Learning How to Bend

Day 18 - Write, write, write, write...

Kat had picked it out. I loved it because I could imagine what it looked like. Not only with clicking, but I could actually feel the long, rose gold dress beneath my fingertips. It was completely covered in sequins from top to bottom. If I ran my hand over them, the sequins flipped. One side of the sequins was shiny and metallic, while the other was the same color but more of a frosted look. Less dramatic, more muted. The dress's sleeves dropped off my shoulders in a relaxed manner, and the sweetheart neckline was noticeable but not dramatic. I fastened a conservative diamond drop necklace around my neck and simple crystal studs in my ears.

"You looking like that isn't fair." I did not know she was there, so I jumped a couple inches from the floor. She walked—well, shuffled, it sounded like—into my room and zipped the back zipper for me. "There. Perfect. Thaddeus would be insane not to claim you as his before someone else does."

"This is a business function, Kat, not a social one." I rolled my eyes. "We're thanking our partners, having a meal..."

"Sounds like a social function to me. Many in the company are invited, after all." Kat's hands rested on my shoulders. "Joe will be here soon."

"Lovely." I tried to smile, but it might have appeared as more of a grimace.

I did not like functions such as this. At least I would have Joe, Kat, and Chelise to keep me company, even if I spent little time with Thaddeus. There was also a bar from which I could partake if I needed something to help calm m nerves. I did not want to depend on alcohol for that...and Kat probably would not let me anywhere near the bar anyway because she would complain it was unfair that I could drink and she could not. I wanted to help her through the pregnancy, not make it more unbearable. This had not been easy for her.

We waited in my living room until Joe arrived with his vehicle, into which we all entered and drove to the event space. Upon arrival, someone opened a back door for me to exit. Chelise jumped down first. After I clicked my tongue once, I took hold of the hand in front of me and slid somewhat gracefully out of the vehicle. Joe helped Katherine out, then a valet took control of the crossover to park it in the covered garage.

I was the expert third wheel to Joe and Kat's duo, but I cared little. Joe did his best to always include me. We wandered the room as a trio until Joe began speaking with one of his coworkers. It was at that point that I decided to try to find something to drink. I was thirsty, and maybe fate would throw me into Thaddeus. I could not believe I actually wanted to run into him. In the spring, I would have wanted to run and hide. Now, though, things were different. I was different, probably for the best.

Hand holding tight to Chelise's harness, I moved around the outside of the many tables; I did not want to risk running into anyone but Thaddeus. I had made my way to the bar, by some miracle. I needed to take advantage of this before Kat made me feel guilty about drinking a glass of white wine. After ordering it, I lifted myself up onto the backless stool and crossed my ankles, listening to all of the voices around me.

It was a smaller gathering, maybe fifty people. A string quartet played in the corner of the room, their carefully played melodies sounding smooth and relaxing over the speaker system. I closed my eyes and hummed along to the music when I recognized it. I occasionally sipped at my wine—I had requested a sparkling version, and it was delicious—but in general, I just enjoyed being alone. I knew I would have to interact sooner rather than later. I just wanted to put it off. Occasionally the bartender and I would share a few words, but in general, the man left me alone. I think he recognized that was all I wanted. I was not a social butterfly. My idea of a fun event was sitting on my couch with a book or attending a concert. At concerts, you could not talk to each other otherwise you would miss the music. In that circumstance, you were not paying to talk to each other. You were paying to listen. People had forgotten how to do that nowadays.