Page 106 of My Rules

Partying is my entire identity.

It’s who I am. It’s what I love to do.

So why does it feel wrong all of a sudden?

Perspiration dusts my skin as a new fear unlocks, and I pull my car over to the side of the road.

What’s happening?

An hour later, I pull into my driveway and wait as the garage door slowly goes up.

I drive in, grab the tub of ice cream from the passenger seat, and walk back out front and hit the remote. The door slowly goes down. Before I can stop myself, I walk over to Rebecca’s.

What are you doing?

I don’t even try to stop myself.

I walk up her front steps. “Barry, no,” I hear Rebecca’s voice call from inside.

Knock, knock.

The door opens, and there she stands, pajamas, green face mask, and her hair in crooked pigtails. “Hi.” She smiles.

I hold out the tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. “I brought you a present.”

“Oh, chocolate crunch. I love you.” She goes up onto her tippy-toes and hugs me, and I snap my arm around her waist to hold her closer.

If only she really did.

“That shit on your face smells toxic,” I whisper into her hair.

She giggles. “Don’t I know it. You should smell it from the inside; I’m about to pass out.” She grabs my hand and pulls me into her house. It’s then that I see Barry the dog pacing in the kitchen.

“What’s he doing?” I frown.

“Walking around like a lunatic.” She flops onto the couch. “He won’t listen to me at all.”

“Barry.” I point to his bed. “In your bed.”

He ignores me and keeps walking around.

“He’s stressed because Hen and Juliet are away.”

“Maybe we should take him back to his house?” I reply.

“He can’t stay there by himself. He’ll calm down.” She gets two bowls out of the cupboard. “I thought you had a date tonight?”

“I rushed out of there to bring you ice cream.” I wink.

“Very funny.” She smiles.

It wasn’t a joke ... actual facts, and yes, it’s confirmed. I’m a loser.

She dishes out two bowls of ice cream and passes me one.

“I’ll pull the fold-up out; my back is hurting,” I tell her.

My back isn’t sore. That’s a deplorable lie.

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