Mart rolled over in bed and savored the last moments of an idyllic sleep. Scrunching his pillow under his head, he closed his eyes and inhaled the fresh morning air. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and sat up.
“Today is Diana’s birthday!”
Throwing back the rumpled sheet, Mart jumped out of bed and began to get dressed. As he pulled a white polo shirt over his head, he paused.
“Wait. Diana got me a purple shirt for my birthday. Maybe I should wear that for today’s festivities,”” he thought.
Opening his closet door, he sorted through his shirts but didn’t see the one he was seeking. Shoving the clothes to one side, Mart spied the shirt lying top of a box that was full of old toys.
“Hey, I haven’t seen these in a long time,” he said as he leaned down and began rummaging through the box, pulling out a few Transformers and a jet plane made out of Legos. At the bottom, Mart found his old teddy bear with a faded piece of cardboard still attached to its paw. Sitting back on his heels, he stared at the ratty stuffed animal in his hand. The bear held a particularly fond memory for Mart of the first time Diana kissed him. Gently rubbing his cheek, he remembered the glorious day he received the romantic gesture.
Mart and Trixie stood in the upstairs hall, their faces red with anger, their hands clutching their teddy bears.
“No, it isn’t. You’re the dumbest idea,” she replied angrily, pushing his hand away from her.
“Hey, you two,” interrupted Brian, breathless from running up the stairs. “What are you arguing about now? And shouldn’t you be getting ready for school?”
Mart looked at his older brother, then at Trixie. “She wants to make her teddy bear into some sort of superhero. That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, how is your bear going to be dressed, if you’re so smart?”
Brian sighed, wishing that for once, his siblings would complete their school preparations the night before instead of waiting till the last minute. The elementary school had decided to have the younger students think about what they wanted to be when they grew up. In an attempt to make it a fun activity, the teachers came up with a combination teddy bear picnic and goals day. The students’ assignment was to dress up their teddy bears in a way that would reflect the student’s aspirations, then share the decorated bears with their class. But the night before the goals and picnic event, Mart and Trixie had opted to play outside after dinner, completely ignoring the need to prepare their bears. Now the curly haired blondes stood arguing in the hall, with neither one getting any closer to being ready for school. The silence between the two was broken by Trixie loudly tapping her foot on the hard floor.
“I’m waiting, Mr. Smarty Marty. What’s your bear going to be?”
Mart scowled at his sister. Looking up, Mart saw Brian shaking his head before speaking firmly to his younger siblings.
“Trixie, why don’t you go brush your teeth. Mart, come here. I want to talk to you.”
Brian led Mart into their bedroom and closed the door softly behind them. Crossing his arms, he faced his younger brother. “Let me guess. You have no idea what to do with your bear.”
Mart looked at the floor. “I know what I want to be but I don’t know how to make the representation. And Trixie,” Mart rolled his eyes, “she wants to put a black bandana on her bear, you know, like a cape, because she wants to be some kind of superhero. Isn’t that dumb?”
“We’re not going to worry about Trixie. What do you want to do when you grow up?”
Mart’s face brightened. “I want to be on "Wheel of Fortune".”
“That’s what you want to do when you grow up?” Brian asked incredulously.
“Yup. I’m going to be on "Wheel of Fortune". Then I’m going to live off all the money I win.”
“That’s what you want to do when you grow up?” Brian repeated, his dark eyes wide in disbelief.
Mart nodded. “Come on, Brian. It makes sense. I’m pretty smart. And I always know the answers, or at least most of them. So why not do that for a living? Just think, I could win a million dollars, then live here with Moms and Dad. I’d be set for life.”
Brian shook his head, “I don’t think that’s a very good career choice, Mart.”
“It’s better than wanting to be a superhero.” Mart snorted, “As if Trixie could fly!”
“Hey,” Brian snapped his fingers. “you like to help Moms in the garden. How about being a farmer?”
“Nah, that sounds boring. Besides, too much weeding. I told you, I’m going to be a game-show contestant.”
Brian sighed loudly. “Fine.” Walking over to the desk, he rummaged through a drawer until he found a small piece of cardboard. With quick, straight strokes of a marker, Brian created a remote control. Then he taped that to the paw of Mart’s bear.
“There. ” said Brian, holding out the bear. “How’s that?”
Mart examined the stuffed animal. “That’ll work. Thanks, Brian.” Mart took the bear and he and Brian went back to the kitchen.
“Look, Moms.” Mart held up his bear with the attachment. “I’m going to be a game show contestant when I grow up.”
“Well, that’s aiming high, ” said Moms drily. Scraping the last of the bananas from the jar, she shoved the spoon into the Bobby’s mouth and eyed the ceiling above her. “Brian, I think Trixie’s been in the bathroom long enough. Could you go move her along. And Mart, could you sit here with Bobby while I go make him some cereal?”
“Sure, Moms.” Both boys answered in unison.
After Moms got up from her chair, Mart slid into it. He looked at his baby brother covered with gooey bananas and shuddered. He couldn’t imagine ever wasting food by smearing it all over his face. Pushing his chair back slightly, Mart created a bit more distance between himself and his messy sibling as he waited for his mother to reclaim her seat. Above him, he could hear the muffled voices of Brian and Trixie and could tell that Brian was having a difficult time. “Sheesh!” he thought. “She is the most difficult female sibling ever!”
