Chapter 175: Birthday Plans - part 2

"Adelaide, Yue, don’t be so down in the dumps. Axel has a business to run," chided Yasmin, as she, Adelaide and Yue waited in the St. Ignatius Academy parking lot.

"I know that. It’s just that it’s Mom’s turn to carpool, and she’s got the most boring car," grumbled Adelaide.

"Dr. Alexandria’s car isn’t boring. It is a testament to Japanese engineering. Isn’t it Yue?" asked Yasmin.

"It’s a Corolla! Now if it were a Supra or a Lexus, I’d agree with you," said Adelaide.

"That’s true enough. Corollas are considered boring even by the Japanese," chuckled Yue.

With a loud rumble, Alexandria’s Toyota Corolla sedan pulled into the parking lot.

"If Corollas are supposed to be boring, why does your Mom’s look and sound like that?" asked Yasmin, as Adelaide gaped at the sleek black paint job and the aggressive bodywork.

It looked nothing like the drab gray, sputtering and rattling 4-door sedan that Adelaide was used to seeing.

This car was glossy black, with tinted windows, and featured large front air intakes, aggressive sweeping LED headlamps, matte black 5-spoke alloy wheels that showed off the silver brake discs and black calipers, and two massive exhaust pipes sticking out from under the rear bumper.

The rear doors swung open automatically, and the tinted driver’s side window rolled down to reveal Alexandria.

"Stop gawking and come on in. I have to drive you bunch all the way to Pine Springs for your study session," said Alexandria.

Adelaide, Yasmin and Yue climbed into the back.

"Um, Mom? When did you get this?" asked Adelaide.

"This? This is my old baby, which you had started to despise. Axel gave it a little bit of love before he left for Germany," chuckled Alexandria.

"Damn, he certainly knows how to build a car. I can barely recognize it," said Adelaide, observing that even the interior had been revamped into a sleek black leather cockpit with silver accents, and comfortable black leather rear seats.

"Kind, gentle and takes care of his aunt by fixing her car. Axel is perfect husband material," sighed Yue wistfully.

"Yue, get a grip! He’s nearly ten years older than you," admonished Adelaide.

"Well excuse me for finding him better than any of the boys in our class!" snapped Yue.

Alexandria revved the Albrecht Automotive supercharged V6 engine that Axel had replaced her car’s old hybrid powertrain with, and the rumble broke up the argument.

"Adelaide, be civil. You needling Yue is not what a good friend does," she warned.

"OK, sorry," said Adelaide.

"That being said, Yue. Axel might be a great guy, but you still need to give boys closer to your age a chance. They may surprise you," said Alexandria, as she drove them towards Pine Springs.

---

"Hi, Mikaela, what’s this?" asked Alexandria, as Mikaela pushed an envelope into her hands.

"My eleventh birthday is next week, this is a formal invitation for you, Adelaide and Axel. Please RSVP if you are unable to come, or bringing somebody else," said Mikaela.

"RSVP already has the French word for please in it. But sure, I’ll call and tell you," chuckled Alexandria.

"Yasmin, Yue. Here you go. I’ve added your dad to the guest list Yasmin, but I’m not sure if he’d want to attend. He’s a head of state after all, so I apologize if it is presumptuous," said Mikaela.

"You don’t have to be so formal around me, Mikaela. Besides, Father is back in Libya. Can I bring my boyfriend and his parents instead?" asked Yasmin.

"That’s OK I suppose," said Mikaela.

"And Axel is back in Germany with Adelaide’s dad. My dad is in town though, so I’ll be coming with him," said Yue.

"OK. That’s fine. I haven’t met him before, so it will be nice," said Mikaela, pulling out her guest list and making the adjustments.

"Speaking of boyfriends. I’d like to bring William as my plus-one. Don’t worry, you’ll like him," said Adelaide.

"I see. OK, Adelaide is bringing William, Yue is bringing her dad, and Yasmin is bringing her boyfriend and his parents, so we have... eighteen people. This is turning into quite the party. I might have to adjust the venue, Captain Hawkins’ house is far too small," said Mikaela, looking over her guest list.

"My house is big enough for that gathering. They’re not staying over," said Edward.

"Oh! Right! Yes, and if there are any miscreants, they can be packed off to Mom’s house across the street," said Mikaela, putting away her guest list, and pulling out her workbooks.

"You know Mikaela. I think you can jump straight to our 8th grade after summer break. You’re easily able to keep up with us," said Adelaide, as she looked over Mikaela’s physics and chemistry problems.

"Maybe. But I’d rather enjoy my time at St. Ignatius, so I’ll start from 6th grade and stay till 12th. That way I get more years," said Mikaela.

"You three. Don’t even think about flunking so that Mikaela catches up to you. You have responsibilities," said Alexandria sternly.

