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I hurried inside my apartment and toward my kitchen. Grabbing a knife, I quickly cut the tape to get into the gift's goodness.
Inside were a bunch of my favorite candy bars, snacks, and a thick scrapbook. I knew Erica used to scrapbook when we were younger, so I was eager to see what was inside.
Opening the scrapbook, I saw endless pictures of Erica and me. Pictures of us in diapers, images of us at dances, and even ones from our high school graduation.
We were quite the sight: Me with my black eyeliner and her with her Converse sneakers. It warmed my heart, and I truly loved it. It showed how much she thought about us and how much our friendship meant. I would have to thank her profusely the next time we talked.
I put the box aside and took the scrapbook toward my balcony. I wanted to gaze at the skyline as I continued to scroll through the pages of memories.
As I walked through my balcony doors, my phone rang, the signature tick-tick sound of my brother's ringtone.
"Hey, Scott. What's up?" I said into the phone, expecting to hear my brother Scott's voice.
"Happy birthday!" Three voices said all at once.
I recognized the other two voices immediately. They belonged to my parents. The three of them must have been at my parents' house together.
"Thank you, thank you."
"You're welcome. What is my baby boy doing today?" my mom, Katrina, asked.
"Not much, just talking to you guys and getting ready for our vacation. What are you all up to today?" I responded with a smile.
I love talking with my family since we are super close.
"We are just planning for our trip too. We are so thankful that you are paying for it," my dad, Walter, said next.
"It really is no problem," I responded, and it wasn't.
I made good money as a movie producer in Hollywood and wanted to share it with my family. The trip was my way of saying thank you for all they've done to support me over the years. Plus, I could use a vacation.
Work had been draining, but enjoyable, for the past few months. Working with such a big star called for late nights and early mornings for the entire film crew. I was thankful that no one on set had complained during the whole process; I had a good group of workers on my hands.
"How is the movie going?" my dad asked.
"It's going great," I said as I sat on my outdoor couch. "Kate Winslet is starring in it, and the crew has been awesome. We should be finished filming any day now."
"Kate Winslet?" my mom spoke up.
"That's awesome, little bro," my brother said breathlessly. "She is so damn hot."
"Scott, watch your mouth." My mom could be heard slapping Scott upside the head.
I laughed at their antics.
"Have you guys started packing yet?" I asked.
"Your father insisted that we packed a week ago, so we've been packed, but your brother still hasn't," my mom said. "At this rate, he will pack the morning of our flight. Speaking of the flight, where exactly are we going?"
I snickered. The vacation was a surprise. I had bribed the airline not to send my parents and brother emails with the destination on them. I also got them first-class seats, which would surprise them once they got to the airport.
"You all know it's a surprise," I responded with a wicked grin. "I promise you will enjoy it, though. Where we are going is warm. That is the only hint I will give you."
"Fine," my mom complained. "But if we overpack, it's on you."
I let out a loud laugh. My mom always overpacked for trips.
While this would be a one-week vacation, I wouldn't be surprised if she packed over a dozen outfits.