A few minutes later, Brian and Trixie appeared in the kitchen, with Trixie happily carrying her teddy bear. Mart peered at it, noting the pretend whip attached to one paw and some type of comb attached to the other. Before he could ask Trixie about it, Moms announced that it was time the three of them headed off to catch the bus.
Moms quickly kissed each child, then Brian opened the back door and the three left, walking to the end of the long driveway to wait for the bus.
“What’s your bear supposed to be, Trixie,” Mart asked, puzzled by the attachments to her bear’s paws.
“It’s supposed to be a horse tamer for the Clydesdales so they’ll do good in their Super Bowl commercial.”
“Really? That’s why you want to do when your grow up?”
Trixie shrugged. “Brian said I couldn’t be a superhero.”
“I already told you that. Gee, Trixie, why do you always have to make things so hard?”
Trixie stuck out her tongue. “Well, Brian helped me with my bear. He reminded me that I like horses so I decided I wanted to train the ones in those beer commercials. Hey, what’s your bear supposed to be and what’s that thing on its hand?”
“It’s a remote control ‘cuz I’m gonna be on "Wheel of Fortune".”
“Really? Why?”
“Because I can answer the questions and then win a million dollars. I’ll be able to go to Wimpy’s whenever I want with that kind of money.” Mart looked at Trixie’s bear and at his own, then decided his bear was the better one.
The two fell silent as they stood at the side of Glen Road, waiting for the bus. When it pulled up, Brian let Trixie and Mart get on first, then he followed. Trixie bounded down the narrow aisle until she found an empty seat and slid into it. Mart chose to walk to the back of the bus where he joined some of his classmates, including his friend, Josh. Mart sat in the seat in front of Josh while Brian sat across the aisle from Trixie.
“Hey, Mart, where’s your bear?” asked Josh, nudging Mart in the shoulder from behind.
“In my backpack. Where’s yours?” responded Mart.
“Same place.”
Mart got up on his knees and hung over the seat. “What’s your bear dressed like?” he asked, poking his finger at his friend’s backpack.
“Mine’s dressed like a fireman. What about yours?”
“A game show contestant.”
Josh looked at Mart, who continued to dangle his hand over the seat. “Huh?”
Before Mart could explain, the bus driver yelled, “Mart Belden, sit in your seat in the proper way.”
Mart quickly turned and sat down, his face reddening. As he glanced up, he caught the happy smirk of Trixie, who had turned to watch when she heard her brother’s name called out. Sliding down in his seat, Mart stared out the window until the bus pulled up at the long brick building.
At school, the three siblings separated, each going to their own classroom. Trixie happily carried her teddy bear while Mart kept his in his backpack.
Mart entered his classroom and hung his backpack in his locker at the rear of the room. Winding his way through the rows of desks, he noticed most of the girls kept their bears with them, propping them in front of them and fussing with the costumes. After he sat down in his seat, Mart waited for the teacher to start the day. He patiently went through the morning routine that included the Pledge of Allegiance and the lunch count. He wanted to raise his hand when his teacher, Miss Davidson, asked who would be buying sloppy joes in the cafeteria, but knew his mother had made him a thick Crabapple Farm Special. With the day started, Mart quickly completed his morning work, eager to get to the word puzzle he had seen on the back of his Weekly Reader. Mart was happily searching out various words and circling them when the morning recess bell interrupted him. As Mart rushed for the door, he saw Paul Stuckey step in his path. Paul, large and freckle faced, was a classmate who always seemed to find unique and embarrassing ways to tease Mart and had done so since kindergarten. Mart tried to avoid Paul but was unsuccessful. Paul managed to shove Mart so that Mart tripped over a chair and banged his shin.
“Ow!” yelled Mart, rubbing his leg.
“Hey, Belden, maybe you need glasses or something,” said Paul, laughing. “I hope your boo-boo doesn’t need a Sesame Street band-aid.”
Mart shot a glaring look toward Paul, then hobbled away to join Josh and the rest of his friends who were waiting at the door for Miss Davidson to lead them outside. Once Mart was on the playground, he broke into a run and joined his friends as they played on the big metal climber. Mart scampered to the top and stood, watching the other students as they ran around on the asphalt. Across from the climber, Mart saw his sister and her friend ,Diana Lynch, playing on the teeter-totters. Mart sighed contentedly as he watched Diana’s long, dark hair gleaming in the spring sunshine. “She is the most beautiful girl in the world,” he thought. “I bet her bear is wearing a tiara because I know Diana will be Miss America when she grows up.” Mart would have been happy to watch Diana throughout the entire recess, but the sound of his name being called brought him back into the ruckus of the playground. He quickly swung down from the climber and joined his friends in a game of kickball out in the surrounding field. When the bell rang, Mart and his friends ran back to the playground and lined up, their fun over.
Back in the classroom, Mart’s morning continued, but his concentration was constantly challenged by the loud growls that came from his stomach. When the lunch bell rang, Mart threw his crayons down on his desk, grabbed his lunchbox from his backpack and headed to the cafeteria. After finishing the lunch, Mart and his friends went outside to play until the bell rang, indicating the end of the noon recess.
The afternoon began with the teacher instructing the students to bring their teddy bears to the carpeted area of the classroom and to sit in a circle. Miss Davidson then asked each student to stand up, tell the class what their future goals were, and how their bear was dressed to represent that goal. Mart, fiddling with his shoelaces, listened politely as the others spoke He grew antsy when several giggling girls stood up and announced they wanted to be ballerinas or rock stars. “Rock stars and ballerinas. Sheesh! That’s dumber than a horse trainer for beer commercials,” he thought, then wondered how Trixie’s classmates were responding to her goal. Mart refrained from rolling his eyes when one girl stood up and, holding a fancily dressed bear, announced she wanted to be a princess. Mart’s thoughts were interrupted by Miss Davidson calling his name. He stood and held up his bear.
