Tucking a stray hair back behind her ear, Lisa checked her watch for the tenth time in five minutes. She tried hard to relax, but this was the first party she had been invited to since she was officially divorced, and she really wanted to make a good impression. She hated to be late for anything, and for some reason, it seemed more important than normal to be on time tonight.
Seven-fifteen, and the baby sitter was late. Taking a deep breath, Lisa tried to relax. She had no real reason to be on time; it was not like she had a date, or even any prospects, but as the sun set below the horizon, she found herself becoming more and more excited. Perhaps it was just that a good night out, with no kids and no husband, was just what the doctor ordered.
A loud knock on the door snapped Lisa back to attention. She had been so engrossed in her thoughts that she hadn’t heard the sitter pull into the drive. Releasing a breath she didn’t even know she’d been holding, she answered the door. Nick had watched the kids for her on a number of occasions, when she had business to deal with and needed to tend to matters that were hard enough without someone hanging off her skirt asking to be taken to the potty.
“Sorry I’m so late, Lisa. My damn car wouldn’t start.” She could see he was genuine in his apology, and having seen his car, it was easy to believe. Nick was twenty-two, ten years Lisa’s junior, and used babysitting as a means to supplement his meagre income while he put himself through college. He was not what most people would consider handsome, but there was something about his eyes that always caught Lisa’s attention. Added to that, he was great with her three young children, and an all round nice guy, Lisa found it almost impossible to be cross with him for being late.
“That’s ok, Nick. Better late than never, right?” She gave him a warm smile, and when he smiled back, she wondered why she had never noticed the dimples in his cheeks before. They made him look almost cute. She shook off the notion of any such ideas. He was much too young for her, and certainly would not be interested in a woman of her age and baggage. Picking up her handbag, and the bottle of wine for the birthday girl, Lisa headed for the door, pausing to give him instructions he already knew, and to take another opportunity to appraise him in a slightly different manner then she had previously.
Before she managed to say a word, he was rattling off all the things he knew she was about to say. “The phone number to reach you is by the phone, the kids are bathed and fed, and can watch television for another half an hour, Kim will need a diaper change, and Brad still has to clean his teeth. You’ll call in a few hours time just to check if they are ok, which you know they will be, and you’ll home before midnight.” He smirked at his own cleverness, and then added: “Now be a good girl and go and have some fun. I don’t want to see you back here before three a.m., and if you’re sober, be prepared for a good lecture. You look terrific, by the way.”
Lisa was a little stunned. It had been quite some time since she had been passed a compliment, and she wasn’t at all comfortable with it. “Thanks, but I really don’t think I will be that late. I’m a little too old to be out partying all night.” She hadn’t realized until then just how low her self-confidence had become.
“Too old, my ass. I bet you could out-party women half your age, and do it with style. You look hot, and don’t let anyone tell you any different. Any man with half a brain would be thrilled to show you a good time.”
Lisa had to really laugh at that. “That’s part of the problem Nick, most of the men that want to show me a good time only have a half a brain.” It’s amazing how a laugh can break an awkward moment, and this was one laugh Lisa was grateful for. “I’ll be back before dawn, and I wont call to check. You have my cell phone number if you need me. Goodnight, Nick.” She heard his “Goodnight, Lisa” through the door as she closed it behind herself. He really did have a pleasant voice. Why hadn’t she noticed it before? With a shrug, she headed for her car, and Fiona’s thirty-fifth birthday party.
Lisa was about to apologize for being late when she realized she was one of the first to arrive. After giving Fiona a quick hug and the bottle of wine, Lisa found herself a comfortable chair and a stiff drink. She wasn’t much of a drinker as a rule, but tonight she was in the mood for something a little wild. She felt the need for a little adventure; needed to break a few rules and take a few chances, rebel against all the ties and responsibilities of day-to-day life. As the night progressed, however, and the other guests arrived, she soon realized that if she were looking for a wild night, this party was not going to provide it.
By the time they all sat down to a rather decadent dinner, Lisa realized she was the only one there that was single, and the other women made it more then obvious that their husbands were right off limit. Lisa tried not to take offence at this, as taking another woman’s husband was the last thing she had on her mind. She had been the recipient of such happenings in the past, and would never wish such circumstances upon anyone else. Still, the whole situation did leave her feeling like a spare wheel.
As Fiona blew out the candles on the cake, Lisa made her own wish. Closing her eyes and opening her heart, Lisa wished for all the things that would make her life complete again. When she opened her eyes, she was relieved that Fiona had blown out all of the candles in one breath. Otherwise, the wish would never come true. By nine-thirty, Lisa was bidding Fiona and the other guests goodnight and heading to a video store close to home. Perhaps Nick would overlook her arriving home so early, and sober, if she presented him with a few good movies and some ice cream.
Nick was lying back on the sofa, textbook in hand, and the stereo playing softly in the background. Lisa had snuck in so quietly that when he looked up and saw her leaning over the sofa about to snatch away his book, he quite literally jumped. “Geeze, Lisa! Talk about giving a man a heart attack!” He quickly straightened himself up and restored his good humor. “The party that bad, huh?”
