Happy Birthday, My Dearest Susan!

Brian entered the bedroom he shared with his brother, Mart. Thinking he was alone, he kicked his shoes off and sat down on his bed. Rolling his shoulders to loosen them, he twisted his neck to work out the knots.

His eyes had closed while he’d stretched, but he opened them now. He thought his heart was going to stop as he jumped in surprise seeing Mart just coming from their walk-in closet. “Ahg!”

Mart quirked a brow, “Methinks you were frightened.”

Brian took a deep breath, steadying himself once again. “I thought I was alone. What were you doing in the closet?”

“The same as you do, getting my clothes out for my date,” Mart shrugged.

Brian stood watching Mart’s movements around their room. “Mart, I thought Di was still gone with her family.”

“She is,” Mart shrugged again.

His curiosity got the better of him, and Brian asked, “Then, who are you going out with?”

Mart turned to face his brother. Brian almost expected to see a guilty expression on his face, but Mart smiled dreamily. “I have a date with a wonderful, exquisite, jewel. Her name is Susan.”

Brian was confused; he wasn’t sure who Susan was and asked Mart just that.

“Susan is sweet, generous, witty, and beautiful. She is a talented writer, almost as verbose as yours truly. I have gotten to know her on that web site, Jixemitri. Remember, I told you about that place.” Mart didn’t wait for Brian to acknowledge, and continued, “It’s her birthday today, and I have made plans to surprise her. I’m even wearing my red shirt.”

Brian shook his head, trying to clear the fog his brother had left him in.  “Red shirt? What does that have to do with anything?”

“Ahh, dear brother of mine, red is the lovely Susan’s favorite color.”

Brian stared incredulously at his younger brother. “Isn’t that Jixemitri place the one where all of those women drool over Jim and Dan?”

“Some do, some don’t,” Mart shrugged again, not seeming to be worried.

“But, you’re just going to have a date with Susan?”

“Yep!” Mart grinned. “I have it on good authority that she is going to love my surprise.”

“Which is?”

“My presence at her party.”

“Mart, isn’t that big head of yours heavy?”

Mart shook his head as he buttoned his shirt, “Big brother, you would know if you’d pop into the Jix message boards once in awhile. Susan writes stories for Jim, you have even gotten lucky in…er, lucky enough to be in one of her stories. Dan’s there too. But, I KNOW I am her favorite.”

“If you say so.” Brian was still skeptical.

“I do; now, I must go before she thinks I’ve forgotten her. Mr. Wheeler is loaning me his jet to pop over to Chicago.” Mart picked up his jacket from the end of his bed, and left Brian behind in his wake.

“Chicago? What the…” Brian scratched his head in confusion, “Maybe I should check out this Jix web page.”

Brian went down to the den and closed the door behind him to keep everyone else out. He sat down at the desk and turned the computer on and waited to log onto the internet. Once there, he looked up the Jixemitri web site.

“Let’s see what has Mart all fired up!”

Mart was winging his way towards Chicago. He felt almost giddy. For the first time in a long while, he was doing something alone. He knew he’d have fun, and wanted to share that with Susan.

Meanwhile, Susan was sitting home, a bit disappointed that her birthday fell on a weekday, slimming her chances for an actual birthday celebration. She knew a few friends were coming by, but also knew no one would be able to stay very long. Oh, well, she said to herself, there is this weekend. Little did she know that her wish was about to come true.

The phone rang, bringing Susan out of her thoughts.

“Change of plans,” said the voice on the other end. “We’re meeting at Italian Village for dinner. Don’t be late! We’ll come back to your place for drinks or something, okay?”

“Okay,” Susan agreed. She loved Italian Village. It was her favorite restaurant. She always told visiting Jixters to eat there while visiting Chicago. She hung up the phone and went to the nearest mirror, glad that for once she’d dressed up a bit and wouldn’t have to change.

She wasn’t quite sure how, but she arrived at Italian Village right on time. She went inside, but couldn’t see any of her friends. One guy looked very familiar. Nah, it can’t be. Besides, he would be in Sleepyside, not alone here in Chicago.

Susan smiled tentatively when a waiter approached her. “Susan?” he asked courteously.

“Yes,” she replied quietly.

“Come, I’ll show you to your table.”

Susan followed, more curious than anything.  She glanced around as she walked, trying to find her friends but still not seeing them. She sat where the waiter directed her. “Oh,” she softly exclaimed, seeing her companion. It was the guy she’d noticed from the doorway. “But, I’m supposed to be meeting some friends here,” she said.

The blond guy smiled fondly at her. “Your friends were only here long enough to drop off your present.”

“Um, then, where is it?” she asked. “And where did they go?”

“I am your present,” the hunky blond said. “It’s me, Mart. You’re not hallucinating. I really am here. And your friends are probably back at your apartment. Shall we order?” Mart opened his menu.

After placing their orders, Susan, who was known for her talking, could say very little. She was too stunned.

Once the meal was served, Susan’s tongue had loosened and she and Mart kept up a cheerful chatter until finally, even he was finished eating. By now, Susan was feeling sad that her date seemed to be at an end. Then Mart told her he had another surprise for her.

He accompanied her back to her apartment, where her friends had decorated and brought a birthday cake. After opening her presents (one of which made her blush) and eating the cake, Mart announced he had to leave.

Susan’s friends suddenly made excuses about cleaning up and left her to show Mart out. Once at her door, she kissed her sweetly on the cheek and told her he’d visit again whenever he had the chance.

Smiling, she returned to her apartment and was greeted with many questions.

“How did it go?”

“Did you like your surprise?”

“Will you see him again?”

“Tell us about it before we die of suspense!”

Susan laughed and verbally recreated the best birthday date of her life.