Camden Vaile

Sunday, April 19th

I didn't wake up until noon the following day.  Can you believe that!?!  I haven't slept that late in... well ever.  I got up and went into the kitchen to get something to drink.  My mouth was seriously dry.  I called out to my Mom as I walked through the house to no reply.

When I got to the refrigerator there was a note taped to the door that said, "Hey Sleepyhead!  I tried to wake you but you wouldn't budge.  Tom and I headed to Cullman for the day so you could rest.  We'll catch you later.  PS – There are a ton of messages on the answering machine for you."

I grabbed a soda and headed for the living room.  I hit play on the answering machine while I popped the top and took a swig.  The first message was from Toni wanting to have lunch today... guess that wasn't going to happen.

The next was from Stella saying that since I was going to sleep the day away, they had planned a get together that night.  Everyone was meeting at La Casita's in Huntsville and then heading over to watch a movie.  We were meeting at 4pm.

The next message was from Tracey and Jasmine telling me I'd better get off my lazy butt and call them back.  We had plans tonight!  I shook my head as I dialed Stella.  Stella was the only one of our group that was already married and had a kid.  She and Shay got pregnant with Hannah when we were still seniors in high school.  They, so far, were still married and seemed happy.  Stella's parents, on the other hand, divorced right after she graduated and gave their house to Stella and Shay.  So, when the rest of us got a break from college, they usually held a pool party so we could all just hang out and chill for a day.  It was like coming home.

She picked up on the third ring sounding frazzled.  There was a baby's scream in the background as she said, "Hello?"

I said, "Hey Chello!"

She groaned and said, "Where have you been!? I've been trying to reach you half the day!"

I laughed and said, "SLEEPing."

She just groaned again and said, "UNfair! Did you get my message about tonight?"

I said, "Yeah.  You guys actually getting to go out for a change?  That's cool!"

She said, "Yep.  My mother was in a rare form and offered to keep Hannah.  I agreed before she could change her mind!  Haha I can't wait!  Oh!  Pool party at my house next Saturday if that works for everyone."

I said, "That sounds awesome to me!  I wish you guys could go to Panama City with us."

She sighed and said, "I know me too.  But, money's just tight right now."

I said, "I can only imagine.  Hannah Banana's going to be at the pool party though, right?"

She laughed and said, "Absolutely.  Let me tell you, she's going through terrible twos and you may want to drown her but she'll be there."

I had to laugh.  Hannah was my God-daughter and was all attitude from the moment she was born.  I said, "Ok. So, we're meeting at La Casita's at four?"

She said, "That's the plan.  I have no idea what's playing at the theater so you guys will have to pick.  I don't have much time for TV anymore.... So.... Joel Lambton huh?  What's going on there??"

I choked on my soda and said through a cough, "What? Joel... nothing.  There's nothing there.  Where'd you even hear that?  Have you been talking to Tracey?"

I could hear her grin as she teased, "So it is true!"

I said, "What's true?? There's nothing going on jeesh!  I'm going to strangle Tracey.  I swear she blows everything out of proportion."