The delicious fragrance of garlic bread and lasagna circled the room as the caterer and her team carried in hot trays of food. The aroma gave me a moment of giddiness about my date with Briggs. It seemed Katrina had easily dismissed Dane's rude advances when she brought in the cookie trays. She looked cool and collected as she instructed her crew on where to place the food items on the buffet.
Debra and I were working at the guest tables tossing out plastic spider rings and glowing plastic fingertips on each table as party favors.
"After putting together flowers for many big occasions like weddings and anniversary parties, I'm always impressed by the caterers. It seems like such hard work."
"Katrina Jessup is one of the best. She is extremely talented. I got to taste test some of the food we're having tonight. Katrina calls it a trip through Italy. It's delicious. I think everyone will be pleased."
The first of the guests started trickling into the room. Two versions of Dracula, one with a punk hairdo of red tipped spikes and another, the more traditional, with a cap that was supposed to resemble slick black hair with the obligatory widow's peak. A princess, a Darth Vader and a nicely created Edward Scissorhands walked in next. Debra looked anxiously toward the door as people strolled in. The song "Monster Mash" began streaming from the speakers overhead.
"Debra, I'll finish putting these goodies on the tables. Go up and get changed. Just because you're putting on the party doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy it too."
"Are you sure? You've already done so much."
"I'm enjoying this."
She handed me her bag of party favors. "Be sure to help yourself to a plate of food before you leave."
"Actually, my boyfriend is taking me to, coincidentally enough, an Italian restaurant tonight, but thank you anyhow. Now hurry up and get dressed."
Debra checked with the caterer that everything was going smoothly and readjusted a few of the decorations before heading out to get changed.
I quickly distributed the rest of the party favors. It seemed people weren't waiting to be invited to the buffet table. Plates were already being filled and the clamor of music and voices grew louder. I checked my phone, but there was still no text from Briggs. I was glad I'd showered after harvesting pumpkins, otherwise I would have been going out on a dinner date coated in dust. I only wished I'd pulled on something a little more spectacular than jeans and a gray sweater.
"Oh man, I thought I'd be the only Dracula," Clive barked through the noise in the room. He was holding his plastic fangs. He'd entered with someone wearing a gruesome zombie mask. It was easy to recognize Riley under the mask because he was still wearing his bright orange high top sneakers. Clive's two partner vampires seemed to shrink under his complaint as he approached them. "At least I didn't go punk like you, Roland. That is you under that white pasty stuff, isn't it?"
Roland muttered yes and then made his way to the buffet table, apparently not up for a long conversation with Clive. Dracula with the plastic hair didn't wait around either. His cape fluttered out behind him as he dashed behind vampire number one.
"At least I didn't wear the stupid cheap plastic hair with the costume." Clive laughed loudly at the guy's back. Clive hadn't spent too much time on makeup other than some white foundation and a drip of red painted near his mouth. His thick, brown hair was slicked back with copious amounts of hair product to give his mop the shiny, smooth look of Dracula. He and Riley roared with laughter when their third partner, Dane, strolled in dressed like Prince Charming complete with sash, red cape and black boots. Although, I'd never seen Prince Charming wear a Rolex watch. I had to grin at the irony of someone like Dane pretending to be a prince. His thick, burly build made him look even less right for the part. And as unlikeable as the three were, instantly people were flocking around to hang out with them.
"Just like high school. People never learn," a voice said from behind. I spun around to find a colorful jester with brightly colored tights, tunic and hat standing behind me with a plate of food. "Are you staying for dinner?" Grady asked. He picked up a garlic bread stick. "It's delicious."
"Yes, my mouth has been watering since the food was carried in, but I'm leaving the party to the Royals. I was just helping Debra out so she could get dressed."
"Good ole, Debra. She worked hard to make this a success. It almost would be if those three losers hadn't shown up."
I glanced back at the three. They were loud and arrogant and full of themselves, just the kind of people I avoided in high school. I smiled back at Grady. "Debra was telling me how awesome you were in school, always winning the academic awards. Someone like you should never have to think twice about bullies like that."
He sighed and it made the tips of his multi-pointed hat vibrate. "Told myself that again and again, but sometimes it's hard to forgive and forget."
"I know." I bowed my head to him. "Well, I'll leave you, royal jester. Enjoy the costume ball."
He dipped the bread stick into his spaghetti sauce. "I intend to make the night unforgettable. Good night, my fair lady."