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“Mom! Are you home?” I hear Brooklyn’s voice call from the front of the house.
“In my room!” I call to her before looking in the mirror to apply my eyeliner.
I hear footsteps in the hallway, then in my room before the reflection of her in the bathroom doorway appears in the mirror. “Hey! Whatcha doin’?”
I click the lid back onto my eyeliner pencil, then turn around to give her a hug. “Hi, hon. I’m getting ready to go to a holiday party.”
“Oh, fun! Who’s throwing it?”
I turn back toward the mirror to finish my makeup, and Brooklyn lowers the toilet lid to sit down. “Markus and Amber. Supposedly Riser is performing at the party tonight, too.”
Brooklyn’s eyes widen. “No way! That’s awesome!”
“Wanna be my date?” I ask, although I know she’ll say no.
“I can’t. I have plans,” she pouts. “Although your plans sound better.”
“What? Do you mean you’d actually rather hang out with your mom than go out with your boyfriend?” I laugh, knowing full well her answer is no.
She rolls her eyes. “You know I love hanging out with you… but I’m not so sure I want to go to an old person’s party.”
I gasp, pretending to act shocked. I know she’s kidding, but I still have to react. “How dare you call me old! I am not old!”
She purses her lips. “Okay… keep telling yourself that. You do have a twenty-one-year-old daughter…”
I scoff. “I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.”
“Hey! Now that’s just mean.” She laughs.
“Oh, and calling me old isn’t?” I shake my head, then turn back to the mirror to fix my hair.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Brooklyn says with a sigh. “I guess you were young when you had me, so that doesn’t make you too old.”
“You’ve got that right. So what are your plans tonight, anyway?”
“Mike’s picking me up soon. We’re meeting some friends at Brickhouse for drinks and pool. I think a band is playing there, too.”
“Sounds fun,” I reply. “Will you be coming home tonight, or staying at Mike’s?” Although she’s an adult now, I always feel strange asking my daughter if she’s coming home at night or staying with her boyfriend. She may be twenty-one, but she’s still my little girl.
“I’ll probably stay at Mike’s,” she replies before looking down at her phone in her hands. “Oh, he’s here.” She stands and gives me another hug. “Have fun tonight. I’ll text you to let you know for sure if I’m staying at Mike’s. Love you!”
“Okay, have fun. I love you, too!”
Brooklyn bounds out of the room, and I turn to give myself a final once-over in the mirror. It’s just about time for me to leave as well. Hopefully the party is as much fun as I’m anticipating it to be. I’m sure it will. Amber and Markus always throw amazing parties, and the fact that Riser will be performing tonight makes it even more exciting.
“Heidi! I’m so glad you’re here!” Amber greets me with a hug as soon as she sees me.
“Thanks again for inviting me,” I say.
“Of course! Make yourself at home. There are food and drinks over there,” she says, pointing at the other side of the large workshop that’s been transformed into the ultimate party space. The setup includes a stage for bands to perform on, two small bathrooms, about a half-dozen tables to sit and eat at, and lots of open space for guests to mingle and watch the band later.
I make my way over to the food area, where several others help themselves to the impressive buffet. I say hi to a few people I know, although Markus said his parents couldn’t come because they’re not feeling well, so my aunt and uncle aren’t here.
After making small talk with a few acquaintances and filling my plate with food, I look for a table with an empty seat. Luckily, I spot one in the corner, so I grab a hard cider to drink and carry my plate in that direction.
Just as I sit down and get comfortable, I hear a deep voice say my name. “Heidi. It is you.”
I look up to see who the voice belongs to, and I’m shocked at who I see.
