The babysitter was late. She was supposed to get to Lydia’s apartment at 7:00. It was 7:14 and there was no sign of her, no text, no phone call, nothing to indicate she was planning on showing up. It was for the best, really. Lydia hated leaving Beatrice alone, she didn’t really want to go to this party anyway. She’d forgotten how to talk to people her age, they all were busy living exciting lives, and she was used to speaking to a five year old. A wonderful five year old, but still a five year old.
There was a knock on the door, and Lydia was dragged out of her thoughts. She opened the door to find the teenager girl who lived down the hall looking anxious and out of breath. She launched immediately into a series of apologies and excuses that Lydia could barely follow. It didn’t matter anyway, what mattered was that she was here.
“It’s alright sweetie, I was running late anyway,” Lydia cut in when the girl managed to stop her rambling for five seconds. “Bea’s already had dinner, but she can have a cookie or ice cream later, if she’s good. There’s some movies near the tv that she likes. The emergency number’s are on the fridge, and my number is there too. She should be in bed by 8:30 and all her stuff is laid out in the bedroom and the bathroom. Is that it? I think that’s it.” The babysitter nodded her affirmation, and Lydia slipped on the heels she hadn’t had a chance to wear yet. “I should be back by midnight and if not I’ll let you know!” She grabbed her purse and left before she could change her mind. Although, once she shut the door Lydia paused for a second, straining to hear as her daughter laughed at something the babysitter had said.
Somehow, she was nearly on time to the party, “A cozy little gathering,” her work friend had told her two days before. The amount of cars surrounding the house hardly looked cozy, and Lydia nearly drove right past. Instead, she steeled her nerves, found a place to park, and walked inside, one hand clutching her purse strap. Inside, the lighting was dim, and the music was loud. It was only slightly more sophisticated than the parties she’d gone to in high school, and the ones she imagined going to in college. Emily greeted her quickly, as kind as ever. She seemed surprised by how many people were there, and surprised by the atmosphere her roommates had chosen. Lydia wanted to reach out and grab onto her, but she was quickly pulled away back into the crowd. She glanced around the room, looking for a familiar face and finding no one. Her eyes latched onto the table with drinks in the corner, and she headed that way.
As luck would have it, the second she took a step towards the table, another woman turned around and Lydia stumbled directly into a stranger, her hands landing on his arm as she tried not to fall down. “Oh my god, I am so sorry!” she exclaimed, slightly mortified.
