Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch - 28, Engagement Party

Catherine was still busy at work. There more and more new cases every day for both her and John. His latest case brought him to the courts. This case was on the custody of a little girl who didn’t want to go to either her mother or fathers.

John wanted relaxing to do. Like going to the zoo and feeding the animals. He liked the monkeys. He decided to call Catherine when his doorbell rang. It happened to be Catherine. He asked her if she wanted to go to the zoo. She said she would have to change her clothes.

After she left t go to her apartment he went to go put on something more appropriate. Tan dress pants and a brown dress shirt. Sandals for his feet. He checked the apartment. Everything was turned off. He went to Catherine’s door and waited outside. Catherine was almost ready. She chose a brown print shorts and a tan short sleeved blouse. Sandals on her feet and brown stone jewelry. Her light brown hair was bouncing off her shoulders making her look angelic. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror. The doorbell rang. When she opened the door it was John. She laughed at him and said

“We dressed alike.”

“Are you ready?” John asked.

“I have to check everything first.” Catherine said.

She went into the apartment and looked at everything quickly. She had left on the bathroom light. She turned it off and went to John and closed the door, and locked it. They walked to the car in the parking lot and John opened the passenger door for Catherine. She got in and fastened her seat belt. John got in and closed his door, and fastened his seat belt, and then he started his car, opened the windows and drove to the zoo. Traffic was slow, but the weather was nice. A soft breeze was blowing from the west. The parking lot wasn’t full yet. He thought it would be being it was such a nice day. When he parked he thought he saw a friend’s car. He asked Catherine if she remembered Dick, from the picnic.

“Yes I do, very nice guy.” Catherine said.

“Maybe we will run into him. Give me your hand otherwise you will get lost. You walk too slow.” He says with a big smile.

John took Catherine to his favorite exhibit. The monkeys were buys swinging on the tree limbs. Chatting to each other one monkey was holding two baby monkeys in her arms.

“That will be me after we get married, we will have twins.” Catherin said.

Catherine wanted to see the tigers. They are so beautiful with their stripes, and big rawres and head.

John suggested that they go see the snakes. He knew Catherine had a fear of them. The zoo keeper took out a small snake so she could hold it. She put a finger on it and that was all she would do. While at the polar bears exhibit they saw Dick. He was John’s friend the one from the BBQ, he did the grilling. They decided to go see the penguins. They are so funny in their black suits. The planetarium was so busy they didn’t stay too long.

Dick, John, and Catherine go to the restaurant and have a cup of tea and a sandwich. Turkey for John.Ham for Dick, and egg salad for Catherine.

“How is the engagement party coming along?” Dick asked.

“We’ve been so busy at work that we haven’t given it much thought.” John said.

John asked Dick if he had been introduced to Catherine’s friend Mary Ann.

“I don’t think so.” Dick said.

“I’ll introduce you I think you will like her. She is pretty and smart.” John said.

John asked Dick if he would do all the grilling for the party. Catherine added that they would have a small party. 25 or 30 people were enough. This was how the planning of the party got started.

They finished eating.

“I have to meet my girlfriend, and I’m late already.” Dick said.

“Who are you going out with now?” John asked.

“Her name is Maggie. It’s short for Margaret. You will both meet her at the party. She is a red head with lots of freckles.” Dick says.

“We need to go too; we have to check with our parents, about the party, and see if they are planning anything for them.” Catherine says.

She punches in the number for her parents’ home. Father answers the phone and asks how she is doing. Catherine tells him that she is fine and she asks him if him was planning an engagement party for them. He tells her no but tells her to ask mother. Mother was doing the dishes.

“Hello, how are you?” Mother says.

“Fine, we are wondering if you are doing anything like an engagement party for us?” Catherine asks.

“No.” Mother says.

“John and I were planning a small beach party, 25 to 30 people, would you send a list of family to invite to both party and wedding? Remember John has people to invite also. Just send it to me in the mail. Good bye. Love you.” Catherine said.

They got their ice-cream cones. Mint chocolate chip for Catherine and raspberry sherbet for John. It’s been a long time since he had sherbet. He forgot how good it was. John gave Catherine a big smooch on the lips.

“The mint ice cream is good.” John said.

They went to their apartments.

“I’ll give my parents a call.” John said as he dialed the phone.

Mama answered the phone.

“Good to hear from you, How have you been?” Mama asked.

“Did you plan an engagement party for us?” John asked.

“No. We haven’t given it much thought.” Mama said.

“Good as we are thinking of a beach party. We have decided on 25 to 30 people. Please send me a special list of people you want to come to the party and the wedding. Remember that means that Catherine’s list is small also. Send an e mail with the list. How are things at the orchard?” John asked.

“Everything is fine now.” Mother said.

Three days later they receive the list of guest. Catherine made the list of invitations on the computer. She addressed them, put on stamps and mailed them. The party would be the first Saturday of august. Their list was 30 people.

Catherine bought the products from the warehouse. She put in her orders for the brats and hamburgers from the butcher, assorted cupcakes from the bakery, and potato salad from the deli. John put his order in for 2 kegs of beer, they had 3 weeks till the party. Time went by fast. John parents couldn’t make it. Catherine’s parents came but were disappointed that John’s parents couldn’t make it. They would meet at the wedding. They stayed at the motel being that Catherine would be busy with the party. The day of the party everything went like a breeze in spring time. They had a volley ball net set up and a large boom box going with dance music for the dancers. There was plenty of water to swim in. Dick was master of ceremonies at the beginning of the party he introduced John and Catherine as an engaged couple. A toast to a short engagement, and a long marriage. The evening went along as smooth as slik. By 11 o’ clock they were ready to close everything down. John’s and Catherine’s friend help clean up everything. Catherine’s parents stayed at her apartment for the night. Dick did a good job grilling as did his helpers.

Everyone was tired when they arrived home. Especially John and Catherine. Catherine’s parents told her not to wake them because they would sleep in late.