The girls walked into the ornate lobby and checked into the hotel.  They were given their keys and they proceeded to their room.

It was as luxurious as they imagined it would be.

The girls did not take long to get all their bags unpacked.

“What should we do first?” asked Prudence.

“It’s YOUR birthday!  What do YOU want to do first,” asked Bea.

Well, I’d like to move.  I’m tired of sitting,” said Prudence.  “Let’s go down to Fisherman’s Wharf and do some exploring and shopping.”

“Sounds good!” said the girls together.

The girls found a cable car route that would take them directly to Fisherman’s Wharf. They walked quickly through the crowded avenues. And street performers kept them entertained as they waited for the cable car to pick them up.

https://youtu.be/ouMq6dG6A5Q

“You know Prudy, I’m not into eating FISH,” said Bea.

“Ooh!  Let’s eat at Bubba Gumps!  They have yummy food!  You took me there once, remember Prudy?!” said Purity.

“Yes, I remember.  We were at the Santa Monica Pier,” said Prudy.

 

We can eat there!  You’ll both find something you like,” said Prudence.

“Do they have chicken?” asked Bea.

“Yes, they do,” said Purity.  “And..we can get the waiters and waitresses to get Prudence a nice piece of cake for her birthday.  Maybe they’ll even sing to her?!”

“No groups of strangers singing!” said Prudence.

“Ok, said Purity.  But she looked at Bea and they both nodded in agreement.

The girls shopped along the pier until dinnertime.  They found some very cool “I Heart San Francisco” T-shirts and all kinds of fun odds and ends.

“I’ll keep them in the closet with ALL your other stuff,” Prudy said when the girls got concerned about buying something.

All at once, Purity’s eyes filled with tears.  She marched over to the railing and looked out over the ocean. Prudence slowly followed her.

“What’s wrong, Pure?” asked Prudence.

“I don’t really like shopping anymore.  It isn’t fun.  I have to worry about EVERYTHING I pick out,” snapped Purity.

“No you don’t.  I’ll keep it with me and you can have it when you come visit me,” said Prudence.

“I stayed with Bea,” Purity began to sniff.

“I know,” said Prudence.

“Were you disappointed that I didn’t come stay with you?”

“Sort of,” answered Prudence.  “But I know you are eighteen years old, Purity.  You’ve got to make your own choices.”

“I just couldn’t leave her,” said Purity.

“You did the RIGHT thing.  I’m so proud of you!” said Prudence.

“Sometimes, I wanna bust outta there SO bad,” exclaimed Purity.  “Someday, I may not be able to stay.  Then Bea will hate me!”

“No, she won’t.  She’ll understand,” said Prudence.  “Let me ask you this…Did you do what will make you happiest in the long run?”

“Yes,” sniffled Purity.  “But I’m not very happy now!  I thought I’d feel different once I turned eighteen.  Things are just harder!”

“Welcome to the adult world!” said Prudence.  It’s a child’s fantasy that everything is easier once you become an adult.  The fact is, things are much harder.  You have MAJOR responsibilities.  Every year I grow older, I realize I have more to do.  Grandma’s getting more unstable.  And I have to help her do more.

“Is Grandma ok?” asked Purity.

“Yes, she’s just getting older,” replied Prudence.  Prudence leaned in and hugged her younger sister.  She kissed her on the forehead. “We all have our burdens to bare.  You can do that one of two ways…with bitterness OR with love in your heart.  And only you can choose which way you’ll carry those burdens.

“Hey look!  I found a cute Happy Birthday video on YouTube!” remarked Bea. She was obviously trying to find something to help Purity smile.  Bea hugged Purity.  Prudence noted how loving and thankful that hug was.

“Great!  We can listen to it after dinner while we all help me eat my birthday piece of cake,” said Prudence.

And that’s just what they did.  Prudence made sure Purity and Bea kept smiling the rest of the night. Watching the cute bunnies singing Happy Birthday made smiling MUCH easier for all three of them…