To Infinity and Beyond

Avoiding the Inevitable

Alice's POV

I entered Britney's building and nervously rang the doorbell of her apartment, still not quite sure if I was comfortable with tonight. Irrespective, I braced myself for the dinner party with all her friends.

"Hey, Alice. Welcome." Britney's husband Max opened the door. He is also my childhood buddy as we all grew up together in the same neighbourhood back in Vancouver.

"Hey, Maxy. How are you, buddy?" I handed him the bottle of wine that I had brought for the occasion.

"Wow, this is one of Britney's favourite. Thank you, come on in."

"I know idiot that's why I got it. Where is she by the way?"

"You just missed her by a minute. She has gone to the nearby department store for some last-minute errand."

"Woah, Montreal Canadiens are literally beating up Hamilton Tigers," I exclaimed as my eyes fell on the ongoing ice-hockey game that was broadcasting live on television.

"I know, right. Montreal Canadiens are like fire on ice." Max chuckled while rubbing his hands in excitement. Back home, this had been our favourite sport, and we spent our entire childhood placing winning bets on our preferred teams.

"No way I am sitting to watch this, Britney will kill me if I don't offer her my promised services today. Don't lure me, Maxy, I don't want to face your wife's wrath."

"Don't worry. I get it every single day. But nothing can stop me from watching these babies in action today."

Rolling my eyes at his child-like enthusiasum, I headed to the kitchen to see if I could help with something. I saw some neatly placed vegetables on the slab, and instinct told me that they were laying there to be cut and dressed immaculately on the salad salver. So, I drew one of the sharp knives from the block holder placed in the far corner and began displaying my culinary skills.

"What the hell are you doing in my kitchen?" A screechy voice vibrated in the closed space, almost scaring me to death. My body jerked and I dropped the knife on the floor.

"You freak, could you scream any louder?" I calmed myself before giving Britney a nasty stare.

"I am not the freak here, darling; you are. Please step aside from my kitchen, why did Max even let you come here? Max? Max.....!" While she called for him, I nervously stepped aside.

I sighed, knowing what she meant and also the mockery these two would be soon beginning.

"What happened Britney? Tell me fast. I don't want to miss the goal." Max scorned impatiently.

"Why did you let Alice in the kitchen? And can you turn off that TV? Watch the repeat telecast tomorrow. Everyone will be here soon."

"Woah. Woah. I didn't know she was here. Alice, please darling, for the heaven's above, do us all a favour. Please leave the kitchen alone, and not only this one, consider sparing all the kitchens in the world until the far future."

Max and Britney stared at me with their smug faces, depicting how entertained they were.

"Guys, you really need to stop. That happened years ago."

"We agree it was years ago but fucking twice Alice. You burnt down your house kitchen twice! I still remember how you were kicked out the second time. Aunt Jenna was fumingly mad at you." Britney and Max both burst into laughter as they began roasting me, reminiscing those fire incidents that became part of my identity for the longest time. My friends never ceased making fun of me.