The Key Party

Unsurprising News

It's mornings like these that put me off: Waking up to a phone that just won't stop ringing.

I open my eyes with an irritated roll and sit up, snatching my phone off my cluttered nightstand and managing to knock over my glass of water from last night.

"Oh, for God's sake..." I groan, staring at the now-soaked carpet at my feet. I answer the phone and put on a cheery voice as much as my patience could muster.

"Candy, I love you, but why would you call me at five in the morning?"

"Oh hush, Jen, it's for good reason!" Candy chirps excitedly through my phone. I had to pull it from my ear for a second because of how unexpectedly loud she spoke.

"What is this 'good reason'? It better be worth this," I tease, smirking dryly.

"Oh believe me! It's not only good—it's great!"

"Well, let's hear it, then!" I sigh, letting out a huff of air as I stand up and saunter over to my chest of drawers. I nestle the phone in the crook of my neck as I dig around for some cargo pants and a loose t-shirt.

"I am engaged!"

I freeze, my eyes rising to the picture of my brother and his wife that rests on my chest of drawers. Their marriage was spur of the moment that ended in a very ugly divorce.

"Oh really? To be honest, I am not surprised. So how did Bobby propose?" I ask her, continuing my search for clothes to cover my nearly-naked body.

"Bobby?! His name is Benny, Jenna. Come on, you can't be serious?" Candy mumbles in disdain. I sigh, and shake my head.

"I'm sorry, I honestly haven't been able to keep up with you and your life lately. I truly am sorry," I say calmly, although on the inside I am reeling with irritation.

"It's okay. I know that after you had to—"

"Move out, I know. Life has been crazy with trying to get on my own two feet lately. Anyways, I really am excited for you and Benny. When do you two plan on getting married?" I ask in a nicer tone, the morning grumpiness going away more quickly. I slip on a pair of comfortable jeans, listening to her rattle on about how Benny proposed to her and how she dreams her wedding will be.

"Before I get too ahead of myself, Jen, I want to ask you two questions," Candy states seriously. I arch a brow, then hum as a sign for her to go on.

"Will you be my maid of honor?" Candy asks me softly. I can't help but grin.

"Of course I will! I'm honored you asked me!" I answer truthfully, a soft smile tugging at my lips.

A squeal of delight voices itself from her end of the line. "Oh thank God! I honestly was worried you would say no. Okay, second question. Will you come with me to help set up for our engagement party that I scheduled to be this Friday? It's quite spur-spur-of-the-moment, I know, but it isn't going to be anyone's typical party with cake and people gushing over the newly engaged couple."

"Isn't that what all engagement parties are about though?" I can't help but be confused with her idea in mind, whatever it may be.

"Well, yes, but mine is going to involve everyone that is invited in a possibly fun way," she mysteriously says. Giving up on even bothering to try and get her to explain what she has in mind, I shrug.

"I don't mind helping out, sure," I say slowly, a bit hesitant all in all. I slip on a loose t-shirt and stride to my bathroom to brush my teeth and fix my hair.

"Okay. I have some items I need you to get from the store. The main thing is a giant serving bowl and a sign."

"What for?" I blurt out, curiosity beating me.

"I'll explain it when you get to where it's at. I rented out the diner-bar House of Reds that is down 45th Street, so drinks will be available for everyone," Candy explains animatedly.

"How many people did you invite?" I ask, my socializing nerves buzzing a little. Talking to new people is not my forte.

"I invited about forty so far, including you. The number is split evenly between men and women which is perfect for the game that I am throwing on for the party. They all have said they'd be able to make it so I'm super excited!"

"Damn, Candy, that's a lot of people..." I mutter to myself mostly. I hear Candy groan from the other side of the phone.

"Jen, don't you back out now! I wouldn't want any other girl at my party to fill your spot in it!" she demands. I roll my eyes, putting toothpaste onto my toothbrush.

"I am not going to back out, Candy. Especially now that I am your maid of honor," I reply, beginning to brush my teeth.

"Good. Anyways, meet me at the House of Reds around 3 P.M. I'll text you a list of items I need for Friday night. Also I figured we may want to go get our nails done maybe Tuesday, and our hair done the day of the party so we can look like some hot models, y'know girl?"

"Yeah, that sounds fun!" I reply after spitting out the wash, beginning to brush a second time.

"I certainly think so! Plus I am going to find you a really cute guy to hook up with at the—"

"Nope. I'm perfectly happy being single, thanks, Candy. Anyways," I say, pausing to spit out my last wash of toothpaste, "I am about to head to work for a few hours, then I'll go out and get whatever you ask me to for your party on the way to the House of Reds, okay?"

"Um... yeah. Yeah, okay! I'll see you then!" She hangs up, and I sigh in relief, swishing some mouth rinse around while brushing my hair.

After finishing all of my glorious morning routines, I leave my apartment before 7 A.M. surprisingly. I don't need to be at work until 8:30 A.M.

Maybe I should swing by a fast food restaurant for some breakfast. Yeah, that would be good. I definitely need some coffee after that phone call.