The Twelve Dates Of Christmas

The Dinner Party

"Get up and get dressed!" Kaye ordered.

Rosemary looked at her friend as she hung her coat on the coatrack; her makeup was perfect, and not a hair on her dirty blonde head was out of place. Kaye's perfect outfit enhanced her flawless body. She was beautiful and she was dressed to go out.

"Ugh! Not tonight, Kaye," Rosemary declined. She adjusted her baggy sweatpants to avoid making eye contact. She wasn't in the mood to entertain others, so whatever her friend planned for them would have to wait.

Being the socialite that she was, Kaye constantly discovered new adventures for them to try, promising they'd meet prospects worthy of dating. They rarely met anyone they wanted to take home, much less to meet their families.

Every year, as soon as Rosemary sat at the dinner table, her family discussed her inability to find Mr. Right. The holidays were their favorite time to point it out to her - next to her birthday. So, hoping to end the seasons of torment, she swallowed her pride and attended the functions Kaye suggested. They always walked left the functions alone. This year would be different, she wasn't going to allow herself to be disappointed.

Without giving her friend a second look, Rosemary sat in her favorite chair: a recliner she'd found at the thrift store, Recycled Treasures, and placed her mug of hot chocolate and the bowl of freshly popped popcorn on the table beside her chair. Settling into the seat, she wrapped up in her favorite red blanket, reached for the television remote, and flipped through the channels for anything that was not holiday-related.

"Come on. It will be fun!" Kaye took the remote out of her hand.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Rosemary whined, sinking into her chair while pulling the blanket over her head. "You go and have a great time... without me."

"It's a dinner party. I need a guest. I won't take no for an answer," Kaye said with her hands on her hips.

"There are plenty of guys who'd go to the party with you, why pick on me?"

Kaye stood unwavering.

"I told you I wasn't going to partake in any Christmas activities this year."

Her friend arched an eyebrow.

"I am not interacting with nosey aunts, drunk uncles, loud relatives, or anyone who only wants to reconnect to receive a present."

Without a word, the blanket was yanked off of her. Rosemary stared at the friend in defiance.

"Out of the sweatpants!" Kaye ordered, refusing to acknowledge her seasonal rant.

"I'm tired of the same questions over and over. Do you have a man yet? Why not? What's wrong with you? Where are you working? Why are you still there? Don't you want a grown-up job?" Rosemary put her hands together in prayer fashion, begging Kaye not to make her go.

"Nice try." Kaye grabbed her hands and pulled her out of her chair. "It's not a regular dinner party! We are planning our Christmas party. Now pick out something holiday-ish to wear."

"Please, Kaye! I'm tired of companies pushing their products, causing consumers to fight and argue over who is going to purchase the stores commodities. People have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas! I am quite happy here at home sitting in my fav..."

"To the bedroom and change. Now!" Kaye pointed towards the hallway leading to her friend's bedroom.

Rosemary sighed, dropping her shoulders in defeat.

"And don't make me have to come in there and dress you. March, young lady!"

"Ugh!" She said, dragging her feet as she walked.