I am about to tell you about a wonderful evening that I spent with my sister some years ago. It was her birthday and a very special time for her. But before I get to the activities, I should give you some background. Some of this may seem irrelevant but I assure you it bears on the story.

At the time of this story I was 24 years old. I was 6'1" and weighed about 185 pounds. I was in fairly good shape as I had been working for six years at the US Post Office in the Parcel Post department. This involved lots of heavy lifting and so kept me in shape. I was single and had an apartment of my own in town.

When I first started at the Post Office I met Joe who worked in the same department. We became best friends and could depend on each other for anything we needed. After a few months Joe confessed to me that he was the son of the Don of the local "Family". He was estranged from his family and had no connection to them or the things they did. His name was actually Giuseppi. I will not reveal his last name for both our protections. There came a time when Joe came to me and asked a favor. I did not ask why or anything else. I simply did as he asked. That was the kind of friendship we had.

This favor, unlike others we had done for each other, was very big. It had an effect on the rest of Joe's life. I asked no reward or payment or recognition. I simply helped my friend, as I knew he would if the tables were turned.

About a week after the favor, I was sitting in my apartment enjoying an evening off when there was a knock on the door. I went to see who it was and found two rather large gentlemen dressed in dark suits. They informed me that "The Don" would be grateful if I would come and meet with him at his home. I was going to decline, but after looking at my two visitors, I decided it might be a good idea to accept the invitation. And so I went and met with Joe's father.

It was a short and friendly visit. He wanted to thank me for what I had done for his son. I told him he owed me no thanks since it was not for him but for Joe and it was done because we were friends. He offered me a rather large reward that I declined. He then sat at his desk and took out a business card. The card had only his name on it and nothing else. He wrote something on the back of the card and handed it to me. I could not tell what he wrote as it was in Italian. He told me that I should keep the card and if I ever needed a favor I should show it to anyone in town and I would get what I needed.

I almost refused but then thought there was no harm in accepting the card. It did not obligate me in any way and it made him feel he had done something for his son. We shook hands and I was driven back to my apartment. I never saw him again and at his request never mentioned it to Joe. I soon forgot all about the card that was tucked into my wallet with so many others.

Time passed and one evening while I was having dinner at my favorite restaurant, Tony's Fine Italian Dining, I noticed two tough looking guys talking to Tony. It looked like trouble to me. I stopped the waiter and asked what was going on. He said "familia" and hurried away.

The men were getting a bit rough with Tony and I was worried he might be hurt. I suddenly remembered the card. I called the waiter back over and placed the card face up on his tray. I asked him to go over and ask the two men to please join me for a word. He did as I asked and I watched with interest. One of the men picked up the card angrily and read it. His face paled and he looked in my direction. I smiled at him and gestured for him to come over. He and his friend came over and he returned the card.

"How may I be of service sir?" he said respectfully.

I informed them that Tony was a friend and asked if they would mind leaving him alone. They looked at the card again and told me that they would do as I asked and would make Tony and his place off limits. It would from that time forward be under my protection. They mumbled something to Tony as they left and were gone.

Tony came over and thanked me. It seems I had saved his business and possibly his ass as well. I told him to forget it and went back to eating the great meal he always served.

Now, on to the story.

My sister Ginny (Virginia) was the youngest of six children and I was the oldest. As I said, I was 24 at the time. Ginny was 13 going on 14. All the other kids were long gone from home and Ginny lived with Mom at the old farmhouse outside of town where we all grew up. Ginny had always been the baby of the family and she hated it. Well, she hated being told that. She was not beyond using it to her advantage at times though.

It was August and Ginny was excited. Her 14th birthday was coming up and it had great meaning for her. Mom had been telling Ginny for ages that she would not be allowed to go out on a real date with a boy until she started High School. Well, she was due to start in just one month and she could not wait. She went on and on about it and finally told Mom that all she wanted for her birthday was to be allowed to go out on a real date with a boy. I went out to see them a couple of times a week and it seemed that all I ever heard was her pleading with Mom about that date. Mom didn't answer her. She said neither yes nor no.

As the big day approached, I found time to go see Mom when Ginny wasn't home. I had some ideas for a birthday gift but needed Mom's input. When I asked her for an idea she smiled and said nothing at first. I waited. She finally looked me in the eye and said, "Take her on her first real date." Well, I was floored at first. Me? Take my kid sister on a date? No way Jose! But Mom just smiled and went about what she had been doing.

