The 24th Year - A Short Story

The Altona Annual
January 16, 2009


The 24th Year - A Short Story

It was just another routine Friday in the suburbs of Boston for Carrie Oakey. As the alarm clock struck 5:00am, Carrie arose to a brisk chill caused by the draft from the window behind him. She quickly put on her slippers and crept into the Kitchen to start toasting her morning poptart, careful as to not wake her darling love and state roommate Stamford "Handyman" Branch.

As she softly closed her bedroom door and stepped towards the bathroom she let out a small chuckle as she opened the bathroom door. Poor Stamford had fallen asleep on Carrie's toilet again while relieving himself in the early morning hours. "Stamford, how did you manage to get in here without waking me up", she said while giving him a gentle nudge. As Stamford awoke with a befuddled look on his face, he didn't say one word, instead, he simply stood up and walked back to his bedroom, forgetting that his pants were still around his ankles. As Carrie flushed Stamford's deposits, she remained in deep thought about how it was her birthday and she was now 24 years old. "Man I'm getting old, it feels like it was just yesterday when Rufus Feldmore was schooling me in driveway basketball on Cogan Avenue. Today is going to be a great day!"

As Carrie finished her business, she looked up partially startled as Ms. Ali Pellerin glared at her for waking her up. "What do you think it's your birthday or something Carrie, keep it down I am trying to get my beauty sleep!", she roared harshly. Carrie apologized and went back into the kitchen to eat her now slightly burnt poptart, feeling sad and alone. Afterall, her own girlfriend had not even realized today was her birthday. That's ok she thought, my family and friends will call and wish me a happy birthday. And with that note of confidence, she set off for work.

Work was typical, she spent his morning doing normal insurance company things and sending emails to her friends. "Sanderson Times is really coming along nicely, but it's now two o'clock in the afternoon and no one has responded. Where are my friends and why have my parents not called me?", said Carrie looking sadly down at her keyboard. "Oh hey there Crriea, I'm going to need you to work late tonight. Only til eight-thirty, you don't have a problem with that or any plans do you?", her boss said arrogantly. "No sir I suppose I can do that...but today is.....", sighed Carrie, but before she was able to say anything further her manager shot a grin and thanked her and immediately marched on down the hall. "Everyone, can I have your attention!? I would like for you all to have a great weekend and for all of you except Carrie Oakey over there", pointing at Carrie as if she was thankful to be working late, " you can all have the rest of the day off, enjoy your weekend!" Carrie for the second time today, on her birthday no less, felt sad and completely alone.

"Finally 8:30, thank heavens...let's get out of this hell hole", said a relieved Carrie, "I just want to go home, go to bed and forget this day!" On her way home she got stuck in weekend traffic and remained in gridlock for 45 minutes. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I HATE MY LIFE!", screamed Carrie. She finally pulled into her parking lot and ended up having to park several spots over due to three New York automobiles being in her usual parking places. As she walked through the door she met Ali and Austin walking down the stairs. "Oh hey there guys, where ya headed?", asked Carrie. Ali shot him a deadly glare, "We're going to Wendy's for a quick bite to eat since you took forever to get home Carrie!" "Oh I'm sorry I had to...", but before Carrie was able to finish her sentence, Ali shot her a look that would make the girl in the exorcist look like a Saint, "sorry I didn't know I upset you all...I will just tag along and sit in the backseat", stated Carrie.

As they pulled into the Wendy's parking lot, it was unusually empty for this hour. As they entered the fast food restaurant Carrie was shocked. "Surprise!", yelled Otis Sanderson, Luther Brewster, Yashur al Faqur, Joanne and Dave Slater, and Rufus Feldmore. "Wha..Whaa..Whatttt's going on here?!", Carrie stuttered. "We all drove here and rented out Wendy's for your birthday Carrie, we know how much you love your Wendy's", explained the group! "Yashur, what are you doing over there", questioned Carrie as she watched Yahsur take his mouth off of what looked like a beer spicket. "It's a keg of Red Stripe ofcourse!", slurred an already drunk Yashur, "we got it for your birthday, drink up Carrie!"

And that is the story of how Carrie spent the first day of his 24th year. With friends, family and girlfriend by her side, all pretending to avoid her throughout the day so they could bring her the best birthday surprise she's ever experienced, they ate Wendy's and drank Red Stripe til the early hours of the morning. Well..........late enough to at least witness Yashur getting thrown out for trying to cut rug with one of the hispanic Wendy's latenight staff. Sorry Yashur, those Massachusett's girls don't know good rug cuttin when they see it (Columbian Girls).

The End.

Rufus Feldmore Associate Writer
The Sanderson Times