Page 71 of A Heart of Little Faith
“I can’t ask you to do that. You’ve got better things to do on a weekend than host a kid’s party.”
“You’re right, for any other kid. But this is Claire. I’d do anything for her, and I’m happy to help out. What do you have planned?”
Overwhelmed by his feelings for her daughter, her heart swelled. “Well, I figured I’d come up with a few games, we’d do a craft, have a piñata and some cake.”
“You take care of the craft; I’ll handle the games.”
“You will?” She blinked tears away.
“Of course,” Gideon assured her. “Now, do you want help setting up?”
“No, I think I’m okay. I’m just going to get the balloons and cake, and go decorate. Tony and Samantha said they’d help.”
“You know, for someone as organized as you, you’re a lousy delegator.” He laughed. “How about if I pick up the balloons and cake and meet you at the gym?”
“Well, it would help me out a lot,” Lily agreed as she crossed those items off her list. Her mood lightened once again.
“I’ll meet you at the gym at ten. Now get some sleep.”
****
Claire jumping on the bed woke Lily on Saturday morning. “Mom, wake up, wake up!” She shook her until Lily grabbed her and pulled her into a hug.
“Okay, I’m up, I’m up.” She planted a kiss on her daughter’s soft cheek. “Happy birthday, baby.”
“I’m not a baby, Mom. I’m seven years old today.”
“Oh, pardon me. You’re a big girl now.”
“Huge.” Claire blew out her cheeks and stood as tall as she could. With a wobble and a shriek, she fell onto the bed.
Lily tickled her until she couldn’t breathe. They got up, dressed and gobbled breakfast. They grabbed the bags and boxes by the door and headed over to the community center. Passersby gave them a wide berth as they made their way along the sidewalk laden with party supplies.
Once there, they taped a sign directing guests to the gymnasium. Inside, Lily hung streamers while Claire ran around. Her feet pounded on the wood floor and echoed off the walls. Tony and Samantha arrived to help. With a brief kiss for the birthday girl, they approached Lily.
“What can we do to help?”
Lily perched on a ladder, the streamers wrapped around her ankles, tape hanging from her wrists. “Well, I’ve got an hour to decorate this place before twenty-five six- and seven-year-olds arrive.”
Tony helped her from the ladder and she handed them the streamers and tape. With a thank you to Samantha, she grabbed Claire and set the table. The paper plates, cups and plastic ware created an impromptu beat Lily and Claire danced to around the table.
“Is there a birthday girl in here?” a loud voice asked.
A large bunch of multi-colored balloons rolled into the gym. Gideon pushed several aside and grinned like a manic clown. On his lap was the cake.
“Gideon!” Their band momentarily forgotten, Claire ran over and skidded to a halt.
“Whoa there, ClaireBear. You don’t want to mess any of this up.”
Lily rescued the cake and leaned over to kiss him on the lips. His mouth had a rubbery taste from the balloons and she compressed her lips and wrinkled her nose. “Thank you so much.”
He grinned. “You’re welcome. Now, where do you want the balloons?”
“I’ll take them,” Claire volunteered and held out bony arms.
“I don’t think so, kiddo.” Gideon chuckled. “You’ll float to the ceiling and then what will we do?”
They tied balloons to the back of each chair and gave the rest to Tony and Samantha to distribute.