"Come on Mom. You must have some other ideas." She didn't answer. She smiled her special smile. We all knew that one. It was her, "I have said all I'm saying," smile. When she did that, it was over for the family. You just did as she "suggested". "OK, Mom. I'll figure something out."

"This must be a real date," she said firmly. "No fooling around with a quick movie and a burger. She deserves the best you can come up with on short notice." And so I was hooked. I left her there with that damn smile of hers and went off to have dinner at Tony's.

Now I love my sister very much. She and I had always been close even if I did think she was a pest at times. So there I was sitting at Tony's waiting for my dinner and trying to think what the hell I was going to do. I was a million miles away when I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Tony. "You seem a little down, my friend. Is there something on your mind?"

So I told him about my dilemma. He thought about it for a few minutes and then said, "You enjoy your dinner and I will be back when you finish. Do not worry. Tony will fix things." I tried to tell him it wasn't his problem but he ignored me and went to his office.

I enjoyed my dinner as always. I put my problem out of my mind and just ate. The food was so good at Tony's that I just couldn't think of problems. As the waiter was clearing away my dishes I saw Tony headed my way. He had a huge smile on his face. He looked like he had just won the lottery. He sat down at my table and started telling me what he planned. I tried to stop him but he would not hear of it.

"This is my chance to repay you for your kindness. I will not take no for an answer." And so he explained what had already been arranged. All I needed to do was give him the date and my Mom's address. He would take care of everything. Well, almost everything.

"You must pick out a special gift for your sister," he said. "He handed me a slip of paper. "Go see this man at his shop tomorrow and he will help you choose a nice gift. Leave the rest to me. I will give you all the details in a day or two." I agreed and was about to leave when he stopped me. "One more thing. You must call her on the phone and ask her if she will do you the honor of going out with you to celebrate her birthday. No details just the invitation. Yes?" And with that, I was out of there.

It was only about a week to the big day; so when I got home I decided that I had better call Ginny right away and get it settled. I dialed the number feeling strangely nervous. It was almost as if I was asking a girl out on my first date. The phone rang a few times and then Mom answered.

"Hi, Mom. I'm calling to ask Ginny out on a date. May I speak to her please?"

"Just a moment"

I waited patiently; and after what seemed an awfully long time Ginny came to the phone.

"Hello?" I could hear the question in her voice. Mom must not have told her who it was.

"Good evening Virginia. How are you?" I tried to make it sound like I was not family.

"Sky? What are you up to? You never call me by my full name. What's up?"

"Well, Virginia, I am calling to ask you out on a special date. I would be honored to spend the evening with you on your birthday to celebrate your reaching dating age. Will you go out with me?"

There was a long pause. Then I could hear her talking to Mom. I couldn't hear what was said but she finally came back on. "Thank you Sky. I would be delighted to go out with you. Will it be casual or what? I'll need to know what to wear."

"It'll be semi-formal. I'm sure your Mother will be able to help you get ready. May I speak to her again please? And thank you for accepting. I look forward to our date."

She said, "Thank you too." After a pause Mom was back on the line. She wanted all the details. I told her I didn't have them yet but would the next day. I promised to call her and fill her in as soon as possible.

I went to see the man Tony sent me to and picked out a special gift. It was to be delivered to Ginny on her birthday. I called Mom and told her what was needed. I told her that she was to take Ginny to certain places for her dress and her hair and makeup. It was all arranged. Mom would be allowed to pay a drastically reduced price for what was needed as her gift to Ginny. She agreed and I said I would see her on Friday evening at 7. She promised to have Ginny ready.

That left only one thing: A visit to the men's clothing store with Tony. I didn't own a suit or even a sport coat. And I had no taste in clothes at all. He helped me pick out a nice outfit. It was dark blue slacks with a lighter blue sport coat. I also got a nice white shirt and a conservative tie. Now all I had to do was wait.

After what seemed like a month of waiting, it was finally the day. I spent the afternoon getting ready. I shaved and showered and trimmed and polished and then I went back and did it again. Geeze, you'd think I was the 14-year-old on a first date.

At 6:30 there was a knock on my door. I opened it and there was a man in a black uniform. "Your car is here sir." I followed him out to the street and there was a big black shiny Limo. He held the door for me and I got in the back. He closed the door and went around to the front and got in. As we pulled out into traffic he glanced at me in the rearview mirror.

"The box on the seat is for the lady," he said. I looked at the small white box. It was a wrist corsage. A very small white orchid on a gold elastic band. Perfect.

In no time we were at my mother's house. I waited for the driver to let me out and while he waited patiently I walked up to the house and for the first time ever, I rang the doorbell. I heard some scurrying and then Mom opened the door.

