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Tanya paused her movie, resting her elbow on the couch arm. She leaned her chin into her palm as I let out a deep sigh.
“Rough night, girl?” she giggled.
I could sense the sincerity in her tone, but the amusement overcame her. We always laughed about Jesse, but we also cried just the same. I did not find her to be insensitive right now, but I was in no mood to laugh. My emotions intensified, and I erupted into tears, spewing all my feelings out at once. I was so upset, unsure how I would pay my portion of the bills now.
“What happened?” Tanya gasped, leaning forward on the edge of the couch. She reached over resting her hand on my knee. “Are you okay?”
“He fired me!” I wailed into my palms.
She withdrew her hand, folding her arms across her chest. “He had no reason to fire you, did he?” she scoffed in disbelief, knowing I was a hard worker.
Rolling my eyes, I choked back my tears, wiping my eyes on my sleeve. “I tried to turn some important men away who came in five minutes before we closed,” I sniffled. “I know I shouldn't have, but I just didn't want Jesse touching me and wanted to leave.” Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself a little before I concluded, “He kept touching me all night and I wanted to get out of there.”
“That ass!” she snapped as she stood.
My eyes followed her as she strode over to the bar that separated our living room from our kitchen. She poured herself some more soda then gestured to it, silently asking me if I wanted any. I shook my head. She returned to the couch, curling a leg under her as she sat. Leaning her elbow on the arm of the couch once again, she listened as I continued.
“I just don't know what to do,” I admitted. “I lost about two hundred and fifty dollars in tips tonight.”
She took a long, slow sip of her drink then tilted her head as she stared straight ahead in deep thought. “Do you still have that mask in your closet?”
I was taken aback but I nodded, “Um, weird topic change but yeah,” I shrugged, “why?”
“There’s a masquerade this Friday night and we should go!” she suggested cheerfully as she leaned forward and took another slice of pizza from the box. She rapidly wiggled her eyebrows up and down at me.
“Are you serious right now?” I blurted, confusion washing over my face. My mouth fell open as I shook my head in disbelief at her lack of concern for what just happened to me. “I just lost my job and you want me to go to some mask party?”
She swallowed her food then grinned. “It's a special kind of party,” she hinted with a smirk.
I curled my lip in disgust, leaning forward to grab a slice of pizza. I slowly munched away on it, waiting for more information.
“It's a big annual masquerade ball and it's free,” she resumed, “in fact, everything there is free.”
Confused where this conversation was heading, I sat silently, uncertain how to react. I knew there was more to it that she was not sharing with me.
“In other words,” she rolled her eyes, beaming, “we have to pay for nothing, and we get to just let loose and have some fun.” Raising her hands, she gestured to her face, “We just have to wear a dress and our masks, that’s all.”
Doubtfully, I studied her, expecting the catch, but there was none. After a long pause, I broke the silence, “Can I think about it?” At the moment, I was too upset to decide about a party and I just wanted to go get ready for bed.
“Of course,” she nodded, “but I have to RSVP by tomorrow so let me know as soon as you can.”
I stood, wordlessly trudging to my room. I got ready for bed and climbed under the blankets, replaying my evening in my head. I tried to sleep, but I could not, tossing and turning all night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I had visions of my boss yelling at me, both in front of the gentlemen then in the privacy of his own office. Memories of every time he grabbed my breasts or bottom, came flooding back to me. Sometimes he claimed it to be an accident and on occasion he just threw his head back, guffawing at his actions.
Could a meaningless masked party really hurt anything? It was in two days which gave me time to put in some applications at businesses. I would then use my Friday night as a break and go have fun with Tanya. I did not bother getting out of bed, but I sent her a text instead.
Fine ugh I’m in.
She replied almost instantly,I promise you that it will be a memorable night ;)
If any other friend had texted me that, I would have instantly become suspicious but coming from her, it was normal. I did not even think twice about it.
The next morning, I woke up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I yawned. Stretching, I rolled over, checking my phone. I scrolled through my social media and email before I forced myself to get up.
I strolled into the kitchen, starting the coffee maker. While it was brewing, I opened the refrigerator to get the coffee creamer, but I noticed our fridge was overflowing with food. None of it was generic brand, but instead, it was full of name brand products. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but we usually shopped on a big budget, splitting the bills, which included groceries.
Cautiously, I opened both the freezer and the pantry, seeing it was the same. Arching a brow, I shrugged it off, assuming Tanya got a bonus. I made my way over to the dining table to sit while I waited for my coffee to be finished. It was then, my eyes fell on an envelope next to a little bag. I would recognize that robin egg blue color anywhere.
