UFC - #145 - Carnation Friends

While waiting for my challenge to be posted... & dealing with a bit of insomnia (it is now 6a!) I decided I'd do the challenge that is still open.

This one is by SkyeRider & here's her challenge...

You have been invited to a party that you are obliged to attend. No excuses. You have to buy a gift for the host/hostess of the party. The problem is that you dislike the person hosting the party. Write a scene using one of the following scenarios:
- You have just been informed that you have to attend the party and bring a gift.
- You have already bought the gift and are en route to the party.
- You are in a shop, choosing a gift for the party.
- The party is in progress and the host/hostess is about to open your gift.

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Carnation Friends
©LadyHarley©

I didn't know what to think when I saw the note stuck to my front door, demanding that I attend a birthday party for the neighborhood's town gossip queen. I really don't know her & I don't want to really get to know her.

She always comes to my door at the most inopportune time. Always trying to sell magazines or candy for one of her nieces or nephews functions. At least I didn't feel bad looking her in the face, instead of the children, & telling her we just don't have the money.

It became so annoying that we put a "No Solicitation" note on our door & kept the door closed at all times to be sure the note was seen. Instead of knocking, this time she taped the note to the door.

What I don't understand is why she stressing it upon us to be there. As if our life depended on it. Doesn't she have any real friends? Or does she have to force us to be her friends to celebrate her day. Oh, and she wants us to bring her a gift. Now, how rude is that to request gifts for herself?

I enjoy a birthday celebration when I know the person & can get them something I know they'll enjoy. I don't know this woman, and I don't know anyone else on this block that I just moved into one month ago. I only know what I hear as neighbors stand outside my window & gossip about, when she's not with them.

I figure since Bea was kind enough not to knock on my door at 6 a.m. to place the note, that I should be thankful & attend her party. (Just still don't understand why the gift.)

Sighing deeply, I see it's this afternoon. She's having a themed "Tea Party". Oh lovely, now I have to dress up. I wouldn't want to show up in jeans & a t-shirt while others will be dressed to impress!

I go get ready and luckily for me I am close to a little floral shop to pick up something nicely.

When I arrive at the shop, I see one my next door neighbor picking up some flowers as well. We exchanged smiles & nods as if we knew we both were going to the same party.

"Hi Rose", stopping her, and asked, "do you know what her favorite flower is?"

"Hi Bethany", she replied. "No, I honestly don't. I figured I would be safe with some regular pink carnations."

"Oh, those are MY favorite... and they are cheap too! Wonder what she would think if we both got her the same thing?"

"I think it would be twice as nice!!! How about you get some of the different colored ones... that would match these?"

"Wow Rose, you just made this task a lot easier on me! Thank you. & I'll see you there soon as I can get these wrapped up!"

She smiled and walked out the door & up the street to where the Tea Party was to be held.

Unfortunately I was detained at the shop while the girl look for just the right vase & some more baby's breath. I kept trying to tell her it didn't have to be perfect. Just something simple.

Then my card number wouldn't accept my code. The 1st 2 times. Finally the sale clerk took my card & ran it through her side & all when through. I knew it would, just don't know why it was being such a pain.

So, I get in my car, and carefully place the vase on the seat beside me. Thanking my lucky starts I ran into Rose who gave me a great idea.

I pull into Miss Bea Prissy's driveway, and had a chuckle at the thought of her name again. Then I felt for her, how rough her childhood must have been.

As I'm walking up the side walk, I had one last thought again about, why was I invited... and here I am probably the last one to arrive. I just hope my husband made some good excuse as to why we came separate.

I opened the door & there are all my neighbors yelling, "SURPRISE!!! Welcome to the Neighborhood!!!"

My jaw dropped to the floor, as I was in amazement that this party was for little ol' me. My husband comes up to me & kisses me on my cheek & said, "We got you good, didn't we Bethany?"

"You were in on this too?"

He nodded in reply and walked me around to introduce me to some of our new friends. Even Miss Bea Prissy was a lovely woman after all. Had to be to plan this all for someone who kept closing the door in her face.

Rose walked up to me with a big grin, "Now you know why I had your favorite flowers!"

I have her a big hug & thanked her for becoming my 1st true friend on the block! That afternoon I realized I had many more true Carnation Friends!!
©LadyHarley©