I played it straight: "Good evening Mrs. Johnson. I have come to pick up Virginia. Is she ready?"

Mom went along with it and replied, "Please come in. I'm sure she will be down in a minute."

I walked in and stood at the foot of the stairs waiting. I heard a noise at the top of the stairs and looked up. Suddenly, my heart felt like it was going to burst. I couldn't catch my breath for a second. There at the top of the stairs was a vision of loveliness. Some fantastically beautiful woman I had never seen before stood and looked down at me. We both just stood for a moment as I began to realize that it was my little 14 year old sister and not some angel who stood looking down on me.

Ginny was about 5'2" tall and weighed about 95 pounds. She had blonde shoulder length hair that was normally pointing in all directions at once. Not tonight. Tonight her hair was swept up neatly and rolled at the back of her head.

She was elegant in a light blue dress. It had what I think are called spaghetti straps and it left her shoulders bare. It was a well-fitted sheath that fell to below her knees. She had not yet developed breasts but somehow tonight there was a small swell on her chest that suggested she had suddenly sprouted them. The dress was sleeveless and her arms were bare.

As she slowly came down the stairs I could see she was wearing the special gift I had sent. A single small pearl on a gold post in each ear and another single pearl on a very fine gold chain hung from her neck. She was perfect. I was speechless.

She stopped at the last step and reached for my hand. When I offered it, she took it and pulled me forward so that I was close to her. "Thank you so much for the gift. The set is exactly what I wanted." And with that she leaned forward and placed a kiss on my cheek.

"You are most welcome my dear and may I say you look fabulous this evening." She thanked me and then looked at the box I had forgotten I was holding.

I opened it, took out the flower, and slid it on her left wrist. She smiled and my heart leapt. All was going as planned and we were both acting as if we were not related but were boyfriend and girlfriend.

I took her arm and we started to leave. As we went out the door I said goodnight to my mother and she winked at me. "Don't keep her out too late. Have fun." She stood and watched as we walked to the car. The driver was ready and opened the door.

"Good evening Miss Johnson."

With that we were seated in the back and were off to our planned evening.

Over the years I had talked many hours with Tony. He knew more about my family than I did. Or at least it seemed that way. Based on his having listened to me all those times, he knew what to plan for the perfect date.

Our first stop was the Community Concert Hall. When we were let out it was to see the big sign announcing the Community Ballet Company's performance of Swan Lake. I looked at Ginny to see her reaction. I thought I saw a tear but she was smiling. She had always wanted to see this ballet. It was only a community production but they had a guest ballerina from San Francisco in the lead.

The hall was small and so tickets were not easy to get, but Tony had no trouble. I was a little disappointed at first to see that our seats were in the balcony. But in a small place like this one they turned out to be the best seats in the house. The front row of the balcony was not all that far from the stage and had the benefit of giving us a perfect, slightly raised view of the production.

Another advantage was that being a local company meant that they did things a bit differently. Swan Lake is in four acts, with an intermission between act two and three. Just a moment before each act a member of the company came out to the side of the stage and gave a brief explanation of the action to come. We were told what was being presented in dance and it made the whole thing much more enjoyable.

During the intermission we went out to the lobby and milled around with the rest of those attending, stretching our legs. Ginny and I were both surprised when a number of people stopped near us now and then and said good evening, and wished her a happy birthday. Ginny was very pleased. We returned to our seats and enjoyed the remainder of the performance.

When it was over we started to leave but were stopped by one of the usherettes.

"Would you follow me please, Miss Johnson?" We followed her back stage to a room with a star on the door. She tapped on it lightly and when she heard a soft reply, opened the door. There, seated at her dressing table was the Prima Ballerina. The star.

She got up and introduced herself, taking Ginny's hand in hers. "I understand it is your birthday, Virginia."

"Yes Ma'am," Ginny replied softly.

"I hope you enjoyed the performance."

"Oh yes, it was wonderful," Ginny managed to say.

The lady then reached over to a bouquet of long stemmed roses and withdrew one. She handed it to Ginny and said, "Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Happy Birthday my dear."

Ginny thanked her.

"Now you better get going or you'll be late for dinner."

The usherette guided us to the stage entrance and let us out. There we found our driver waiting with the Limo. We got in and were soon on our way to the next stop. And where else could we possibly go, but to Tony's?

When we arrived he was there to greet us personally. He opened the car door and helped Ginny out.

