As I look at my stunning reflection, I adjust the pearl necklace that ever so slightly kissed my neck. Tonight is the night. I am hosting a Christmas dinner party with some of my closest "friends", and they should all be here soon. When I am done with my necklace, there is a knock on the door. I smooth my dress and open the door. Two of my friends stood before me. "Hello! Come in. Come in." I take their coats and put them in the closet. "I love your house, Liza. It's so... compact." I smile and thank Michelle. "Yes. It is absolutely adorable. Why didn't you ever invite us to come before?" Kevin said, looking around. "I did. You just never bothered to show up," I mumbled under my breath. "What did you say?" Michelle asks as she sits down on a chair. "Nothing. I was just wondering when the others would show up." When I said that, there was another knock on the door. I got up and opened it to reveal my other friends, Valerie and Louie. "Sorry we're late," Valerie says, "There was a lot of traffic." I nod and say it's no big deal, however it was a big deal because she was lying, but I say nothing and smile.
We continue to talk. Well, it was more of them talking and me nodding and smiling. The bell on my oven beeps and I know the food is done. I get up and go to the kitchen. I finish preparing the food and begin to work on a "special" drink for my guests. I finish setting up the table and set the food down precisely where it belongs on the table. When it looks perfect, I call for my guests to join me.
"It smells wonderful, Liza." Valerie compliments. I thank her and tell them to dig in. While we are eating, Louie says, "You know this reminds of something I had at a nice restaurant, but they knew how to cook it." After a few minutes, he then looks me in the eyes and says that the food is amazing. I roll my eyes and say thank you. I begin to tell them how I made it, but before I can Kevin interrupts me. Soon they are discussing everything that they could think of without asking for my opinion. Once in a while, they tell what a wonderful job I did at preparing the meal and I would nod. Minutes pass and I begin to zone out of the dull conversation when suddenly Valerie compliments me on the drink. I chirp up and say thank you. Everyone else begins to try the drink until no more is left. My smile grows bigger every time they compliment me on the drink.
It was now midnight and everyone had to leave. I tell them goodnight, goodbye, have a safe drive home, blah blah blah. I clean up and put everything up. When I'm done , I turn on the news and begin to smile as the too perky news anchor tells the story of a tragic accident.
"And this just in, there was a horrific accident on Merry May Drive that killed four individuals. The victims are Michelle Wilson, Kevin Maxwell, Valerie Santiago, and Louie Stephens. Police say the reason behind the accident was alcohol poisoning, however they are not sure. We will have more on this story later."
I turn off the TV and smile, "Aw, silly me. I must've used arsenic instead apple when I fixed the drinks. Oops." I continue to smile as I go to bed.
