From Different Walks of Life

Outed

I was trying really hard not to be cranky, but it was difficult.  It was the end of April, and spring in Wyoming can be quite difficult – it's actually during this month we get some of our greatest snow storms of the whole year, and this was no exception. 

I glanced out the window of Ashley's Range Rover as she carefully drove through the streets of Lander, and watched the snow blow around, drifts beginning to form along the curb.  We were on our way to a bridal shower for one of the ladies who frequented Ahsley's shop, and who occasionally had drinks with us when we went out.  A few of my coworkers had been invited as well – from what Ahsley and I had heard, it was going to be quite the shindig.

"Make sure we don't miss a turn," Ashley was saying quietly, trying to read the street signs, and I nodded silently. 

"There!" I pointed at the sign we were looking for, and she quickly turned.  I grabbed for the oh-shit handle as we slid a little, seemingly right against the curb behind two other vehicles in front of the house we were looking for. 

"What a bullshit day to have this," Ashley muttered, and I nodded, wrapping my coat tighter around myself as I slammed my car door behind myself, carrying our gift with me.  We trudged through the snow up to the front door, Ashley reaching to knock, only to have it yanked open before she could.

"Ladies!  You made it!" I chuckled to myself as we walked into the foyer of the ranch-style house, as our hostess was holding a pink drink with a little umbrella.  Certainly doesn't match the weather outside, I thought. 

"Come in, come in!" Candy, the girl who had invited us, gushed.  She wore a sash bearing the words 'maid of honor,' and was surrounded by three other women.  "Welcome to the British Invasion!" That grabbed my attention.  A pink plastic drink cup was shoved into my hand as I gaped at the decorations around me in the dining room, which was set up for cake, gifts and other refreshments.  A large cutout of my boyfriend faced me in one corner of the room, with a life-size Benedict Cumberbatch at the other corner.  British flags hung along the table, with sparkling pink tablecloths, silverware, plates and napkins to match.  I suddenly felt a little ill as we were led into the living room, where more women were chatting amongst themselves, and I found myself surrounded with hundereds of photos of British actors – including Tom.  A movie was playing on the television, I recognized it as Dr. Strange, and I swallowed hard, trying to get my wits about me again. 

"Isn't this amazing?" Candy exclaimed, looping her arm with mine.  I glanced at her, not sure what to say, and Ashley elbowed me in the side. 

"Oh, yeah, it's great." I managed.  Candy frowned a little. 

"Are you not a fan of the Brits?" She asked me, and several women turned away from the movie to look at me.  I opened my mouth to answer, then closed it.

"Oh, she's just so overwhelmed by all the beef-cakeness here, she doesn't know what to say, right Kat?" Ashley said, looking at me pointedly, and I nodded, forcing a smile.  "Here, Kat, drink a little, let's go look around." Ashley looked me in the eye, and moved me away from the group. 

I shook my head, trying to clear it.  It had been a long two months for me, being away from Tom.  His film had wrapped, and he had been back and forth between London and L.A. several times.  We talked on the phone every day, without fail, often twice a day, but it wasn't the same as having him physically there, and I hated to admit that my heart hurt being so far away from him. 

My birthday had come on February 13, a mere four days after Tom's with Valentine's close after, and I was surprised at work with a huge bouquet of two-dozen roses.  It had been a lovely mix of yellow and red, with a card hand-written by Tom himself.  I could still see his lovely handwriting, 'To My Best Friend and Lover, I Wish You the Best of Days.'  I kept the card next to my bed, and the flowers were hanging up in my kitchen to dry.