by
Patricia Keister
Catie jumped out of her bed with more enthusiasm than four 8 year olds put together. Throwing on her robe as she ran, Catie headed for the kitchen area of the apartment.
Her joy bubbling over, the little blond was hard pressed at being quiet.
She took a tray and a carafe and two mugs from the cupboard. As carefully as possible, Catie dispensed coffee into the carafe and mugs. Then she took a container of various chopped fruits from the refrigerator and, popping the top off, placed it on the tray.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Catie whirled around quickly, trying to hide the contents on the counter.
"What're you doing?" Four year old Victor wiped the sleep from his eyes.
Catie's panic subsided and she placed a finger to her lips. "Shhh! It's a surprise for Mommy and Daddy!" Catie turned back to her work.
This information had Victor wide awake and curious. "What's the surprise for?" he nearly yelled.
"Shhh! Catie glared at him. "Do you wanna wake them up? Be quiet or else you'll have to go back to bed." Catie went back to her work of placing biscuits in the toaster.
Victor eagerly pulled a chair up close to the counter and climbed up. He leaned close to Catie and spoke in a loud whisper. "What's the surprise for?"
Catie rolled her eyes. `It's times like this,' she thought, `that little brothers are annoying.' "You'll see!" She said aloud deciding to tease him. "Do you wanna help?"
Victor nodded enthusiastically.
"Get the jam out of the refrigerator, please." Catie pulled the hot biscuits from the toaster as her brother jumped down to do as she asked.
Victor handed her the jam and climbed back up into the chair.
Catie spread the jam on the biscuits, making quite a mess. "Do you know what today is, Victor?" He shook his head as he watched her. "Today is a special day. Today is a special day for Daddy. Everybody has to be nice to him today. Do you know why?"
Victor shook his head again as he watched his sister take a small plate out of the cupboard and place the biscuits on it. He was getting very hungry as he watched her. Victor reached out and scooped some jam off the counter with his fingers and popped them in his mouth.
"There!" Catie took a half a step back and admired her work. "That's perfect!"
Lifting the tray carefully and unsteadily, Catie make her way slowly to her parent's bedroom with Victor close behind. "Victor," she whispered, "open the door for me please."
Her brother did as he was told and the door slid back quietly.
Oblivious to their children, John and Helena Koenig slept peacefully, curled together under the covers.
Like tiny mice, the children crept slowly around their father's side of the bed. Catie placed the tray on his side table and grabbed Victor's hand. She pulled him around to the foot of the bed and whispered in his ear.
Victor grinned broadly and nodded his agreement.
Helena began to stir as Catie counted softly. "1...2...3," then the two spoke loudly in unison, "Happy Birthday, Daddy!"
John and Helena almost sat straight up. They looked at their children in shock for a moment and them smiled as they clamored up onto the bed and into their laps.
"What's all this?" Helena asked.
Catie hugged her father tightly. "It's Daddy's birthday today!" She said. Victor copied his sister.
"Well so it is! Thank you children." John hugged them back. "What smells so good?" He sniffed the air.
Catie climbed down and carefully lifted the tray. She handed it over to her parents, spilling a bit of the coffee. "I made you breakfast!" She declared.
"I helped!" Victor piped in.
"Only a little." Catie announced.
Helena put her arm around her son. "A little is good when you're little."
"Father?" Catie climbed back up on the bed. "Do you know what we're doing all day in the level G rec"room?"
John fained innocence. "What?"
"We're having a huge St. Patrick's Day party all day for all shifts." Catie said as if she were announcing a bulletin. "For us it will be like two parties in one. It's St. Paddy's Day and it's Daddy's birthday!" Catie clapped excitedly.
Victor climbed into his mother's lap. His voice shook with excitement. "Mommy, can I go to the St.. Daddy's Day Party, too?"
They all laughed heartily and Helena hugged her son tightly. "Of course you can!"