"Don’t worry Mom. It’s not like we can’t keep in touch outside of school," said Adelaide, as Yasmin and Yue nodded emphatically.

"Captain Hawkins. Here is Mom’s invitation. Can you deliver it? I’d rather not have a screaming match," asked Mikaela.

"Actually. I’ll do that, I’ve wanted to chat with Annette anyway," said Alexandria, taking the envelope.

"You’ll need flats. Mom told me that high heels are banned inside her house," said Mikaela, eyeing Alexandria’s pumps.

"No problem. I’ll take them off at the porch," chuckled Alexandria, and left.

---

"Alexandria? What bring you here?" asked Annette, opening her door to find Alexandria standing in the doorway, without her shoes on.

"Just wanted to catch up. How are you holding up?" asked Alexandria padding into the house.

"I’m OK, all things considered. Why are you without your shoes?" asked Annette.

"Mikaela mentioned that you have banned high heels inside your house, so I’m complying," chuckled Alexandria.

"That was mostly for her. She showed up yesterday in a black dress and these sky-high stiletto heels, that made my feet tingle just from looking at them!" ranted Annette.

"Tell me about it! Seeing my Adelaide rocking those heels was a shock to the system for me too," said Alexandria.

"Well, at least Adelaide listens to you and doesn’t move in with the neighbor across the street," pointed out Annette.

"Yes, well, don’t sweat it too much. They are both at that age where they want to experiment with things. The only thing we can do is offer wisdom and guidance. By the way, can I get some coffee? I still have to drive that bunch back to their houses, and the Sirius Zone isn’t exactly small," said Alexandria, surprised at Annette’s lack of manners, but still needing a stimulant.

"Yes, of course. You’re fine with almond milk right?" asked Annette.

"No, I’m allergic. Black will be fine," said Alexandria, relieved that Annette still had the grace to check.

"You know, I didn’t catch where you work," said Annette, as she handed Alexandria a cup of coffee.

"I’m working at a genetics research facility here in the Sirius Zone. It’s pretty hush-hush, actually. And while my boss can be a total dick, he pays pretty well and offers great perks," said Alexandria.

"I see," said Annette.

"So how are Mikaela’s birthday plans coming along?" asked Alexandria.

"Hmph! She told me to butt out of them. She wants to organize the whole thing herself," grumbled Annette.

"In that case, she’s actually doing a pretty good job. I was wondering why she was the one asking about plus-ones and handing out invites," chuckled Alexandria.

"Hmph! I suppose I should be proud, but she’s being very cold and distant towards me," said Annette.

"Well, I’m no psychiatrist, but her attitude is understandable given the circumstances," said Alexandria, opening her invitation envelope and pulling out the card.

"Oh my. This is very well done," she said, admiring the drawn and handwritten invitation card.

"I suppose, but it feels like a lot of effort given that it will soon be in the trash," said Annette.

"You don’t have the tradition of preserving invitation cards?" asked Alexandria.

"No. Why should I keep an invitation past the event?" asked Annette.

"Hmm. I suppose you have a point. Oh! How thorough! She even has a dress code outlined," said Alexandria.

"What?" exclaimed Annette, trying to grab the invitation, but Alexandria batted her hand away, and thrust the envelope addressed to Annette.

"Here, read it yourself. I’m keeping this one carefully," said Alexandria, surprised at Annette’s reaction.

Annette ripped open the envelope, and pulled out the card.

"Ladies must wear dresses or skirts, gentlemen must wear suits, no exceptions. Captain Edward Hawkins will be the bouncer for the party, and has instructions to deny entry to the uncivilized. Uncivilized? Why that little brat!" screamed Annette.

"Woah, woah easy there! It’s just an 11-year-old kid playing pretend Annette. You don’t have to take it seriously," said Alexandria, springing forward and grabbing Annette’s hands in an attempt to calm her down.

"Is that what you think? I know my daughter better than you. She’s dead serious about this, and she’s got Captain Hawkins wrapped around her little finger. I bet he’ll bark like a puppy if she asks him to," said Annette, her voice flat.

"That may be so. But he’s not going to turn you away, not on a birthday party. You’re her mother," said Alexandria.

"Hmph! That didn’t stop him from calling the cops on me," said Annette bitterly.

"Look. I understand that it is a pain in the ass. But like I said, it is your daughter’s 11th birthday. Let’s try to make it a fun one shall we?" asked Alexandria, gently rubbing Annette’s back to calm her down.

"OK. But I’m not showing up in a dress. And I would appreciate it if you don’t try to force me into one," said Annette.

"Perish the thought! I have to endure a workplace dress code as it is. I’m not stopping you from protesting," said Alexandria, getting up to leave.