“My bear has a remote control because I want to be a game show contestant when I grow up,” he announced, blushing when he heard the rest of the class giggle at his choice.
“That’s very interesting, Mart,” said Miss Davidson. “Perhaps you can explain why you would like to do that.”
“Okay. Well, whenever I watch "Wheel of Fortune", I always seem to know the answer. So I decided be a contestant on that show and win all the money.”
Again the class laughed, despite a warning look from Miss Davidson.
“Mart, why do you think you know so many of the answers,” Miss Davidson asked.
Mart shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“I thought he said he always knows the answers,” whispered Paul loudly. Paul looked pleased when the students around him laughed, but Miss Davidson shushed him.
“Let me tell you what I think,” she said, returning her attention to Mart. “I think you listen when I talk, do your assignments, and like to read. Without realizing it, you have gained a lot of knowledge and being a good student is the first step in acquiring that knowledge.” Miss Davidson looked at the class sitting around here. “What else do you think helps a person acquire knowledge?”
Mart looked around, not sure if he was supposed to answer. Seeing Paul’s hand rise, Mart hoped Miss Davidson would ignore him, but she chose to call on him.
“Yes, Paul?”
Paul looked at Mart, then at the teacher. “You shouldn’t damage your brain by falling over chairs.”
The rest of the class snickered, while Miss Davidson shot Paul a warning look. “Mart, I believe that being a good student will really help you with this goal.”
Mart looked at his teacher, surprised. “You mean you think I could really do this?”
“Of course. Why not?” Miss Davidson smiled at Mart, then addressed the rest of the class. “Does anybody have any questions for Mart?”
Paul raised his hand and began waving it wildly.
“Yes, Paul,” said Miss Davidson. “I hope your question is about Mart’s goal,” she cautioned.
“Oh, it is. Mart, if you go on tv, will you have to wear make-up?”
The class broke out laughing while Mart again blushed and Miss Davidson frowned.
“Paul, that was an inappropriate thing to say. You need to apologize for your rudeness.”
Paul mumbled several words that none of the kids could understand.
“Mart,” directed his teacher, “you may sit down. Thank you for sharing. Paul, it’s your turn and I know the class will be polite to you.”
After Paul was done sharing, Miss Davidson announced they would all be going outside with their teddy bears for the picnic. Mart licked his lips in anticipation of the food that was going to be served, hoping there would be lots of cookies and maybe some milk or popcorn. Standing up, Mart followed the other boys as they lined up at the door. Miss Davidson opened the classroom door and they all filed out to the playground, where tables full of cookies had been set up. Once they were out the main door, the boys scattered, some running to the climber and others running to play kickball. Mart stopped when he heard a shrill whistle.
“Children!” the teacher shouted. “This is not recess. Please behave yourselves.”
Mart and his group slowly walked back to the asphalt area of the playground and waited in line to get some cookies. He noticed that Paul had ignored the teacher’s instructions and was scaling the big climber, flipping from bar to bar. While in line, Mart looked at all the teddy bears and tried to figure out what they represented. He saw Diana clutching a purple bear to her chest as she and Trixie waited in line to get some cookies. He tried to see how Diana’s bear was dressed but couldn’t catch a clear glimpse of it. All of a sudden, Mart heard a thud, followed by a painful howling noise that reverberated across the playground. Looking around, Mart saw
Paul lying in a twisted heap under the climber, holding his arm and wailing while the teachers hurried over. After a brief consultation, one teacher ran to fetch the school nurse, one stayed with Paul and the rest rushed back to the playground to begin handing out the cookies. Mart received his treats, then wandered away in search of his friends. He saw Trixie and Diana watching Paul as he lay moaning, Trixie’s eyes filled with disgust. Leaning over, she began whispering into Diana’s ear. Diana immediately turned and looked at Mart, her head bobbing as Trixie continued to whisper. Mart frowned, wondering what his sister could be saying. As Mart walked by Paul, he could hear Paul crying softly, holding his arm and the nurse telling him to lie still. Suddenly, Mart stopped. He saw Paul’s bear sitting on the ground, propped against the climber. Seeing Paul’s tear-streaked face, Mart made a quick decision. He walked over to the climber, grabbed the bear and laid it against Paul’s arm.
“Here. You might want this.” Mart said, then turned away.
“Th...thanks,” Paul grabbed the bear and buried his face into it, muffling his tears.
Mart joined the rest of his class and was soon stuffing another iced sugar cookie into his mouth. While chewing his fifth cookie, Mart heard Trixie whisper in his ear.
“What’d you do that for? I would have left Paul alone. He deserved to get hurted.”
Mart shook his head. “Be quiet, Trixie.”
“But why’d you give him his bear?”
Mart shrugged. “I don’t know. I just thought it would make him feel better.”
Trixie looked at her brother, her mouth hanging open in surprise at the response. Without saying anything else, Trixie turned and went to get another cookie. Mart shifted his bear in his hands and thought about getting another cookie too, but before he could get in line, he heard his name whispered.
“Mart.”
Mart spun around and found himself face to face with Diana.
