COSMIC

16 - Neighborhood Threat

Friday evening arrived quickly. It didn't make sense considering my day was entirely ordinary. But though time sped by around me, my head was in the clouds—or beyond, in my case—where time didn't seem to matter or just passed by differently. I still felt as if I was on the mountaintop with David.

However, I was shaken against my will back into reality with a busy day—a quick breakfast, gardening before the heat dominated the daytime, running after unruly toddlers, and saying goodbye to Mom for the night—only after she finished incessantly telling me to behave at the party like I was five.

The party. Josh's mom, Susan, knew how to have the best parties in town. It had become her tradition every summer to gather the neighborhood—or at least those in her circle of friends—to her house for food, games, and gossip. Music was always present playing old rock and roll or Frank Sinatra, depending on which age group got their way.

I sighed and glanced at the clock, trying to read the hands in the darkening living room. Dressed in a mini skirt and cuffed blouse of pinks and browns, I sat on the couch and waited for Nancy to pick me up. I tugged at the wide belt clinging tightly around my waist, feeling the afternoon's remaining heat seep through the house walls. It didn't help having a big hairy dog lying against my feet either. But it was quiet—aside from Sheba's panting, the silence around me was making its first appearance for the day. I wanted to cherish it before I had to join the human race again that night.

I closed my eyes and returned my thoughts to my night with David, thinking how we wouldn't be able to see him that night and wondering what he was doing instead. Just then, the engine of a truck rumbled up in front of the house. I jumped up to give Nancy a sign that I knew she had arrived, but was too late when she honked the horn. I sighed and shook my head, walking away from the window and into the kitchen, where I retrieved the deviled eggs from the refrigerator that Mom insisted on making, saying "if she can't be there in person, at least her popular deviled eggs will be."

After saying goodbye to Sheba, I ran out the front door and jumped into the truck whose passenger door was already open. "Thanks," I said over the radio as I set the deviled eggs carefully between us.

"No problem," Nancy replied. "You ready?" I nodded and with that, we took off down the street. She added, "My dad said he'll be a little late getting off work so he's meeting us there. Sorry your mom couldn't make it. I know she always likes these parties."

"Yeah, she was a little disappointed. But she's hoping for a weekend party next time."

"Oh hey," Nancy almost interrupted. "Do you think we'll have time to see David tonight?"

"I don't know. I wasn't planning on it with how long the party might last. We wouldn't have much time."

"You're probably right."

With that, any discussion about David on the way to the party was absent—except for in my mind, where I contemplated telling Nancy about my previous night with him. She had already found out about the first time he came to see me, our kiss, and the budding relationship between us. And so did Josh, I unintentionally reminded myself. Plus, I didn't like to keep secrets from her and as my best friend beside me as we had discovered David, she had a right to know. But somehow, I found it difficult to bring up, reluctant to reveal secrets I wasn't even sure about myself. With a sigh, I concluded to keep it private for the time being, especially as we arrived at the party.

Nancy and I walked along the sidewalk, deviled eggs in hand, as we prepared ourselves for the claustrophobic environment we were about to enter. The party was well underway when we walked through the door, the living room packed with families of all ages and pouring into the other quaintly decorated rooms. Glancing through the back window, I saw an overflow of people that had drifted into the backyard, where all the fathers stood around the barbeque, preferring the smoky smell over the crowds. Chatter and laughter met my ears abruptly, as I observed a few guests playing games in the next room. That's where I made eye contact with Susan, who smiled broadly and greeted Nancy and I with a giddy hello before directing me to the long buffet of food.