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he ride to the party seemed long and quiet, for a party 10 blocks away, mostly because of me.

After taking more than 30 minutes to prepare myself and put on my Minnie mouse costume, I rushed to the living room hoping I hadn't made Joe angry for taking long. He liked being on time. But then I saw him and Jenny, comfy on the sofa, cuddling while he whispered sweet nothings in her ear. The sight gave me a pain that went straight to my chest and everything felt wrong. I did not want to go to the party. I started retreating and the floorboard squealed, foiling my plan and making Jenny look up at me.

She came up to me, arms out with a smile planted on her face. 'You're ready?' She grabbed my shoulders.

'You look hot' Joe came up behind her with a sense of relief on his face.

Noticing my sudden resistance she quickly said 'Let's get goin', the party ain't waiting for no one.

The ride in the elevator cart was not smooth either.

Apparently, Joe and Jenny did not want to show each other affection in front of me, to save me from something I wasn't aware of and the only thing it resulted in was creating more tension. When we reached the roof, it was a relief.

I immediately saw my co-workers and a bunch of other people I did not know or possibly hid their identity with their costumes. Joe quickly excused himself to get drinks. Jenny grabbed my hand and we went to mingle and interact. I plastered a smile on my face hoping that it would fool everyone making them not notice the wreck that it is my life.

We met with Kate and Amber from procurement with their husbands. My supervisors, the tech guy who saw it fitting to dress himself as a Viking, when it did not suit his appearance, and a bunch of other guys. I just wanted Joe to come back and distract Jenny so I can disappear into the crowd and be by myself.

Just on queue, Joe came out, shouting hi to everyone in the group. He gave Jenny and me a glass of wine while he got himself a beer. I never knew why the hell coppers liked beer and nothing else. It took a while to get myself free of them because Jenny in her protective nature could not let go of my hand.

When one of the girls I did not know said she wanted to use the bathroom, asking for her date to show her, I saw my opportunity. I quickly said I as well wanted to go and will show her. With reluctance, Jenny let go. As we made our way to the bathroom, I could feel her eyes on me not wanting to lose me. Bless her for being there for me but right now, I just wanted to be alone. I'd watch from afar, hoping they will start having fun without me and when they did, I would disappear making myself scarce.

My plan worked but there was nowhere else to be other than the bar, which was just a table with drinks. I lost Jenny and Joe. So, I walked up to the bar. I know drinking is not the best thing to do right now but who gives a shit, not Dave who I spent more than 7 years with. Apparently it was long enough for him to leave something, a damn empty coin jar. Jerk.

I poured myself a scotch, didn't like it but I knew it would probably take the pit I was feeling in my stomach away and make me drunk in five minutes which was exactly what I was going for. Just before it got to my mouth someone bumped into me, making me spill it. I wasn't angry but the rage I suddenly wanted to unleash...

I quickly turned. 'Hey whant the h....'