Chapter 10 - The Birthday Party
 

Libby and her mother pulled into a parking space at the clubhouse.  Her brother and sisters were already there with her dad setting up for the party.  Libby noticed Tony from the stable walking out of the clubhouse.  "That's strange," she thought.  "Tony doesn't live anywhere near here.  I wonder what he's doing at our neighborhood clubhouse?"

Soon Libby, Christy, Amy and Monica arrived for the party.  There were also a few of her friends from her Girl Scout troop expected to come.  When everyone had arrived, they began the party games in the pool.  They played Marco-Polo and a game retrieving colored rings from the bottom of the pool.  Then they had a belly flop contest off the diving board which Libby's father judged.  Monica won that game, but she had always been good at falling on her face!

Libby was starting to have a good time and had almost stopped thinking about her precious Ginger Snap until the piñata was put out.  It was in the shape of a horse because, after all, Libby did love horses.  The girls took turns whacking it with the bat while everyone sang a song.  Christy was finally able to break it, and its contents rained down on the ground.  Everyone scrambled to pick up the candy and treats.

"This is a great party," said Monica chewing a big piece of gum from the piñata. "I know I have been a little mean to you lately Libby, and I just wanted to say I'm sorry and thank you for letting me come to your party."
Libby smiled weakly, and replied, "No problem.  I'm glad you came too.
"You know, I laughed at you pretty hard when the saddle slipped off while you were mounting Ginger Snap the other day.  The truth is that the same thing happened to me the first time I mounted her too."

"It wasn't funny to me at the time," said Monica, "but it sure seems funny looking back."  Both girls laughed.  It felt good to be friends with Monica at last.

The girls ate grilled hot dogs and hamburgers on the pool patio.  Then it was time for the cake, ice cream and the presents.

"Happy Birthday To you! Happy birthday to you!" they sang while her mom carried out the cake with ten candles burning bright and placed it in front of her. 

Libby was about to make her wish and blow out the candles when she realized that she had nothing to wish for.  Ginger had already been sold and it was too late to wish for Ginger.  But she wished it anyway, even though she knew it could never come true.  She didn't care.  She closed her eyes and blew out the candles and began opening her gifts.

Her friends had given her some fun board games and some books about horses.  The gift from her parents had some nice new clothes for school in it. 

Lauren handed a fairly large box.  "Here' you go, Libby -- a pony of your own!" she giggled.

Libby didn't think that was very funny.  She opened the box and in it was a nice palomino Breyer Horse to add to her toy horse collection. 
"Thanks Lauren.  It's really nice." 

There was one more short flat box on the table.  It didn't look anything at all like the present she had daydreamed about. It wasn't nearly big enough to fit an entire pony into it.

She sighed as she began tearing the wrapping paper.  Inside the box was a small key on a string.  "What's this for?" she asked.

"It's for your tack trunk, of course -- to keep all your riding equipment."
"What riding equipment?  All I have is my black riding helmet."  Libby looked into the box again.  There was an envelope at the bottom.  She was very confused as she opened it.  Inside the envelope were a picture from the bulletin board and a bill of sale showing that the Welsh pony Ginger Snap had been sold on Friday the day before.  Was this some kind of cruel joke?  Libby already knew that Ginger had been sold.  Why did she need to see the bill of sale? 

"Oh, Libby, don't you get it?" her friends asked her.

"No, I don't."  Then she heard a familiar sound outside.  It sounded like a pony whinnying.  Still confused, Libby jumped up from the table and looked outside. 

It was Tony from the stable.  He was leading a pony right into the clubhouse toward Libby.  It was Ginger!  Libby looked over at her father and mother.

"She's all yours Libby!" said her father.  "I told you we'd discuss having a pony when you were older, and now you are!"

Libby's face beamed like the sun.  Her friends squealed with joy.  She ran up to Ginger and put her arms around her neck.  Her impossible birthday wish had come true after all.  Then she kissed Ginger on that sweet freckled nose that she loved so much.  Ginger looked for her treat.  Libby handed her a sugar cube from the table.  Libby was still in shock as Ginger nibbled the sugar from her hand.

"Thank you! Thank you!" she cried.  "But how did you..."

"I've been planning this for weeks," said her mother.  "I'm the one who asked Miss Lee to let you try Ginger Snap in the lesson in first place.  The sale wasn't final until yesterday, and I didn't want to get your hopes up in case the sale didn't go through.  Besides, I wanted it to be a complete surprise."

"We knew about it too, Libby!" said Lauren.  "It was so hard not to tell you about it, especially when you were so broken hearted at the lesson this morning.  Ginger has been waiting here at the clubhouse for you the whole day!  Congratulations!"

"If you can keep your grades up and keep up with your chores, then we want you to join the Pony Club too.  In fact, Pony Club's summer camp starts next week, and you'll be able to attend," said her mother.

"I'm the happiest girl in the world," thought Libby.  Her smile was growing bigger and bigger.  She hugged her mom and dad tight.  "Thank you," she whispered in her dad's ear.

"You've earned it Libby," He said.  "You're the most responsible ten year old that I know," he chuckled.  "We love you very much."  And he kissed her right on her own freckled nose.

"So what do we do now?" asked Monica.

"I know," said Libby.  "Pony rides for everyone!"  Ginger snorted and looked as if she were hoping to get treats from everyone too.
 

THE END