18 April 2004
Surprise!
"I'm having a little barbecue at my place on Sunday," I told Rick. "Just, you know, four or five of our usual pals. Because it's finally spring and our garden is looking nice now."
Surprise!
It was a barbecue all right, but with twenty people instead of five. People from Rick's company, people from Rick's band, and people with whom Rick likes to flirt, all shouting, "Happy birthday!"
The conspirators enjoyed setting the trap. Judith provided contact info for Rick's work- and band-friends, and gave Rick a ride to ensure his reliable arrival. Renee marinated chicken and baked a yummy tequila-flavored cake. Various guests invented red herrings all week long, to foil Rick's suspicion. Hooray! Good job, everyone. Thanks to his pals, Rick was shown a real good time. . . maybe a little too good!