“Uh, hi Diana.” He looked at Diana’s bear and saw that it was wearing a smock and had a paintbrush attached to its paw. “You want to be a painter?” he asked, pointing to the bear. “I was sure you’d want to be Miss America because you’re so pretty.” Mart was shocked when he realized what he had blurted out.
Diana shook her head. “I want to be an artist. But Mart, I saw what you did and I just want you to know I think you’re the nicest boy in the whole school.”
Diana looked around and then quickly placed a small kiss on Mart’s cheek. “I wish more boys were like you.”
Then Diana disappeared into the crowd of students that were milling around the cookie table. But Mart stood still, reeling from what he had said and then what Diana had done. As he moved toward the line to get another cookie, Mart gently rubbed his cheek. “I’m never going to wash my face again,” he vowed to himself. When the teddy bear picnic was over, Mart and the other kids returned to their classrooms where he again stashed his bear in his backpack. When the bell rang announcing the end of the school day, Mart grabbed his bag and ran to catch the bus that would take him back home to Crabapple Farm.
When the three Beldens got off the bus, Brian and Trixie, were chattering and chuckling as they shared the events of their day.
“Really, Trixie? You told your class you were going to take care of the horses in a beer commercial?” asked Brian.
Trixie nodded, her curls bouncing around her flushed face. “Yep. No point in lying about it. Besides, everybody loves those horses and those commercials.”
Brian turned to his brother. “Mart, you’re awfully quiet. How did your bear work out for you?”
Mart was startled out his dreamy state. “Huh? What?”
“What’s wrong with you? Are you upset about Paul?” asked a concerned Brian.
“No. I’m fine.”
“Then how did your goal sharing go?” asked Brian again.
Mart stopped, a slight grimace on his face. “ Oh, that. Well, it was okay until Paul Stuckey asked if I would have to wear makeup if I was on tv. Then everybody laughed.”
“Than what happened?” asked Brian.
“Miss Davidson pointed out that if you’re a good student and learn a lot, then you have what it takes to get on those shows, or something like that. I think she was trying to push the other kids to do good work. I don’t think Paul got the message.”
Beside Mart, Trixie scowled. “That Paul is so mean. Serves him right for falling. I heard he busted his arm.”
“Trixie,” Brian cautioned. “Be nice.”
Trixie snorted and pushed her curls out of her face. “I won’t waste my niceness on Paul. But Mart, after everything he’s done to you, you gave him his teddy bear after he fell. Why?”
Mart shrugged. “I don’t know. All of a sudden, I thought maybe having his teddy bear would make him feel better.”
Brian threw his arm across Mart’s shoulders. “See, Mart. You do want to be more than a game-show contestant. Maybe you’ll grow up and be a doctor or something.”
Mart laughed, but inside he thought. “I don’t care what I grow up to be as long as I get the girl.” He gently rubbed the sacred spot on his cheek, wondering if Diana would ever kiss him again.
Mart smiled at the sweet memory and brushed a hand across his cheek. “I guess I now know whether or not Diana would ever kiss me again.” Pulling the purple shirt over his head, Mart grabbed a sloppily wrapped package off his desk and went downstairs to join his mother in the kitchen.
“Good morning, Mart,” said Moms when Mart bounded into the room. “These muffins are delicious.”
Mart’s mouth watered as he watched his mother take a dainty bite out of a blueberry muffin that he’d made the night before. He glanced at the counter, assuring himself that the basket of muffins he had set aside for Diana was still untouched. He briefly admired the lavender ribbon tied to the basket then went to the refrigerator.
“Mart, I’ll be happy to make you some eggs,” Moms said as she licked the crumbs off her fingers.
“Thanks, Moms.” Mart grabbed a glass and poured himself some orange juice, then sat down at the table.
“So, the whole day is devoted to doing whatever Diana wants, as part of her birthday present?” questioned Moms.
Mart nodded his head. “That’s right. Whatever her heart desires is what we’ll do.” Mart sipped his orange juice while Moms began scrambling eggs. Grabbing a muffin from the pile on the plate, Mart peeled away the paper and took a big bite.
“Mmmm,” he chewed, a look of pure pleasure crossing his face. He was eager to finish his breakfast and then go to Diana’s house. His plan was to give her the gifts he had for her then surprise her with the proposal for the rest of the day. He licked his lips in anticipation of the delicious restaurant he was certain Diana would choose as part of her birthday treat.
“Thanks, Moms,” said Mart as Helen slid a plate in front of her son.
“I might as well make breakfast for the rest of the family,” she remarked, hearing the stirring sounds from the bedrooms above them.
Mart quickly scarfed down the hot, fluffy eggs then cleared his dishes from the table. He grabbed a pair of scissors from the kitchen drawer and walked out to the garden where he carefully snipped several roses that were still damp from the night’s dew. Coming back into the house, he saw Trixie and Bobby sitting at the table.
“Hey, Mart,” yelled Bobby. “Whatcha doin’ outside?”
“Oh, Bobby, don’t you know? Today’s Diana’s birthday and he’s cutting her a beautiful bouquet.” Trixie fanned a napkin in front of her face. “True love is so sweet.”
“You’re just jealous, Trixie. You’ve received one flower in your entire existence. Maybe one day you’ll get another one. Stranger things have happened.”
Trixie snorted at her brother, then hopped up to help her mother carry plates to the table, while Mart carefully wrapped up the roses and placed them next to the basket of muffins and the wrapped gift. After that, he left the kitchen and quickly did his chores.
