Beth

The party is in full swing. I feel a little overwhelmed by the crush of bodies and the conversations buzzing around me. I wonder if I'll ever feel comfortable at these events. There's a part of me that understands Isaac's desire to hide. Tonight I can't do that, though. I need to mingle and get to know the other contestants.

"Beth!" I hear a welcome voice say.

"Aunt Alice! You came!" I can't hid the relief in my voice. Having Auntie there will give me strength.

"I wouldn't have missed it. And where is our knight in shining armor? I still need to thank him for lining up the movers," Aunt Alice says.

I look over her shoulder to see David walking in our direction.

"Here's your chance," I say, pointing over her shoulder.

Aunt Alice turns and beams at David.

"I understand you were the one responsible for helping us with the move. I can't express how grateful we are. It couldn't have come at a more opportune moment."

David waves his hand.

"It was nothing. Besides, knowing Beth like I do, she'd still be packing boxes right now if I hadn't intervened."

"You may be right," I laugh.

"Well, it took a bit of convincing, but I'm glad Beth's finally onboard with The Next Big Thing," David smiles as he puts his arm around me.

"As am I," Aunt Alice says. "It will be a wonderful opportunity for Beth."

"Heidi just got back from vacation and will be joining us tonight. You two should catch up," he tells me.

"Definitely. It will be good to see Heidi again."

"Now, David," Aunt Alice says. "You really must tell me where you found those exquisite drapes. I have recently purchased a new home and still haven't found the right window coverings."

I smile politely, but I am distracted by thoughts of Isaac. Bumping into him in the bedroom had been a shock. He looked good, all cleaned up and even wearing a tie. I can't shake the memory of him standing close enough that if one of us had leaned forward, our lips would have brushed.

Memories of our stolen kisses years ago flood my mind. I ought to push the thoughts away, but some perverse part of me doesn't want to forget. I can't help but wonder what would have happened if my niece hadn't walked in on us. My face burns at the thought and I hope Aunt Alice is too distracted to notice.

I scan the room for Isaac. My jaw drops as I see him dancing with David's gorgeous secretary. Recovering quickly, I search my feelings, waiting for the jealousy to strike. There's a twinge, but more than jealousy, I feel a deep sorrow at what might have been. He's not mine, I remind myself. He can dance with whomever he wants.

I know I promised David I would help Isaac out with the whole adjustment thing, but he seems to be doing just fine without me. This woman, or any woman for that matter, could help him. A woman like that could make him laugh, and forget. I just remind him of painful memories.

I think of Isaac hiding in the room, so overwhelmed by his past he was avoiding everyone. I couldn't really blame him though. People had been harsh to him after what happened with Polly, and it couldn't be easy to forgive and move on.

"Aunt Beth?"

I blink and focus on my niece.

"What is it, honey?"

"I was trying to tell you earlier. I don't feel so good."

I notice the gray twinge to her face. Grabbing her by the hand, I lead her to David's bathroom. She barely makes in time before she throws up. I rub her back as she swishes her mouth out with water.

"What's wrong?" David asks when we rejoin them. I tell him and his brow burrows in concern.

"Olivia can stay in one of the upstairs bedrooms," he offers.

"That's very kind of you, David, but I think Olivia will be more comfortable in her own bed," Aunt Alice says. "Don't you agree Beth?"

I nod. If the others take Olivia, maybe I can catch a ride home later. David would drive me, I'm sure, but I'll probably want to leave the party early and I hate to take him away from his guests. Isaac might be willing to do it. My house is on the way to his. It shouldn't be too much trouble. My heart flutters at the thought.

"I'll go find your sister and father and tell them about Olivia," Aunt Alice murmurs. I nod.

"We haven't even been here more than twenty minutes," Mariah sniffs. "Either she'll be sick here or sick at home. We should take David up on his offer. If she sleeps upstairs, we can don't have to leave yet!"

"Mariah, don't you think the child would be more comfortable in her own bed?" Aunt Alice asks gently.

"I don't think it should matter. Why should she spoil all our fun simply because she's got an upset stomach? You know it is possible she might be faking it so she doesn't have to talk to anyone? You know she does things for attention sometimes."

"You can't fake a temperature of 102 degrees," I said. I highly doubt Olivia would vomit for kicks either.

"Father, you decide this," Mariah says. "Beth and Alice are being ridiculous. Olivia will be just fine upstairs. There's no need to let one person spoil our fun."

Aunt Alice gives Father a stern look, and fortunately, he doesn't cave.

"Now, Mariah," he says. "Maybe we ought to consider what your aunt and Beth recommend."

