Paige walked around the community room with Lance's list of birthday party demands as she made sure that everything was in its place. She had gotten him the games, decorations, and party favors he wanted. She learned how to bake and decorate the elaborate birthday cake that he had specifically requested that she bake herself from scratch. She knew that request had to be for the sole purpose of making her life more difficult. She hoped it would be enough for him.
As the finishing touches were put in place, the birthday boy himself walked in to assess her work.
He studied every little detail critically before he finally gave his approval. "Not bad."
"Not bad?" Paige echoed in disbelief. "This is an amazing party I put together. I got you almost everything on your list."
"Almost?" he frowned and looked around to determine what was missing. "I don't see the bounce house."
"It's too cold for a bounce house. I couldn't rent one this time of year. And the live band you wanted doesn't do appearances at twelve year olds' birthday parties, so you get a D.J. booth instead."
"Alright. I guess that will do," he gave in. "You'll just have to throw me a half-birthday in the summer and rent a bounce house then."
Paige bit her tongue as she suppressed a scream. She didn't know what it was going to take to appease Lance, but she knew she was not going to put up with six more months of this.
She was relieved when Lawrence, Artie, and Lorna joined them and she was spared from dealing with Lance's demands further. Lorna was immediately delighted by everything around her and even Lawrence and Artie seemed impressed.
"You went all out, Jolene! I can't wait to see what you do for my birthday," Artie said before adding a quick, "Just kidding."
"You really did go above and beyond, Ms. Parker," Lawrence agreed. "I hope you know you didn't have to do all this."
Paige forced a smile, wishing that that were true.
"We truly appreciate the effort you put into making this day special for Lance."
Soon the rest of the guests started to arrive and the party was in full swing. All of the younger kids in the neighborhood and their parents were invited.
As Lance basked at being the center of attention and took charge of directing the other kids through his itinerary of games and activities, Artie and Jenn hung back by the snack table.
"Honestly, when I heard kids' party, I thought this was going to be kind of lame. But this is actually a pretty awesome party," Jenn admitted.
"I'm still not sure how he pulled this off," Artie said skeptically.
"What do you mean?"
"Something is up with Lance and Jolene."
"Ooh, did your little brother steal the attention of your crush?" she teased.
Artie punched her lightly in the arm. "No, and she's not my crush. It's just weird. Lance has always disliked Jolene and been cold toward her. Before she would just ignore it or would tease him about it, but suddenly it's like everything changed overnight. He's as rude to her as ever, but she's suddenly bending over backward to give him anything and everything he wants. It doesn't make sense."
"Is she trying to make him like her?"
"That's what my dad thinks. But why now? And the only thing it seems to be doing is making him totally insufferable."
"So what do you think is going on," Jenn asked as she watched Lance lead the group of kids to their next activity.
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out."
* * * * *
Meanwhile, Brooke and Joey were also hanging out on the sidelines watching the festivities. They both normally preferred to be observers rather than the center of attention, but Brooke especially didn't feel like participating and since Joey was her best friend, he tended to follow her lead.
Her dad had come with them to the party. He always seemed eager for another reason to spend more time with them. While Doug was happy for any time spent with their dad, Brooke was not so easily placated. Why should she settle for what random moments he had for them when he could be living at home with them full-time like he used to? Attending a birthday party with him was particularly difficult since her birthday had been the last time they had all really been together as a family, like normal.
"Do you not like the party?" Joey asked when he noticed her frowning at her dad and Doug as they participated in the games.
"It's okay, I guess. At least Natalie and her mom aren't here."
"That's something," Joey shrugged.
She saw how often her dad went over to the Burroughs to visit with Natalie or her mom. It was time that he could have been spending with them, his real family. She didn't know all the details, but she knew her parents' fight and her dad's accident were all tied up with Natalie somehow.
"If only that spell had worked the way it was supposed to. . ."
"You're not going to mess around with that freaky book again, are you?"
"I don't know. My Gram says what happened wasn't my fault, but I need to be more careful next time."
"I don't think there should be a next time," Joey said warily. "The whole thing was creepy."
"You just think that because magic isn't in your blood like it is in mine," Brooke said dismissively. "With or without it I'm going to find a way to get things back the way they were."
* * * * *
"The kids are sure having a good time," Vanessa remarked to Alma. "I'm so glad they can all get together like this."
"Um hmm," Alma nodded in agreement.
"So, what's been going on with you, hon. You've seemed kind of down lately."