A short time later, Mart drove up the long driveway to the Lynch mansion. Flipping down the sun visor, he checked his reflection, then snapped it back into place, and grabbed the pile of gifts. Despite his eagerness to start the celebratory day, Mart forced himself to walk slowly to the front door. After ringing the bell, however, he found himself impatient for the door to be opened.
“Hello, Mart,” said Harrison, after responding to the chimes that announced Mart’s arrival.
“Hi, Harrison. I’m here to see Diana.”
“Please come in.” Harrison opened the door wider and Mart stepped into the elegant foyer as Diana appeared on the landing above them.
“Mart!” she squealed, running down the wide flight of stairs. When she reached the bottom, she threw her arms around Mart and kissed him firmly on the mouth.
“Happy Birthday, my fair Diana,” said Mart, blushing from the affections of his girlfriend.
“Why are you here so early?” Diana asked.
“It’s your birthday and I have the whole day planned. Well, sort of.”
“What do you mean?” asked Diana, stepping back slightly. Mart noticed Diana was wearing a new lilac colored outfit with matching Keds tennis shoes. As usual, Diana looked beautiful and Mart wondered why she chose him when she could have any other guy in the school.
“Mart?” prodded Diana.
“Oh, yes, your birthday. So, I thought we could spend the entire day in pursuit of your wishes. This is your day and everything is about you and for you.”
“Oh, Mart! Really?” She threw her arms around him.
“Be careful,” cautioned Mart.
Diana stepped away and Mart showed her the basket of muffins, the bouquet of roses and the wrapped gift.
“Oh, Mart. The muffins look delicious and these roses smell so good.” Burying her nose in the fragrant blooms, she inhaled deeply.
“I made the muffins for you last night.”
“Oh, Mart, you’re so sweet.” Indicating Mart should follow her, Diana walked through the long foyer and into the kitchen where she found a vase for the flowers. Mart pulled a stool up to the kitchen island and the two sat down.
“Happy Birthday, Diana,” said Mart, pushing the wrapped gift toward the young woman.
Diana neatly slipped the paper off the package, then gasped.
“Oh, Mart. This is perfect,” she exclaimed, looking at a coffee table sized book of Impressionist paintings. “I love it!”
While Diana flipped through the book, Mart helped himself to a muffin, then offered one to Diana.
“Now, what do you mean when you say ‘today is about me and for me’?” asked Diana, gently pulling the muffin paper away from the home-made treat.
“Just what it sounds like. If you want to go to the mall, we’ll go to the mall. If you want to go on a picnic, that’s what we’ll do. It’s your choice and it’ll be my pleasure to make it happen.”
Mart watched Diana’s eyes light up with an excited sparkle. Munching on her muffin, Diana sat back and thought about how she wanted to spend the day. Mart ate another muffin while thinking about the potential choices Diana could make. He knew there was a carnival in White Plains they could attend. He closed his eyes and imagined the aromas that would be emanating from the various food carts. When he thought of the chili dogs and the piles of french fries, he felt himself salivating. Next, he pictured the two of them shopping in the big mall outside Sleepyside, him holding the bags while Diana browsed to her heart’s content. Then he would escort her to the food court where there would be a myriad of choices in front of them. Mart’s daydreaming was interrupted when Diana, still deep in thought, went to the refrigerator and poured two glasses of milk. Mart took a big gulp of the cold milk and immediately returned to his pleasant musings. Maybe she would decide to go to the art museum. Recognizing that the day was going to be a hot one, Mart appreciated the thought of wandering through the cool rooms and watching Diana’s face as she assessed the various paintings and art pieces. He knew there was a small cafe in the museum’s basement that sold thick, deli-style sandwiches. Mart felt confident that Diana’s choice would result in a delightful day for him as well. His thoughts ended abruptly when Diana snapped her fingers and jumped off her stool.
“Stay here. I’ll be right back,” she ordered.
Mart ate another muffin while Diana made a quick dash up the back stairs. He finished his glass of milk, then looked at Diana’s milk, debating whether he should finish it for her. Before he could decide, he heard her light footsteps coming back down the stairs.
“It’s all set,” she said breathlessly. “Oh Mart, We’re going to have the most perfect day.”
“What did you decide to do?” Mart reached for Diana’s milk, took several gulps, then finished it.
“That’ll be my surprise for you.”
“But Diana, if I don’t know where we’re going, how can I drive us there?”
“Don’t worry about that, Sweetie, I’ll direct you. Oh, Mart, I’m so excited. Let’s go!” Grabbing Mart’s hand, the two left the mansion.
“Are you sure you don’t want to tell me the plan?” questioned Mart as he carefully turned his car around in the driveway.
Diana shook her head. “No. But trust me, Mart. You’re going to love it.”
“Okay, my Sweet. It’s your day. Stopping at the bottom of the driveway, Mart looked at Diana, waiting for directions.
“Go towards White Plains,” instructed Diana.
Mart did as he was told, happily believing that Diana had chosen to go to the carnival.
“Now turn here,” said Diana.
Mart looked at her in surprise. With the turn that Diana directed, they were now going in the opposite direction from the carnival. Puzzled, Mart followed Diana’s instructions.
“Okay, at the next light, make a left turn,” she said.
Mart did as he was told, but was becoming more confused with each turn. They weren’t going in the direction of the mall or the museum either.
“Uh, Diana, are you sure we’re going in the right direction?”
“Yep,” Diana flipped her hair over her shoulders and looked at Mart. “Sweetie, you look a little upset. Is something wrong?”
