U-WRITE-IT RESULTS

Kerrie looked on in horror. How did these people get in her living room? She had locked her door before laying down for a nap three hours ago.

Recognizing Julie from the office, Kerrie broke the silence, "What is going on here?"

"SURPRISE!" the stunned group yelled.

"For what?" Kerrie replied.

"Happy birthday, Kerrie. You're twenty-three today!" Julie shouted.

"No, I'm not. My birthday is next month."

The room went silent. "Your calendar said today is your birthday."

"No, Julie, you saw my mother's birth date. Today, I sent her flowers. How did you get in here?"

"Remember when you were on vacation and I watered your plants?" Julie blushed as she held up Kerrie's key. "Sorry!"

Polite clapping followed and Kerrie crossed the room with confident strides, heading straight for the bar, but was intercepted by Mrs. Vandergrift, club socialite. Emle Vandergrift gracefully took hold of Kerrie's elbow and lead her to the verandah where she placed a cocktail in her hand.

"I think ordering your usual club soda is out of the question under these circumstances. Try a Harvey Wallbanger." Kerrie sipped politely and waited for the next jeer.

Emle continued, "Your pony tail and cowboy boots attire would suggest you forgot this event."

Raising one eyebrow, Kerrie smiled and handed Mrs. Vandergrift a cashier's check for two hundred thousand dollars. "It appears your husband, Dr. Vandergrift, doesn't mind the way I dress."

"Sorry Thomas!"

The skinny grey cat tilted its head. It glared at Kerrie as he let out an ear-grating scratchy protest.

"I had no idea you were still in the room. That's what you get for hiding when I call you," Kerrie scolded.

Thomas would have none of her yammering. He carefully picked his way over the dead fleas to walk past her. With his skinny grey tail straight up in the air, he left the room with a final pink-puckered comment:

Phhhhht!

"Sounds like progress," Kerrie announced cheerfully to the group clustered around the bed.

An unusual smell permeated the hospital room. Not nose burning methane, nor too-much-chili gas, but a most unusual cause for celebration.

Smiling sweetly, the effects of the painkillers causing her pupils to move in mysterious ways, the tiny red-haired woman looked up from the bed.

"I..." she whispered.

Like Medusa, all faces in the group turned toward her.

"I did..."

Seven faces leaned in to hear her better.

Taking a shallow breath, she whispered the entire sentence. "I did it!"

Reaching to smooth her hair, Kerrie smiled at her patient. "Yes, you did. Just what the doctor ordered to relieve that belly pressure."

My mother smiled, then drifted off to sleep.