"I'm just disappointed that my assignment at the high school ended," she explained simply. "I really liked the class I was subbing for."
"I'm sure there will be another assignment that you will like just as much."
"Maybe."
"Weren't you involved with directing a play?"
"I was. They invited me to keep helping, but I decided not to. I'm not sure if I'm going to opening night either."
"You definitely should," Vanessa said supportively. "It might be good for you. I could go with you if you want."
Vanessa had noticed a lot of changes in Alma recently, in her demeanor and in her dress. She wanted to question her about it further, but she hadn't figured out how to broach the subject delicately. "We could get dolled up, make a girl's night of it."
"I don't know," Alma said hesitantly.
"Well, if you decide you want to or if you want to do something else one night, give me a call," Vanessa insisted. There were a lot of things she wanted to discuss with Alma, but a child's birthday party didn't seem the time or the place. "We should get together sometime and talk."
* * * * *
Seeing that the party was going well and Lance was busy with his friends, Paige took the opportunity to slip out of the party. Since everyone was at the party, the house would be empty and she could get another chance to take a look at the files in Lawrence's office. With Lance on to her and making her life increasingly difficult, she needed to finish what she came here to do before her true identity was exposed.
When she entered the house it was quiet and empty as expected. She headed straight to the office and opened the door quickly, but she was startled when she saw that someone was already there.
"Oh, Ms. Ramone! I didn't know you were here," she sputtered when she saw Shayna sitting in Lawrence's office, reading through a stack of papers. "I didn't know you worked Saturdays."
"I just stopped by to look over some paperwork," she answered coolly. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for Mr. Arrendale," she lied.
"He's not at the party?"
"He was, but then I didn't see him, so I thought I'd check and see if he came back here." When Shayna stared at her skeptically, Paige was afraid that she wasn't buying her story, so she added, "Honestly, I kind of needed a break from all the kids at the party."
"Aren't you a nanny? I thought kids were supposed to be your thing."
"I like kids when we're one on one, but nearly a dozen is a lot to take at once."
Shayna nodded in agreement. "There's a reason I just have one child."
"Is that why you are working instead of at the party?"
"Children's parties aren't exactly my idea of a good time."
"Especially if you aren't on the best terms with some of the adults there," Paige remarked. When Shayna looked at her sharply, Paige realized she had spoken too carelessly.
"I don't think that is any of your business."
"I'm sorry. I know it's not. It's just there are some parents in this neighborhood that like to gossip and they don't pay much attention to the nanny being around."
"So is that what you do?" Shayna asked as she studied the nanny critically. "Blend in with the wallpaper and collect information?"
"No, no! I mean, not on purpose, anyway."
Shayna looked doubtful. She always thought there was more to the nanny than meets the eye, but she never cared enough to give it much thought. Now she was starting to wonder if she should have paid more attention to her. "Don't think I've forgotten the time I saw you snooping through Mrs. Arrendale's old things."
"I admit that was bad judgment on my part," Paige said, feeling embarrassed. "The woman is practically a legend in this house and this neighborhood. I couldn't help being curious about her."
"Were you trying to figure out how to be more like her to win over her widower? Is that why you've been trying so hard to get Lance to like you?"
"No!" Paige insisted, but she could tell Shayna didn't believe her.
"Lawrence is an attractive man, but he will never be over his late wife. Even if you did get him to take an interest in you, you would always be living with her ghost."
"I'm not interested in that," Paige insisted before taking the opportunity to steer the conversation in another direction. "I know there hasn't been anyone else since his wife died, but what about before he met her? Was she the only woman he ever dated?"
"It was before my time," Shayna said. "But I think I did hear that he dated someone from his office, maybe she was a secretary."
"Really?" Paige said with interest. "What happened to her?"
"I don't know. I never really cared enough to pick up the details. I only remember being surprised that Lawrence would be so unprofessional as to be involved in an office romance."
"Didn't you and Mr. Martin used to work together?" she asked carefully.
"Yes, but I switched jobs before we got involved." Shayna replied sharply. She squinted at Paige, trying to suss her out. She was starting to regret how personal the conversation had turned and how much she had carelessly shared. "Shouldn't you be getting back to the party? Don't you have a job to do?"
"I guess so," Paige shrugged. "And I should probably let you get back to whatever it is you are doing here."
* * * * *
Paige arrived back at the party just as the cake was brought out and the guests were singing "Happy Birthday."
"Make a wish!" Lorna called out.
Lance looked around the room thoughtfully and shot Paige an ominous look before he leaned forward and blew out the candles.
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