“No. I just thought we were going to the carnival in White Plains.”
Diana laughed softly. “Oh no. That might be fun but what I have in mind is way more fun.”
“Okay. You’re the boss!”
“Turn here and then pull into that parking lot.”
Mart swung his car into the parking lot of a large strip mall.
“Where to, my fair Diana?”
“Drive to the end.”
Mart pulled into a space where Diana directed and turned off the car. Looking around the area, Mart saw several small establishments and a buffet restaurant.
“I think I’m going to like your idea,” he said, leaning forward to give Diana a kiss.
“Oh, Mart. I’m so happy to hear you say that. I was afraid you might be a little uncomfortable with it.”
“How could I ever be upset with a choice like this?”
“Let’s go,” Diana was eager to get out of the car.
The two linked hands and walked across the parking lot. As they neared the sidewalk, Mart pulled toward the buffet but Diana pulled in the opposite direction.
“Mart, what are you doing?”
Mart pointed to the buffet. “Aren’t we going there?”
“To the buffet? Mart, Sweetie, this is my fantasy birthday, not yours.”
Mart shrugged. “It seemed like a good idea to me.”
“Well, I have a better plan.” Diana pulled Mart along the sidewalk. “We’re here,” she announced, stopping in front of a small shop.
Mart looked up and gulped as he read the artful letters on the tinted window, “Lavender and Lilacs Day Spa.”
His eyes wide, he looked at Diana. “This is where we’re going?” he whispered, a shocked look on his face.
Diana nodded, her long dark hair falling over her shoulder. “I have scheduled mani-pedis for us.”
“You did what?”
“I scheduled mani-pedis for us. Come on.”
“No, wait. I’m not going in there and I’m not getting a ‘mani’ anything.”
“Oh, Mart. I was afraid you wouldn’t want to do this with me. I just thought it would be so much fun and it would just be you and me together.” Diana looked at the shop, then at Mart’s parked car. “I guess I could choose something else,” she said sadly.
Mart stared at Diana then at the decorated window in front of him.
“Mart?”
“What if I waited at the buffet and then you could mani-pedi to your heart’s content?” asked Mart, hoping the revised plan would appease Diana.
“No, Mart. I want us to spend the day together and you did say this was my day and I could choose the activity. Did you mean what you said?”
Mart sighed. “Yes.”
“Then let’s go,” Diana grabbed Mart’s hand and opened the door, leading him into the soothingly scented waiting area that was decorated in various shades of purple.
Diana walked up to the reception desk and checked in while Mart found a chair in the corner and sat down.
“Mart, come help me choose a polish shade,” called out Diana.
Mart reluctantly left his seat and followed Diana to a wall that was covered with tiny bottles of polish.
“There must be a thousand colors here,” muttered Mart.
“Don’t be silly. Definitely 50, maybe 100, but not 1000,” teased Diana.
Mart quickly grabbed one. “Here, this one’s fine.”
Diana looked at the bottle in Mart’s hand and grimaced. “Really, Mart? Since when have I worn orange polish?”
Mart replaced the bottle on the shelf then scanned the colors. His spied a purple polish with sparkles, pulled it off the shelf and handed it to Diana. “How about this?”
Diana’s happy smile touched Mart’s heart. “That’s perfect. Come on.” Diana led Mart back to the waiting area.
“We’re ready for you now,” announced a nail technician, giving the two a welcoming smile. “My name is Phong. We’ll get you started on your pedicures.”
The two followed Phong to the big, cushiony pedicure chairs that were located near the front of the spa. Mart watched as Diana slipped off her sandals and climbed into the chair, wriggling slightly to get herself comfortably settled.
“Come on, Mart. You’re going to love this.”
Mart begrudgingly slipped off his running shoes and climbed into the chair next to Diana’s. He looked at the basin at his feet that was filling with water. Phong added something to the water, causing it to foam up. “You can put your feet in now,” she directed.
Mart slowly lowered his feet into the basin, then relaxed as he felt the warm bubbly water surround him.
“Mart, look.” Diana picked up a remote control device that was on the table between them. “You can set the chair for any kind of back massage you want.”
Mart fiddled with the device and immediately felt the chair’s mechanics kneading his back muscles.
“Oooh,” he moaned quietly.
“Told you you’d like it,” said Diana smugly, as she selected a massage and settled back to enjoy it. Diana eagerly slipped her feet into her basin of warm water while chatting with her nail tech.
“Would you like some water?” asked Phong.
Mart nodded and was soon handed a chilled glass, garnished with cucumber slices.
“I don’t have to put these on my eyes, do I?” he questioned.
Phong shook her head, then left the two alone to enjoy their foot soak.
Mart sat back in the comfortable chair and began to relax, enjoying the various sensations that were pulsating through him. Suddenly, a commotion on the sidewalk outside the spa caught his attention. Cranking his head around, he panicked when he saw Paul Stuckey trying to peer in the spa’s window. Mart noted with despair that Paul was with his usual posse, a group of kids who delighted in being disruptive. Mart frantically looked around and, seeing a copy of an Elle magazine nearby, opened it and buried his face in the pages.
“Mart, what’s wrong?” asked Diana.
Before Mart could answer, Diana heard a pounding on the window. Seeing Paul, she groaned, “Just what we don’t need.”
Diana tried to ignore the group of boys outside as they whistled and shouted her name. But the group’s antics changed the moment Paul realized that Mart was sitting in the chair next to Diana.
