Surprise

Part 3

"Hey, Lizzie how is it going? Is Avi with you?"

"Things are going pretty well. No. Sorry, he's not. I just dropped him at the airport. I was just thinking about calling you." I was nervous and close to stuttering and I didn't know why.

"Oh yeah, that is right. He has that clinic in Oregon this weekend. I almost forgot about that. So what are you up to?"

"Thinking about doing some things around the house. But more importantly, trying to figure out what to do for Avi's birthday." Why was I fidgeting?

"Oh really? What were you thinking?"

"A little surprise party here at the house. What do you think?" I flopped down on the couch. "Will you be around on Wednesday?"

"I would love to be there. Who were you thinking of inviting? Is there anyone you'd like me to get a hold of? Have you talked to Mom or Dad?"

I smiled. "I literally just came up with the loose plan on the way home from the airport. I have not talked to your parents yet, but I was thinking you, them, Marisa, Noah, Frank, Brad, Kevin. Just keeping it smallish. I have never planned anyone's birthday before, and Avi is, well, Avi."

"Kevin will be hard to get, but I'll reach out to him and see if he is in town or can break away. Yes, Avi is Avi and he can be difficult at times. Has everybody that you want to invite been to the house?"

"Most everyone helped us move, so I think so." I had to think about that for a second.

"Do you have a second choice location? Avi is Avi after all. You already know how private he is. He is that way with his spaces even more so than he is with you. He doesn't like to share. I think he was sick that day in kindergarten, then there was that bump to his head when he was little." She laughed. "He may just want the house and you all to himself, for a while."

"I didn't think about that. I could look into his favorite barbecue place. I'd probably have to rent the whole place out. That's where I was going to cater from." Leave it to Esther to come up with things I wouldn't think of. I got up and tracked down a notebook and a pen to write things down.

"Now that is one boy who loves his barbecue." She laughed again. "So did you want to just do dinner with friends then? What are some other things Avi loves to do? Well that he can share with others," she paused and laughed herself silly then sighed. "Uh Sorry, My brother is a right mess. God, I love him. He needs a break though. He honestly works too damn hard. Is he still writing all the time and in that damn studio?"

I was so glad she couldn't see me blush. I laughed with her. "Um well. Yeah, he is and yes he does." I had some serious thinking to do. "I don't know what to get him either."

"Just put a bow on your head." The phone was dead silent for a moment then I heard an absurd amount of laughter and the phone jostle. She must have dropped it. It took her quite some time to recover herself. "I'm just kidding, Sis, well actually I'm not. You're all he needs and wants, but so far as material things go, you could buy him mismatching socks and he wouldn't care, he'd be happy. But maybe something that he needs. If he wants anything he will tell you what he wants. So tell me when and where and I'll be there." My phone beeped to indicate that I had another caller.

"Hang on a sec, I have another call." I flipped over without seeing the number. "Hello?"

"Hey, Sweetheart how are you? I've landed and am waiting for my ride. You doing alright?"

I looked at the clock, shocked by the time. His call caught me entirely off guard. "Uh yeah. I'm fine. I am so glad to hear from you. How was your flight?"

"Good. Caught a tailwind. It went pretty fast. You busy?"

"Yes and no. I was just talking to Esther. On the phone." I slapped my forehead.

"Oh! Cool. I love my sister. She still on the phone?"

"Yeah, she is." I was panicking internally. I was never going to pull this off.

"Oh, well tell her I love her and I'll call her later. My car is here, so I need to tend to that. I love you."

"I will. Be safe. I love you too." I hung up with him and switched back to Esther. "Speak of the devil. He says he loves you and will call you later." I let out a sigh of relief.

"That boy has impeccable timing doesn't he?"

"That he does. Anywho. Keep Wednesday open and I will give you the specifics once I nail them down. Does that sound okay?"

"That absolutely sounds like a plan. I know he loves eating. Anything planned for him should always involve food if it makes sense. I wondered if there might be something that he might want to do too. Definitely, need that barbecue though. Also. He loves cheesecake. Any kind of cheesecake. He's gonna be so surprised. I love it." She sounded like she was happier than I could have imagined. "I can't wait to see his face and to hug you again."

"I just want it to all work out and for him to have a good time and not be mad. I miss you and can't wait to see you again too." I sighed. "Pray for me."

"Oh, Babygirl. You'll be just fine. Avi is actually really simple. Find a place to party, invite that small group of friends and his family, give him something simple, barbecue and cheesecake then take him home and you know what to do from there. Easy-peasy, dear. I'll see you soon." She was laughing as she said goodbye. "I know my little brother is a dog, I'm glad he's chosen to be a wolf. Love you. Bye." The line went cold. She didn't even wait for a response.

I shook my head and set my phone down. I was blushing and freaking out. I got out my notebook and wrote a list of things to do. I called the barbecue place. I didn't have enough notice to rent out the place, but I had up to 24 hours before to place a catering order. I thanked them and messaged Marisa and Brad to see if they had any ideas. What had I gotten myself into?