Project Equality

Legal Adult

Lisa

"We come bearing gifts!" I squeaked, walking into Agent Simon's hospital room that morning. She'd been in the hospital for weeks, and finally they'd upgraded her from ICU, so we were allowed to visit.

"They are flowers," May said, setting the vase on her bedside table. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been shot. Oh, wait," she laughed. "This scar is totally going to be visible when I wear v-necks, and I'm about that shit. Badassery over beauty." She moved her gown to reveal the area of her chest where the bullet had hit.

"Oh my gosh, that was awfully close to your heart. Missed it by four and a half millimeters?" I guessed.

"No," she replied, then added more quietly, "four and five-eighths."

"You're lucky that it didn't kill you on the spot, Agent Simon."

"I know. I'm very grateful to the excellent staff that happened to be working that night. Then again, what could I expect? Only we workaholics work the holidays."

"Do you know anything about who did it?" I asked.

"No. I'm not supposed to investigate it."

"What about Christine?" May asked.

"She's not allowed to tell me about it right now."

"Well, you'll find out soon enough," I assured her. "How long are you out?"

"They want me to take at least three months to recover. Apparently I lost a lot of blood."

"You do not seem happy with that," May observed.

"As long as I don't have to stay here, it should be fine."

"Maybe you can stay with Chrissy," I said, which seemed to make her happier.

"Yeah, maybe . . ."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Okay, so I've gathered you here today because-"

"Shouldn't we be waiting for May?" Jenna interrupted. "I thought this was a meeting for all of us."

"Oh, please tell me no one told her we were meeting," I groaned.

"No, we figured you did," Ely said. "What's going on?"

"Her birthday is coming up at the end of the month, and I want to throw her a surprise party. She's turning eighteen, after all. It's a pretty big deal."

"Party planning?" Jenna perked up straightaway. "Oh my god, I'm so glad I brought my concept binder!"

"You always bring your concept binder," Lynn sighed as Jen pulled out her bag where she kept things.

"I think it should be classy, like May. We have a stringed quartet, sparkling juice in champagne glasses, plenty of fancy appetizers, the place will be decorated beautifully-"

"Jen," I interrupted. "Thank you, but I don't think that's necessary."

"But-"

"But nothing. May doesn't really like that kind of thing, and she never has. I was thinking just a casual get-together, where we surprise her. That's all. Party hats, Doritos, pizza, all the stuff she actually likes."

Jenna looked crestfallen, but she nodded. "Yes, of course. Well, we can do that too, then."

"Thanks for telling us what you want for your birthday, though," Lynn laughed. "We'll be sure to keep it in mind."