Throwing a Party

Jill touched up the cheese platter where Matt had stolen a piece of smoked gouda and thrown off the symmetry.  She rearranged the pieces, trying to create an attractive design with yellow, beige, and cream.  It wasn’t working.  Frustrated, she abandoned the table and went to wash her hands.

The cheese was starting to sweat.  The apples were turning bronze even though she had tossed them in the appropriate amount of pineapple juice.  If the guests didn’t get here soon, the whole party would be ruined. 

She could feel the tears welling in the corners of her eyes.  Delicately she wiped them away with the tip of her manicured nail.  There wasn’t time to touch up her makeup, everyone was already late.

The clock on the oven glared – 7:30.  The invitations had said 7.

There was movement in the dining room.  Matt was at the cheese again.

“Get away from there.  You’ll ruin it,” she shrieked.

“But I’m hungry,” Matt said.

“There is more in the kitchen.  Just cut it up.”

“Isn’t that what this is for though?”

“That’s for the part.  It has to look perfect for when everyone gets here.”  She was choking back tears.  They found a way past and slid down her cheeks.

Matt returned the cheese to the plate and wrapped her in a hug. 

“No one’s coming,” she sobbed.

“They’re just late.”

“Everything is ruined.  The food looks disgusting and no one is coming.”

“Stop,” Matt said, taking her chin in his hand and wiping away tears.  “They’ll come.  And the food looks great.  Here, try some cheese.”

She tried to protest, but he ignored her.  He picked a big piece of sharp cheddar from the center of the plate and a club cracker.  Smiling, he fed them to her.

While she was chewing, the doorbell rang.