“Hey, lookie there,” shouted Paul, pointing. “It’s Martie Belden and he’s getting his nails done. Aww...that’s so sweet.”
The rest of Paul’s gang immediately began whistling and calling out Mart’s name, while Mart continued to hide his face in the magazine. Diana motioned for the guys to leave them alone, but that only seemed to encourage them more.
“Hey, Martie,” yelled Paul, “are you getting a waxing too?”
Mart’s face was red, all the way to the tips of his ears. He was furious and embarrassed until he noticed Diana’s distress.
“Oh, Mart. I’m so sorry I got you into this,” Diana whispered, her eyes filling with tears.
“It’s okay, Diana,” said Mart, trying to soothe his girlfriend. “we both know that Paul’s a jerk. This is your day and that’s how we’re going to keep it.” Mart tossed the magazine aside and sat up in his chair.
“But,” Diana nodded her head toward the group outside. “They’re ruining it.”
“Only if we let them,” said Mart decisively. “Excuse me,” he called out to his nail tech, “Could I please have some more water? And could you add some more cucumbers?”
Phong hurried over to get Mart’s glass. ‘What happened to the cucumbers that were in here? Did they fall into the pedicure basin?”.
“No. I ate them.” Mart shrugged.
Diana watched in admiration as Mart gratefully accepted another glass of water and gulped it down. While fiddling with the remote control, Mart suddenly realized that the noise outside had ceased. Peeking over his shoulder, he saw the mall security guard waving Paul and his gang away from the spa.
“See, Diana. Everything’s fine now.” Mart reached out and gently clasped Diana’s hand. He exhaled quietly and watched as Diana began to relax. Feeling the soothing motions rippling across his spine, Mart sat back, closed his eyes and began to breathe easily. He was startled by the sounds of ripping and clanking as Phong, sitting on a stool at Mart’s feet, tore open a plastic bag and shook out the contents.
“Wh..what are those?” Mart asked, staring at an array of shiny implements.
“Tools of the trade,” winked the technician as she sorted and lined them up on towel covered tray.
“I thought you were just going to file down my nails or something. Those look like surgical tools. You’re not going to cut anything, are you?”
“No, don’t worry.” Phong looked at Diana. “Pedicure virgin?” she asked, nodding her head at Mart.
Grinning, Diana nodded then reached out to pat Mart’s hand. “It’ll be okay. Those tools just let them scrape, push back the cuticles and shape the nails.”
“Can’t she just clip my nails? That’s what I do and it works just fine.”
“Mart, this is so much more. Just relax and let Phong do her thing.”
Mart looked down at his feet in the foamy water, apprehension swirling around him
“Are you okay?” asked Phong as she pushed up her sleeves. She quickly slathered lotion on Mart’s feet and began to massage them, working out the stress.
“Ahhh...uh, I don’t know but that feels good.” Mart replied.
Diana giggled. “Just give him the man’s pedicure.” she instructed.
Mart’s head snapped around. “What’s that? It won’t involve pink polish or anything like that, will it?”
“No, just a massage, some trimming and nail buffing.”
Mart sat back in the comfortable chair. “That doesn’t sound too bad.”
He relaxed as the technician started to scrub his calves and feet. “What are you doing now?”
“Just exfoliating you,” she answered.
“Exfoliating me?”
“Yes,” began Diana. “That means they’re…”
“Oh, I know what ‘exfoliate’ means, Diana. I just never thought it would happen to me.”
Mart watched in silence as the technician rinsed his feet, then applied lotion to his toes. A few minutes later, she began scraping at his nails and working the lotion in.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you this quiet,” noted Diana. “It’s an interesting change.” She sat back, thoroughly enjoying the picture of Mart getting his first pedicure.
When the technician was done with Mart’s toes, she rinsed his feet in the basin, then wrapped them in a warm towel. Finally, she smoothed and buffed the nails until they had a nice shine to them. Looking up at Mart, she asked, “What do you think?”
Mart studied his toes, amazed at how nice they looked, appreciating the square cut of the nails and the natural shine. He nodded thoughtfully, “They look really nice. Thank you.” He smiled at Phong.
Mart sat and watched as Diana’s toes were painted in the sparkly purple polish, then the nail technician motioned them over to a pair of small work stations.
“What’s going on now?” asked Mart.
“We're getting our manicures,” explained Diana.
Mart sighed and sat down next to Diana. “Okay,” he said, wondering if this visit to the spa would ever end.
Immediately, Phong began soaking Mart’s hands, then covered them with lotion and massaged them.
“Aah,” said Mart, “that feels really good.”
“Okay, Mart. You have to relax your hands. You’re fighting it,” said Phong.
“Sorry.” Mart exhaled, making his entire body go limp in an attempt to relax his hands.
After his manicure was finished, Mart sat next to Diana and monitored her progress. “Diana, relax. If you don’t fight the hand massage, you’ll get more out of it.”
“Thanks, Mart.”
“I think you should have your nails squared off. Don’t you agree?”
Diana looked at Mart out of the corner of her eye. “I think you need to go find a magazine to read.”
“Am I bothering you?”
Diana’s steely look answered Mart’s question. He wandered over to the front window where he watched the people coming and going in the parking lot. His was interrupted by a soft tapping on his shoulder.
“Can I offer you a complimentary neck massage?” asked a young woman, who introduced herself as a massage therapist.
Mart shrugged. “I’ve come this far, so why not.”
The massage therapist sat Mart in her chair and had him lean forward so he could rest his head on a hollowed out pillow. As the massage therapist worked her magic on Mart’s tense neck and shoulders, his groans became louder and louder.
