“It’s not just a birthday party, though,” Ivan explained. “It’s a networking extravaganza. And we’ll be spotlighting all of our sponsors, advertisers, business friends, and associates.”

“Oh, please, save me the hype machine, Ivan. This is me, Catherine. I’ve even talked to some of our old classmates from San Diego State about it, and they couldn’t believe all of this, either. It’s all just overnight. Then you got the whole bald-headed, earring thing. I mean, come on.”

Ivan no longer liked the tone of her conversation.

He said, “First of all, I’m not bald headed. It’s a low haircut. And it may seem all overnight to some, but I’ve been working my ass off to get here.”

“So have other people, Ivan. And they’ve all worked a lot longer than you. But they can’t charge people fifty dollars for a damn hyped-up birthday party.”

“Well, that’s them,” Ivan snapped at her. “Some people can’t get sixty thousand fans to pay to watch them play football every Sunday. But the Chargers can.”

“You’re not the Chargers,” Catherine told him.

Ivan said, “Yeah, well, it sounds like you just need to get used to the name ‘Ivan David’ meaning more than just your old college boyfriend. That’s all that is. And I have nothing else to say about it, because I can’t afford this negative energy.”

He continued, “My gas tank for bullshit is on empty. And we got nowhere else to go with that.”

Catherine was stunned. She said, “I don’t even know why I keep trying to talk to you.”

Ivan told her, “If you come the right way, it’s cool. But if you’re gonna keep coming at me with this college shit, then I can’t help you. We’re not in college anymore.”

She said, “Okay. Well, go on back to your business, and I won’t bother you anymore.”

When Ivan hung up with her, he was pissed.

“She said that same shit the last time,” he told himself. “She needs to get a grip on her damn emotions. How is she gonna get mad at me for blowing up now?”

He stood up from his desk and stated, “That shit is petty. Jealousy comes in all packages.”

ON HIS ACTUAL BIRTHDAY, Friday, March 5, 2004, Ivan had another minor dilemma. Both Christina and Ashley wanted to spend it out on the town with him. Lucina even called herself to ask him how he planned to enjoy his birthday.

Ivan told her, “I don’t know what I want to do right now, Lucina. I feel like just staying in and having a good old-fashioned dinner at home. But what woman is gonna cook for me on a Friday night?” he hinted.

Lucina responded, “Hmm…what woman do you want to cook for you?”