There's a brisk rain falling, I can hear it hitting the window pane, tappity tap. The accompanying wind is stripping the leaves from the trees creating a colorful carpet on the ground. A lazy stretch as I realize my bladder is done lying in bed, warm feet hit the cold floor and with a full body shiver I hurry to the bathroom. Just before the flush of the toilet would have drowned out any other sound, I hear the click of the mailbox. My heart races in anticipation and grabbing a robe, I wrap it hastily around me as I run to the front door. A quick peek tells me my postman did not wait today. This brings a pout, my hammering heart slows and I open the door to retrieve the letter.
Leaning back against the door, I rip it open, scanning quickly and then rereading to actually understand the words.
Good Morning Purty!
Happy Monday Again! As you know, fall is in the air, the leaves are changing, nights are cooler. Which of course brings us to one of our favorite celebrations...Halloween. On Halloween the possibilities are endless, you can be whoever you want to be....
or
... whoever we want you to be. We have arranged a small but cozy party where you will be the guest of honor. Don't worry about a costume, it's all been arranged. Your UPS man will pick you up at 6 sharp on Friday night. Don't keep him waiting.
Yours Truly,
The Monday Morning Club
Grinning, a party, a costume party. Make that a surprise costume party. I can only hope the week slips by quickly.
Tuesday slides into Wednesday, Thursday carries it's own nightmares. Broken cell phone, flat tire, power outage that knocked out my alarm clock making me late for work. By the time the day is over all thoughts of Friday and parties and Halloween have left my mind. I slip into bed, exhausted and spend 10 hours in dreamless bliss.
Friday is a much better day, the traffic is light, work is pleasant, the weather is unseasonably warm and the sun is shining. Accepting an invite to the local bar with some co-workers, I have finally let the pressures of the week flow out of me, leaving me relaxed and playful. I flirt with the bartender, share a naughty joke or two with my boss ... and then I glance at the clock...my brows furrow. What am I forgetting?
A man appears at my elbow, in full Halloween costume, offers me a drink and an enthusiastic, "Happy Halloween!"
My gasp of horror startles him into an apology, and he says, "Sorry to scare you, but it is Halloween night!"
I reach for my phone, the broken phone that I have forgotten to replace, stare wild eyed around the room and tossing some money onto the bar, I quickly tell one of my co-workers that I have someplace to be. I run from the bar, hair tangled and flying like a witch's might as she streaks across the sky on her broom.
Gasping, panting for air, and needing to pee...no time for that right now, I stumble, fall against my car setting the alarm off. Add insult to injury, my lip is swelling, my nylons are ripped and I now officially look like I too have a costume on. It screams homeless crazy woman.
I drive home, maintaining the speed limit, because explaining this to the police would just take too long. At 6:25 I pull into my driveway, slide out of the car and with the luck of the day, tear my skirt when it refuses to let go of the door handle it has looped itself around. Sweat trickles into my eyes as I rub my swollen lip. I can only hope whatever costume they have picked out for me has a full faced mask.
Pulling out my house key, I can only wonder if I will have time for a shower and clean clothes...
Out of the shadows steps UPS...frowning at me. He shakes his head as he looks at me. "What in the hell happened and why are you so late?"
I open my mouth to start to explain when he pulls me to him and kisses me hard on my bruised lip. His lips mash against mine, not a 'hey nice to see you kiss' but more 'I am so angry at having to wait that I want to hurt you kiss."
A tear trickles over my cheek, he pauses, licks it off then swoops me into his arms. "We're late."
He carries me to his van, tosses me into the passenger seat and reaches across to buckle me in.
"I need to go in and get cleaned up, I need to pee, I'm a wreck." my face pouts over at him, a sure fire way to win him over.
"Not today princess!" he scowls at me...the party has already started and since you are the guest of honor, I am going to get you there as soon as possible.
The rest of the ride is in silence. His hand rests on my knee, fingers feathering over the bare skin where the torn nylon has exposed flesh. Even that slight touch sends a shiver along my spine. My bladder protesting loudly making me wriggle in my seat.
He pulls up in front of a large house, well lit, Halloween decorations adorning every window, along the walk, and as I am looking around he slips a blindfold over my eyes. He whispers in my ear, "Oddly enough, your costume is perfect for your first bit of Halloween role play." His chuckle does not make me smile, but sends waves of apprehension coursing through my body.
Once inside I can hear voices, music, the lighting must be dim as nothing penetrates my blindfold. I stand perfectly still, knees shaking slightly, and the urge to pee increasing with every passing second.
I am led up a set of stairs and pushed gently into a chair.
A voice, seemingly coming out of thin air announces, "Welcome to The Halloween Party for Purty, our honored Monday Letter Club member. She has come late, but it seems she has come dressed appropriately for the stage."