with them when I turned into a rabbit almost a year ago. They are monsters.”

“Ok, I get it. Look, just act surprised when you go in the other room at least.”

Tess waved at Carien. “Where do you want all of the stuff I bought?”

“Just set it down. We can eat here in a moment.”

Gregory rushed into the room. “Did I hear someone say eat?” He looked at the box in Tess’s arms. “Oh my. Let me help you with that.” He grabbed the container and carried it over to the table in the middle of the kitchen. “Ymmm. Pies.”

Sarah turned towards Carien. “You invited Gregory?”

“No. I invited Pam, and she brought him.” Carien shook her face. “This is not how I wanted today to go.”

Pam and Patrick walked into the room. Pam went directly towards the food, and Patrick walked up to Sarah. “Hey. Long time no see.”

“Hey, Patrick.”

“So, umm, how was that last game, heh?” He pulled at the collar of his shirt.

“Fine, I guess.” She walked over and grabbed a piece of the pie. “Hands off, Gregory. It is my birthday; you don’t just get to eat this food willy nilly.”

Patrick sighed. “Well, that went well.”

Carien smiled at him. “You two ok?”

He smiled at her. “Yes. I just, umm, can never seem to find the way to talk to her or anyone else in the group. I thought by coming here, I would be able to get to know Sarah and Tess better.” He pulled at his arm. “Maybe I should have just stayed at home and played Lone Ranger like I normally do.”

“Hands off,” Gregory yelled. “This is my food. I don’t care if it’s your birthday or not.”

Carien turned around. “Look, if you want to stay, you will let Sarah have the first slice of the pie.”

“But. . .”

“No buts.”

“Ugh, fine.” He slumped down in his chair. “I don’t like blueberry pie much anyways.”

Sarah began to eat the piece of pie as Carien, and the others sat down. “How is it?”

Tess asked?

“Great.” She took another bite. “You should try some.”

Tess smiled. “Fine by me.” She cut herself a piece of the pie. “The lady who I bought this from told me that this was specially made.”

Carien cut her own piece. “Oh really?”

“Yep.” Tess swallowed a piece of pie. “I got it from a strange store. One that I have been to before, but how I got there, I can’t remember.”

Carien took a bite, and her eyes went into her head. “This is soo good. It is like heaven in my mouth.”

Sarah nodded her head. “I know, right.”

Carien looked at Tess. “What is the name of the store? I want to buy some of this myself.”

Tess put her hand on her chin. “Potions R’Us.”

Carien laughed. “What a strange store name.”

“I know, right. They deal with weird things. I had to make sure and buy the right thing from there this time.”

“Why?” Pam asked. “Why would you have to be careful when making a purchase in a store for a pie like this?”

Tess shrugged, her dark hair falling down from her shoulders. “Well, last time I was there, they forced a strange potion on me that well made me grow. They sell weird things there. So I didn’t want to make the same mistake this time.”

Sarah narrowed her eyes. “Make you grow? What do you mean by that? What did you buy for me?”

Tess waved her arms as her nose began to turn blue. “The lady assured me that these blueberry pies were tasty and filling.”

Sarah stood up. “Oh, they are more than filling.”

Tess looked around. “Why are you all staring at me?”

Gregory stood up as well. “What is wrong with your face? You are turning as blue as your shirt.”

Tess stood up. “There isn’t anything wrong with my face. Who invited you anyway? I thought Sarah didn’t want you around after you fired her.”

Carien slammed her fist on the table. “Stop it.” She pointed at Gregory. “You, go in the other room.”

“But. . .”

“Now. We have enough problems without you making them worse.”

He put his blue hands in his pockets. “Fine. Whatever. But I am taking this pie with me.” He grabbed his slice and sulked into the living room.

Carien then turned back towards Tess. “Look, I know you think you did a good thing by getting us a nice blueberry pie and all.”

“It is very tasty.”

“But this pie is just going too well. . .”

“It is turning your skin blue, Tess.” Patrick blurted out. Everyone turned to look at him, and he shrugged his shoulders. “What? Someone had to say it. She is starting to look a tad sick.”

Tess looked at the back of her right hand.

“Oh my god.” She jumped up. “What is going on?”

Carien reached out and grabbed Tess’s arm. “Now, calm down. There is no need to panic.”

“But I feel weird.” Tess put her hand on her stomach. “Something feels bubbly all of a sudden.”

“Tess, you will be alright.” Carien reached out a blue arm. “Oh god, I am turning blue as well.”

Tess groaned. “You all are. Ugh, why did I have to wear a belt?” Her stomach began to expand. “I feel so full.”

Sarah stood up. “She is swelling up. Like we all will be soon.”

Pam shook her head. “I am not turning into some giant balloon blueberry thing.” She jumped to her feet. “I am getting out of here.”

Carien stood up and moved in front of Pam. “No way. You came here for Sarah’s birthday. You ate the blueberry pie. Now you stay here and turn into blueberries with the rest of us.”

“Get out of my way. I can feel juice building up inside of me, and I don’t want to be trapped in her with other blueberry people or whatever.”

Patrick stood up. “Ya, I don’t see why we should have to stay. . Ugh.” He put his hands on his stomach. “I feel so full all of a sudden.” His belly started to push outward.

Pam looked back at Carien. “Let me out before I start swelling like those two.”

Carien pointed down. “You already are.”

She looked down. “Huh? Oh no.” She saw her waist to be twice its size, and she fell to the floor. “Stop.” She pressed on her skin. “Get out of me.”

Carien felt the juices inside her body swell as she walked over to Sarah, who was just beginning to grow herself. “Sarah, I am sorry.”

“For what? Turning my birthday into a blueberry party?”

Carien nodded as her waistline began to push out and her pants slid down her massive legs. “Sorry about that.”

Sarah laughed. “It’s fine. It is still better than being trapped at my brothers with his kids.” Then, she wobbled and fell onto Carien’s mushy body. “Whoa. I forgot what this feels like.”

“You forgot?”

Sarah laughed. “Yes. I have turned into a blueberry before. It isn’t so bad. As long as people are around to help you out.”

Carien looked around at the other massive blueberry’s already filling the room. “I don’t know if we have that covered.” She wobbled back and forth as her legs merged together; she pushed Sarah back, and their massive bodies knocked each other around like blow-up balloons. “This is becoming weird.”

Sarah tried to hug Carien, but her arms were being sucked into her body. “It’s ok.

Just go with it.”

Carien narrowed her eyes as her chest swelled up towards her head. “Go with my body becoming a giant blueberry?” Sarah’s body began to roll away from her.

“Yes.” Sarah laughed.

“Why are you so cheerful at a time like this?”

“Because you did give me a great birthday present.”

“Turning everyone into blueberries?”

“Someone help me,” Gregory screamed. “My body is bloating out of control. I have been poisoned.”

“No, just turning that fool into a blueberry.” She laughed. “After everything Gregory has done in the past, I am so happy that someone has gotten him back.”

Carien smiled as her head hit the ceiling and her sides pressed against Sarah and what she believed was Tess. “Well, happy to have helped. I hope to make your next birthday just as special then.”

“You better. I am expecting it now.”

Carien closed her eyes.  Will do. Will do.