I liked my life as a senior in high school. I was a straight-A student and excelled in baseball and tennis. I was also doing well socially, going out frequently with my baseball teammates to bars and movies.
When my 18th birthday was around the corner, I invited all of them to a private party at my house. Two friends said they might not attend because Mira had her birthday party simultaneously.
Mira was my classmate and the prettiest on the cheerleading team. She was a 5'6", 125lbs beauty with a body to die for. Everybody in my class would have been happy to go out with her, but she politely rejected each student who tried. On several occasions, I talked to her about school stuff, knowing she was an outstanding student. She was friendly and smiled, but I was reluctant to try asking her out, remembering my embarrassed friends after she said no to them...
I thought having our birthday parties on the same date was a good excuse; I meant reason... to call her and talk about it.
I called her cell, and she answered immediately, "Hello, who is it?"
"Mira, it's me, Fred. I heard from friends that your B'day party is on Saturday the 17th. Is it true?"
"Yes, it is. Would you like to join us?"
"Unfortunately, my 18th birthday party will occur the same night."
"I am sorry to hear that. I hoped you called me to get an invitation to my party..."
Mira sounded so disappointed that I decided to push my luck, "It may sound wild, but please listen to my idea. We have mutual friends who would like to attend both parties. How would you feel if we joined forces and had one big party for your friends and mine?"
"Fred, I think it's a great idea! I like it a lot. But I have one condition. It's for our friends only. No family members, either adults or kids. We don't want to be lectured about how we behave by older relatives or be restricted by children around..."
"Mira, it's a deal! By the way, what day of the month is your real birthdate?"
"I was born on the 15, but I wanted a weekend party..."
I chuckled, "It's the same for me too..."
"Listen, Fred; we must sit and plan the party together."
"Would you rather do it at school or one of the homes?"
"Is it OK to do it at my house tomorrow evening?"
"Sure. What time?"
"I assume your family eats dinner at 6 or 7, so how about 8 pm?"
"Perfect. I only know little about your family. How many will I need to impress to approve of our joined party?..."
She had a lovely throaty laugh, "You do not have to try hard. My father died two years ago, and I am the only child, so it's only me and my mom."
"I'll be at your house exactly at 8 o'clock."
...
After school, I shaved, took another shower, and dressed nicely in long blue pants and a light blue shirt with the top button open. Driving to her house, I passed the local flower shop and bought a lovely bouquet of fresh red and white roses. As I was near her parking place, I saw Mira watching me from the window.
I was ready to ring the bell when the door opened. She had on a simple white blouse and a summery skirt. Even with these simple things on, she looked amazing!
Mira smiled, "It's nice to see that you found the place without difficulty. Some of Mom's friends complained that reaching the house on the first try wasn't easy."
"If I claim that I am a good navigator and driver, it will sound like bragging, so let's say I was lucky."
Mira grinned, "I want you to meet my mother. She is curious to know who is the guy I'll be having my party with..."
We entered the living room. Her mother stood up, smiled, and walked toward me. The face looked like Mira's, with minimal wrinkles near her eyes. The height was the same, but her body was more curvaceous. Overall she was an attractive woman.
I smiled back at her, "Ma'am, Mira didn't mention anything about her slightly older sister, but it's nice to see you. By the way, these flowers are for you."
She chuckled, "Mira, I like this young guy. He knows already that the way to a girl's heart goes through her mother... As a psychologist, I can tell a lot already."
Mira's face lightened, "Mom, stop embarrassing Fred. He was born on the same date as me, and we will have our party together." She gave me her hand and led me to her room, "Sorry to drag you like that, but I never bring guys here, and Mom is very curious to find out if we go out together..."
I mumbled, "I wish..."
Mira glanced at me, "You don't need to flatter me. I understand your interest is to have as many of our mutual friends as possible at your celebration, so you agreed to do it together."
"Mira, what are you trying to say?"
"Fred, stop pretending. You never showed any interest in me as a person, so obviously, the party you are trying to arrange is not necessarily related to me as Mira. It could have been anybody else..."
"Mira, are you offended that I never ogled you or tried to ask you out?..."
"Slightly..."
"Girl, let's agree on the party details first. I didn't know that there was a personal issue we would want to talk about. I'll leave in half an hour because my mother needs my help. But is it OK if I text you after I finish my assignment with Mom?"
"Yes."
It took us 40 minutes to agree on the number of people, who we disinvite, the place to do it, decorations, food, and drinks. I said a quick hello to her mother and drove back home. Mom wanted me to hang a shelf in the kitchen above the fridge. I was done in 20 minutes and went back to my room.
I texted Mira, 'You seemed a little upset and felt that my inclusion of you in my party wasn't personal. What did you mean by that?'
'You never gave me a second look and never tried to talk to me about anything but school stuff, so clearly, the party together is for OUR FRIENDS. The two of us have nothing more than a synchronized event...'
'Mira, I am still not sure what offended you. I noticed the faces of 2 of my friends after you let them down. Did you expect me to try talking to you about personal issues so I'll be humiliated too?'
Mira hesitated, 'I thought you were smarter, but you are a moron... What would YOU do if you were interested in a certain girl and instead two other less attractive girls offered you to date them?'
'Are you telling me you'd agree if I approached you to go out with me?'
'Yes! I tried to give you 'a look' several times, but as bright as you are in other areas, you were oblivious... Two of my girlfriends knew about my unsuccessful efforts and suggested you may be gay. Are you?...'
'Mira, I am very attracted to you. I didn't dare to get close to you and be embarrassed. I do not want to push my luck now, but if you agree to date each other, why not do it publicly in our party? It's only five days away?'
'Freddy, I'll wait.'
'Do you want me to pick you up before the party, or do you want us to go separately?'
'Mom will drive me to the place and back. I would love for you to take me back home, but we will drink too much, and driving back be too risky.'
'Ok, girl. And I want you to know I am thrilled to date you!'
'Just think how much time we wasted...'
I chuckled and disconnected.
...
I googled and searched about her mother's workplace on several social media sites. It took me only 15 minutes. I asked the secretary when Marylin would have her lunch break. She told me that it's usually between 11:45 and 12:45.
I called the office at 11:40.
Marylin answered, 'Whoever you are, I'll be busy for an hour. Can you call again around 1 pm?'
'Marylin, this is Fred. I'm sorry to bother you, but I want to buy a present for Mira's upcoming birthday. Can you give me a clue what will be something appropriate?'
'Fred, my daughter likes everything about England and its history. I am sure you can find a book about Richard the 3rd, William the Conqueror, or Queen Victoria that she'll like.'
'Thank you, ma'am.'