So it was finally the day of the party, the Friday after Thanksgiving. I got up early and made coffee and by the time Fred came in for breakfast I told him as calmly as I could, “I can’t go to the party. I too afraid.”
I actually cried. I resisted every logical point he offered. I dug in my heels and insisted I couldn’t possibly be around a room full of people who were all wealthy and had the kind of life styles they had.
He left the room and then came back fully dressed and was putting on his jacket.
“I’m going to go downtown for breakfast. Why don’t you take a long bath, relax and I’ll be back in time to get ready, but you are going to this party.”
“The only way I can do it is if we’re the first people there. I can’t walk into the room if there are people already there.” I pleaded.
“Ok, I’ll call and see what I can do.”
He left the room and came back a few minutes later and said that he explained we would be by at 6:30 instead of 7 and the host said it was fine.
He came over gave me a kiss and quietly left me alone.