The theme song from one of my favorite shows blaring from my cell phone woke me from a very sensual dream. Reaching blindly for my phone, I glared at the screen. Text from my best friend, Mary. Wonder what she wanted this time.
"You up???"
"It's 8 a.m. On my day off. Why would I be up?" I quickly replied back.
"Oh. Ok... but is there any way you can pick up Joey from daycare and take him over to Garrett's mom's?"
I rolled my eyes. I quickly called her. It was too early to be texting. "What are you and Garrett doing that you can't take him?" I asked.
"I have to get ready for our party. Garrett has to work a little late. Don't tell Garrett you did this for me. The ass thinks I take advantage of you as it is."
You do, I thought to myself as I rubbed my forehead. The headache was already starting. "All right. What time do I need to pick Joey up?"
"You're the best! Anytime between three and six is fine. The party starts at seven, so you better be here early. You're bringing the hors d'oeuvres, right? Enough for twenty." Mary asked worriedly.
"Yes. I made garlic shrimp, stuffed mushrooms, and hummus with grilled pita bread." I covered my head with the comforter. I couldn't believe I had let her talk me into making the appetizers for her cocktail party, but I knew Mary didn't cook much. After sixteen years of being best friends, I was getting tired of being walked on. "Ok. So, I'll pick up Joey, take him over to Mrs. Kincaid's, come back here, get dressed, and be over at your house by six-thirty. Sounds like a plan."
"And not a word to Garrett about any of this."
"Yes, ma'am." I said as I rolled my eyes again. "Bye, now. I'm going back to sleep."
"Ok, thanks! You're the best!" Mary gushed and hung up the phone.
I put my phone back on the nightstand and glared at the ceiling. Just once I would like it to be about me not her. Shaking my head, I gave up on trying to go back to sleep, and got up.
Forget it. I could never be selfish, no matter how much I wanted to be. It just wasn't in me.
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By three-thirty, I had already picked up little Joey, taking him to the park to play for a bit before dropping him off at his grandmother's. I spent some time visiting with Garrett's mom, Brenda, then headed home to get ready for Mary's party.
At home, I looked through my closet, finally choosing The Red Dress in the back. I had bought it a few months before, but had never worn it out. It wasn't really something I would normally choose, and had been an impulsive purchase. The see-through top draped over a snug halter-style bodice, while the skirt of the dress flared out, ending right above my knees.
With my "fuck me" black four-inch heels with the red soles, I knew I would look good.
I really needed to get laid.
I placed the dress on my bed and, stripping, went in to take a shower. The hot steaming shower revived me and I quickly got ready for Mary and Garrett's party.
Looking in the full-length mirror in my bedroom, I realized Mary was going to be slightly pissed and wondered if I should change my dress. Forget it. I looked good, damn it. I was ready to enjoy a night with friends.
I made it over to Mary and Garrett's before six-thirty and cursed under my breath when I saw Garrett's truck in the driveway. Shoot. I shrugged. Oh well. What could I do? Parking, I quickly sent a text to Mary, asking what she wanted me to do about getting the hors d'oeuvres into the house without him seeing.
A minute later, Mary opened the front door and waved me inside. I hurried, carrying the trays of food. "He's getting ready. Take them into the kitchen."
I put them on the island in the spacious kitchen and removed the black jacket I had put on over my dress.
Mary had followed me and took my jacket from me, managing to look down her nose at my outfit. She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "New dress? It's very red. You don't think it's too bright with your auburn hair?"
I shrugged. I loved her to death, but it amazed me how she could make me feel so much less than her with just a look and a few words. "I like it."
"Anyway. I'll go finish getting ready. You can open up the wine and turn on some music if you'd like." She left the room without waiting for my reply.
"All righty then." I muttered. I opened the wine to let it breathe and went to the entertainment center to put on some music. Looking through their collection of CD's, I pulled out Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and started loading the CD player. Soon, jazz music filled the room.