“Ooh, ooh, that feels so good. Oh yes, that’s the spot. Ooohh. More...…”
Diana, finished with her manicure, walked over to Mart and whispered, “Mart, I think you’re making this spa ‘X’ rated.“
Mart’s head jerked up. “Huh?”
“You’re moaning and groaning all over the place. You sound like you’re in a bad porno flick.”
“Oh, sorry, Diana. You have no idea how good this feels.”
“Enjoy it, Sweetie. I’m just going to finish drying my nails.”
Diana sat down to wait for her nails to dry and watched the changing expressions on Mart’s face in response to his relaxing massage.
“There you go. And it looks like your girlfriend’s nails are dry,” said the therapist.
Mart slowly stood up and thanked the young woman.
“You know what, Diana? I feel great!” Mart rolled his shoulders and bobbed his head back and forth. “Yep. I don’t even think Moms’ cheesecake can make me feel this good.”
Diana giggled, then held out her hands. “What do you think of the color you chose?”
“Perfect, just like you.”
After settling the bill, the two walked out of the spa. Pausing on the sidewalk, Diana looked up at Mart.
“You know, Mart, we could go to that buffet if you want,” she suggested.
Mart looked at the restaurant at the other end of the strip mall. “Only if you want to. This is still your birthday.”
“I know. But that pedicure was a bit rough on you, thanks to Paul Stuckey.”
Mart shrugged. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Diana. It was all worth it to make you happy. So, I’m ready for whatever you want to do now.”
Diana grinned, “Well, in that case…”
“But, I might have to draw the line if we’re getting our hair streaked, or lightened, or whatever you call it.”
“No, Mart. The correct term is ‘highlighted’ and I wouldn’t let anybody touch those beautiful, blond curls.”
“A manicure, a pedicure and now I have beautiful blond curls. Your birthday is a definite attack on my masculinity.”
Diana giggled. “Do you think your masculinity can handle the Pacific Rim Restaurant in White Plains?”
Mart grabbed Diana’s hand, kissing it lightly. “It’s handled everything else today. But only if that’s what you want.”
“If we’re there together, then it will be perfect,” whispered Diana, her lips grazing Mart’s ear.
Hand in hand, the two walked to the car. “You know,” mused Mart, “the mani-pedis weren’t that bad. And the neck massage felt great.”
“Maybe next year we can get facials together,” suggested Diana, a sly smile on her face.
“Uh, maybe or...maybe not,” grinned Mart. He unlocked the car for Diana, then paused. “Diana, I was happy to do this with you, but I’d rather not have to share it with the other Bobwhites. Is that okay? I mean, Jim, Brian and Honey would probably keep quiet but Dan and Trixie would have a field day with it.”
Diana laughed. “Of course, Mart. But don’t worry about Dan and Trixie. I happen to know a few of their secrets.” Winking at Mart, she stepped into the car.
As Mart made his way around the car, he wondered, “Their secrets? Hmmm..maybe if I agree to a facial, she’ll tell me what she knows. That could come in handy.” Mart, lost in thought, stopped with his hand resting on the car door handle.
“Mart, come on, it’s hot in here.”
Before Mart could slide behind the wheel, he heard a commotion coming from the corner of the parking lot. Whipping his head around, he saw Paul sitting on the concrete, moaning and rocking back and forth, with his posse clustered around him. He watched as Paul’s friends opened the trunk and began frantically searching through it. Mart could see what appeared to be blood all over Paul’s hands.
“I’ll be right back, Diana,” he said, leaving his car door open. He quickly walked across the parking lot and stood in front of Paul.
“What happened?” Mart asked.
Paul waved one hand through the air. “Those idiots opened the car door into my face and now my frickin’ nose is bleeding and it’s probably broken. You better stay away, Belden. Wouldn’t want you to ruin your fresh nails.” Paul lay down on the asphalt, his hand covering his nose.
“Stop,” ordered Mart as he pulled Paul to a seated position. “Just lean forward and pinch your nose.” Mart showed him where to pinch it. “Don’t lie back and don’t fuss with it. “ He looked at Paul’s group, standing open mouthed as they watched Mart take charge of the situation. “One of you guys needs to run to that buffet and get a cup of ice so Paul can hold that against his nose.” Mart grabbed the towel that the group had found in the trunk and handed it to Paul. “Here. You can wipe off some of the blood with that.”
Then, Mart turned and strode back across the parking lot and got into his car.
“Mart!” whispered Diana.
Mart turned and saw the amazed face of his girlfriend. “That reminds me of the day we had the teddy bear picnic when we were in elementary school. This is like ‘deja-view’.”
“Deja- view?”
Diana giggled. “Yes. In my candied opinion, it’s definitely ‘deja-view’!”
Mart laughed softly. “You know, I found my teddy bear in a box this morning and remembered that same day.”
“Mart, I still think you are the nicest boy ever!”
Leaning across the car’s console, Diana gave Mart a deep kiss. “Too bad more people aren’t like you,” she said softly. “Tell you what, after we’re done at the Pacific Rim Restaurant, let’s stop at the Sleepyside Bakery and grab some iced sugar cookies. Then maybe we can go home and watch Wheel of Fortune,” she smiled.
“Only if you want to,” said Mart as he leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Diana’s cheek.
Driving out of the parking lot, Mart glanced at Diana and smiled. “Oh, yes. I definitely got the girl.”
