Birthday Party Justice

 I have one of those memories that is seared into my brain. One that will never leave me no matter what. My mom still likes to talk about it. To be honest, I probably have some deep-seated issue over this and probably should discuss it in therapy! Let me set the scene for you:

The year is probably 1988 or 1989. I was 8 or 9 years old living on a corner house about a block from the elementary school in Emporia, Kansas. My mom kept a close eye on me and I didn't venture too far from home. (for good reason but that's a story for another day!). I remember coming home from school and being so stoked because I was invited to a birthday party of the girl that lived 3 or 4 houses down (Stephanie Reese). It was a sleepover and although my mom wasn't going to allow me to stay the night, I was going to be able to attend the birthday party portion of the evening. I was so happy! 

We weren't rich by any means. My mom worked two jobs and was putting herself through college while raising a kid. But she made sure I had a birthday present wrapped and ready to go to the party. I wish, oh, how I WISH I could remember what was in that present. I just know I was excited! 

The day of the party came and I took the beautifully present and walked the few hundred feet down to Stephanie's. There were other girls there and so the party began! But what I quickly realized was that this gang of girls was not going to allow me to play. They picked on me, poked at me and ran from me when I tried to play with them. I was the butt of their jokes. 

As my anger simmered and the hurt set in, the moment came when I was done. And I was going to take justice into my own hands! 

The next thing I knew, I was knocking on my own front door with Stephanie's beautifully wrapped present under my arm. My mom opened the door. She said "Cherie, what are you doing here? Why do you have that present?" And so, I began to tell her how they were picking on me and that, quite frankly, Stephanie didn't deserve a present. 

Imagine my chagrin when this woman who supported me wholly and completely explained to me that you cannot take back a gift once it is given. She concurred that it didn't sound like Stephanie was very nice but that it was not ok for me to take the gift back. Imagine my shock when she told me I had to take the gift back to Stephanie's house!! 

I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to. I tried to plead my case. Mom was insistent. 

I remember walking all the way back to Stephanie's house being so upset and thinking "but she doesn't deserve it!" I knocked on the door and Stephanie's mom answered. I wish I could tell you I gave this amazing monologue about the injustice I had received and the consequences with which Stephanie was now going to live with. But alas, all I remember is pushing the present at Stephanie's mom and running down the steps towards my safe-haven. 

I don't really remember what happened next but little Cherie probably then threw herself on her bed and cried her eyes out! I would like to tell you that Stephanie apologized and we became best friends but I can't say that either. I may have never talked to her again. I don't remember. 

I just wonder if she even still remembers that moment. Does her mom still talk about it? Did she even know that I executed some birthday party justice only to be overturned by Mama Judge? I will probably never know. But I can tell you one thing, I will always stand by my decision to take her present and march home!