Damaged Goods by Diane McNab - HTML preview

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

JANE TURNING 40

Summer and Madge picked up Jane in a stretch limo.

“This is ridiculous” said Jane getting in to the limo “obviously I pay Michael too much!”

“Oh shut up” said the two women in unison.

On arriving at Michael's the three women were delighted to find two waiters on either side of the front door. One held a tray of champagne and the other refreshments for the children arriving.

Jane smiled well aware Michael had thought of everything.

Out by the pool area was every stand you could think of. There was a pizza, hot dog, kebab stand and even one with fairy floss for the kids. All in all it was exceptional.

“Come here” said Jane grabbing Michael and giving him a huge hug “I think after all of this you deserve a raise.”

At the corner of the pool was a small jazz quartet and Michael had asked Ethan (Summer's Brother) to bring his trombone.

Michael had also arranged for a Lifeguard for the pool ensuring the children were supervised at all times. Madge reminded him later that night that her Son Blake was a Lifeguard.

Michael grinned and said “Totally forgot that but I am glad I did it. Blake can have the night off and enjoy it with his family.”

Both Ethan and Amy's girls were in the pool first encouraging the little ones to join them. There were two small inflatable boats that Eloise and Madeline raced against each other with the smaller children inside of them to the finish, all of them shrieking with delight.

“Aunty Jane, Aunty Jane, I made you a present” declared Ali who at a very young age could speak eloquently and had a very strong opinion.

Jane opened the wrapping and found an art cylinder. Inside was a painting with two stick people, one short, one tall, holding hands with big smiles on their faces.

“Do you like it, it's us together?” asked Ali her little face screwed up in concentration.

“It is wonderful, just perfect, thank you so much Ali” replied Jane leaning down and giving her Niece the biggest hug.

Later Ethan joined the quartet and played his trombone much to his Wife's delight. “He never takes time for himself so it is wonderful to watch him doing this.”

“Plus he is damn good at it” said Summer grinning.

It was the perfect birthday.

“I can't thank you enough for my birthday party Michael. You outdid yourself, it was perfect, I don't even know what to say.”

“Well there was a matter of a rise during the evening” said Michael laughing.

“Consider it done” said Jane.

“Don't get over sentimental with me Jane. The night was something I did and something I wanted to do. Besides I think I enjoyed it even more than you did.”

“That's not possible” Jane declared.

“You could be wrong there” answered Michael mysteriously.

Tuesday was her actual Birthday and she arrived at the Office to find flowers and gift baskets in abundance.

“Well the suck up congregation are in their element this year” declared Michael.

“However” he added “there is one gift that intrigues me” handing Jane a very large heavy parcel.

“Whoa this weighs a ton” said Jane putting it on to the floor.

She opened the card and went bright pink reading out “HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE DAVID”

“Open it, open it' Michael said excitedly.

Jane opened the box to find a beautiful umbrella stand which obviously been hand carved out of the base of a tree with small knotted branches going up the stem.

“Michael exclaimed “Well in all my years I never thought I would use the word 'exquisite' to describe an umbrella stand but I stand corrected.”

“What does this mean?” asked Jane.

“It means it is two gifts in one” smiled Michael “one for your Birthday and the other as a peace offering.”

“This has been the best Birthday ever!” declared Jane.