"Really? You're taking their sides now? This is ridiculous. I seriously doubt Olivia is even sick."

"Mariah," I warn.

"It makes no sense to leave early when she's just probably just faking it. This happens every time we try to go out. I'm sick of it. I'm not going to have my life controlled by Olivia's fits. I think—"

"Mariah!" I cut her off sharply.

"What?" she asks, then turns around to see Olivia standing right behind her with a crushed expression, having likely heard most of the conversation.

"I want Beth to take me home," she says.

"Beth needs to stay," Aunt Alice says. "But your Mom and Grandfather and I can take you home."

"No," Olivia says. "I want Beth."

Aunt Alice looks at me and shrugs. I feel a migraine coming on. I really ought to stay to prep for the competition, but I see the fear in Livie's eyes as they flit to her mother, then back to the ground. The last thing I want is Livie to feel guilty for being sick.

"I'll come," I say. "But only if Olivia rides with me and Aunt Alice."

"Of course," Auntie says.

Besides, who am I kidding? I could barely handle being in the same room with Isaac, much less a vehicle. Besides, he might want to stay late too, dancing with Claire or some other girl. I wouldn't want to infringe on that by asking him to drive me  home.

"It's decided then," Mariah says. "Now that I know Olivia's in capable hands, there's no reason for me and father not to stay. At least a few of us ought to enjoy ourselves."

"We'll all go," Aunt Alice says through gritted teeth. "I'm sure as Olivia's mother, you'll want to be sure she's okay."

"Well I really don't see the need, but if you insist—" Mariah says.

"I do insist," Aunt Alice says firmly.

As we quickly gather our coats, I remember my promise to Isaac.

"Just give me a moment to pass a message on to Sophie, then we can go," I say.

There is no time to say much, but I pull Sophie aside and ask her to pass the message on to Isaac. I also agree to stay at her house as long I was still in the competition, which wins me a huge smile and a tight hug. It is nice to know someone is actually excited to have me around, especially after overhearing my sister complaining about me to my father.

Aunt Alice and I help Olivia out to her car. The trip home is quiet, punctuated by Olivia's moans as she twists her head from side to side on my lap. Poor thing. I flip the washcloth on her forehead from the warm side to the cool. She seems to relax a bit. I hope it helps.

"It's okay, Livie. Just sleep," I murmur.

"She's not going to throw up in the car, is she?" Aunt Alice asks as she drives. I can't blame her for feeling anxious. Her Cadillac just rolled off the lot a week ago and hasn't even lost its new car smell yet.

"I don't think so," I say, but then what do I know? Olivia had barely made it to David's bathroom. I feel bad I hadn't seen the symptoms earlier, and that we had brought her to a party not feeling well. In our defense, the stomach flu had come on suddenly. The timing couldn't have been worse, though.

This party was important. I had hoped that mingling with the other contestants and getting to know them better would calm my jitters. The contest was beginning Monday morning. But it couldn't be helped since Olivia couldn't stay if she was sick. I would just have to get to know the contestants later. At least I knew one contestant—Sophie.

Olivia begins to snore lightly, and I allow myself to relax a bit. My mind wanders to the dance. 

I would have liked to dance with Isaac, I think, to feel his hands on my waist again, but I'm not so sure how great I would be at entertaining him. Between losing our house and moving and the looming competition, I'm lousy company lately.

Besides, he seemed to find a dance partner quick enough. I frown. Had I told Sophie why I couldn't stay? I couldn't remember. It had been so hectic with Olivia's illness and trying to gather everything together to leave. Hopefully Isaac would understand. Would we have even got our dance? Now I'll never know.

Maybe it doesn't matter. Maybe it is for the best Isaac and I didn't get that dance. I suspect if I let him touch me, the old feelings might flare up again, and I can't let that happen. I needed to stay focused on the competition. If I want to save my home and help my family, I needed to win. I especially don't need distractions from the past.

I press my hand over my heart, willing the ache to leave. It's time to release him, and let him pursue his happiness. 

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Please remember to hit that star and vote! I appreciate each of your votes.

Ugh - I hate feeling sick. I feel for Livie here, and Beth too. As for Mariah, my patience is wearing thin. What do you think?

I recently discovered this song that seems to fit Beth's situation so perfectly. It's by Joy Williams, formerly a part of The Civil Wars. 

Dedication today goes out to a dear Wattpadre BrittanieCharmintine. Britt is a fabulous friend that goes way back. She's written the incredibly fun "Mermaids and the Vampires Who Love Them" which has a cool 6.5 million reads (if you haven't checked it out yet, you really should)! I feel so fortunate to know her! You can check her and her book out by clicking on the link.