"Good evening Miss Virginia. It is an honor to have you with us this evening. May I wish you a happy birthday?"

As Ginny was thanking him, he led us into the dining room. He had chosen a booth over on the side where it was quiet and yes even romantic. The room was dimly lit with candles on each table. There was a small dance floor and at the front was a piano player rendering soft dinner music.

Tony looked at Ginny and said, "May I be allowed to choose the menu this evening?" She agreed that that would be fine and so did I. Of course I knew he had it all planned ahead-of-time, but it was a nice touch to give her the choice. With that he was off and running.

For the rest of the evening he kept watch on us. As soon as we finished one thing he was there with the next. Everything was timed perfectly. The salad was crisp with his special tangy dressing. The bread was warm and fragrant. For the entree we had the house specialty, Veal Parmesan. Then a small dish of strawberry Sorbet to top it off. It was wonderful. Ginny seemed to like it a lot. I know I did.

After the Sorbet we sat for a few minutes just enjoying the atmosphere. The piano soon caught my attention again as a nice slow dance number was played.

I am not now, nor have I ever been, a good dancer, but this was special. I stood up and taking Ginny's hand I asked, "May I have this dance?"

She smiled and rose to follow me to the dance floor. It was empty and so we had lots of room. I took her right hand in my left and placed my right hand on her waist. She placed her left hand on my shoulder and in that classic old fashioned position we started to dance.

It was a bit strange at first. We seemed a little stiff. But this was my sister in spite of all the play acting this evening and I felt odd dancing with her. But very soon she started to move in closer. Before I knew what was happening she had her head on my shoulder and was pressed against me in an intimate pose. We now looked the part of a romantic young couple in love.

I saw Tony watching and nodding his approval. I smiled back at him. After a couple of dances we headed back to the booth.

No sooner were we seated than out came a waiter with a tray held high. As he got closer, I saw what it was, but Ginny couldn't see from her angle. When he reached us, he placed a small cake on the table. It had one small candle on top that was burning brightly.

As if on cue, the piano began Happy Birthday and just as suddenly the place was filled with the voices of everyone singing it.

Ginny blew out the candle and thanked everyone with a smile and a nod. She then asked Tony if he would be kind enough to put the cake in something as she was simply too full of his wonderful veal to eat another bite. He agreed and took the cake away to be boxed.

When he returned he was accompanied by a waiter with a tray on which I could see three glasses of what looked like ginger ale. He placed one glass in front of each of us then took one himself.

"You must promise not to tell," he said. "This is just a small taste of my best Champagne. There is only a little bit in the young lady's glass for this special occasion."

We each took our glass and waited for Tony. "I have been honored by the presence of a most beautiful lady this evening," he began. "I would like to end this momentous evening with a toast. Miss Virginia, may this be only the first of a long string of special birthdays. May you always find happiness where ever you go and most of all may your life be filled with love." He then drained his glass and we followed his example.

Ginny had tears in her eyes as she thanked him for all he had done to make this a birthday she would never forget. I then followed with my thanks as well. He brushed it all off as, "Nothing to speak about."

It seemed that was the opportune moment to call it a night. We stood up and led by Tony headed for the exit. As we passed each table that was occupied you could hear soft voices commenting,

"Such a pretty girl."

"Happy Birthday, Dear."

It was a fitting end to our evening.

The Limo was waiting. We got in and settled down for the ride home. As we exited the parking lot the driver turned left.

Ginny turned to me and said, "He's going the wrong way."

"No he isn't sweetheart," I replied. "Mom knew it would be late when we ended the date and has given her permission for you to stay over in town at my apartment. The spare room is ready and waiting for you."

Ginny smiled at that news. She liked staying in town when she could. It meant she might get a little shopping in before going home the next day. That would be an added treat.

We were soon at my place and got out of the Limo. I tried to tip the driver; but he insisted that it was his pleasure and he was well taken care of by the owner of the Limo. I asked him who that was.

His short reply was, "The Don." He got in and was gone before I could say any more.

We walked slowly up to the door of my apartment. It was as if we didn't want the evening to end. As I reached with my key to open the door, Ginny held back.

"What is it love?"

She looked at me and blushed looking down at her shoes.

"Come on, what is it?"

She took a deep breath and looked into my eyes. "This has been a wonderful date Sky. So far anyway."

She had me puzzled. What could she mean?

"Tell me what I've forgotten," I said.

"Well, this is a real date right?"

I looked in her eyes and saw something but could not figure what it was.

"Yes."

"Isn't it normal for the couple to kiss at the end of the date?"