Late in the spring, as my birthday approached, I began to feel a little apprehensive. I was worried that both Cam and Mikhail would want to spend the evening alone with me, and I didn't want the occasion to refuel their rivalry. I wondered if I should invite them both over, but I wasn't sure that would be any improvement. As it happened, a week or so beforehand, Georgia asked if I could join her, Laney, and Eileen after work on my birthday for a picnic supper. I accepted, feeling partly relieved to avoid any conflict but also partly disappointed that I wouldn't be spending my birthday with either Cam or Mikhail, let alone both. I shrugged it off, though, and went about my business as usual. After all, I could see them just as easily the day before or after.
The day of my twenty-fourth birthday dawned bright and clear, the promise of a hot, sunny day seconded by the early weather report. I went about my morning routine as usual, breakfasting and tending to my household and farm chores before heading out to check the message boards and visit the villagers in both towns. To my surprise, both towns seemed empty. I couldn't imagine where everyone could be as it wasn't a festival day, and I felt a little sad and left out as I wondered where they had all gone.
I slowly ambled along the path from Bluebell up towards the mountain, but before I could get past the river shallows, Grady came hurrying down the mountain path towards me, huffing and puffing from the effort of chasing me down. After catching his breath, he said he'd been looking for me and asked if I could please come with him as he needed my help. As we headed back towards Bluebell, he explained that he was far behind in his chores—Ash had been helping, but things had been extra busy at his farm recently so he hadn't had much time to spare. Could I please help him out by taking each of the horses for a gallop and then brushing them? He'd appreciate it so much.
I agreed, and we returned to his barn. He had a half dozen horses at the time, so starting with Cowboy, the gelding Cam usually borrowed, I saddled each of them up and galloped around his field a few times. Then once I was done with that, I brushed each one. After I had finished, he thanked me and asked if I could keep my eyes open for some moonflowers for him—he needed them for some medicinal recipe.
I agreed and again started up the mountain path, my eyes scanning the ground for the flowers as I slowly strolled along. I found a couple of the brilliant golden lilies as well as a variety of other wildflowers, herbs, and mushrooms. By the time I was crossing the bridge past the waterfall, it was late afternoon, and I still needed to shower, dress, and meet up with the girls for the picnic. I was feeling tired, but I hurried all the same. As I headed down towards the shallows, Rahi came running up the trail, shouting to ask me to hurry back to Konohana with him. He needed something right away, and his mom wasn't around to help him. I hurried back to town, helped him reach down a few things that he needed from the topmost shelves in their apartment above the town hall, then headed back to my farm to shower.
I threw on my bikini, then pulled on cut off jeans shorts and grabbed a light cardigan, in case it got cool later on. I slipped into a pair of sandals, packed my towel and some sunscreen into my tote bag, and headed off. The girls had assured me that as it was my birthday, I didn't need to bring anything but myself.
I hurried up the path towards the river shallows where we were to meet. I was afraid I'd be late, but when I arrived, no one was there yet. I dropped my tote bag under a tree and paced around for a minute, wondering if my timing was off or if they'd gone on ahead. Or maybe I'd misremembered where we were supposed to meet? I couldn't see any sign of them, whatever the reason. I stood looking around for them, uncertain what to do.
Suddenly, bunches of people jumped out from behind trees and bushes all around me, making me nearly jump out of my skin. "Surprise!" everyone shouted as with one voice as I shrieked in surprise. I stumbled and almost fell on my backside, but quick-thinking Dirk leapt forward and caught me.
