* * *
My fingers gripped the seat and my eyes were tightly shut. I wished it was foggy because Melanie drove more slowly in the fog. Right now, she texted as she drove. I hated driving with her. Hearing the clicking of CD cases, I snapped, "Can I help you? I'm not driving right now."
"Find the Rent soundtrack and put it in." Melanie glanced at the road before looking at her phone.
Hunting through the stack of CD’s I found Rent and put it in the player. “Thank you for taking me out tonight.”
Melanie smiled. “This is what you wanted for your birthday gift, a movie and dinner with me, which I totally understand, because I am awesome.”
“And yet you left two new outfits on my bed this morning.”
“You needed those for camp.”
I rolled my eyes, I didn’t need new clothes. “Thank you for them. I don’t think I said thanks because of all the crazy this morning.”
Melanie set her phone down and patted my leg. “You’re welcome and with all you do for me, you deserve it. I wanted your birthday to be special.”
I didn’t help Melanie out in order to get stuff, but because my mom advised me in her journal never to waste an opportunity.
"Frequently people will open up opportunities to you because they need help, and by helping someone you never know what will come of it. It might be something simple like finding out about a great pizza place, because that's where they order lunch when you help them move. It could also lead to meeting new people, people who could become friends, or know of a job, or a place to live. You never know what you can gain by accepting requests for help. Opportunities are everywhere, so don't be afraid of a little hard work, you never know what it'll get you."
“I like helping you, and you pay me.” I said feeling guilty. Melanie was generous and some of her friends took advantage of her. I didn’t want to become one of those people.
Melanie laughed. “No worries Sara, I know that. I like hanging out with you, and anyway I’ve wanted to see this movie forever.”