John is insisting on having a Christmas party. I have resisted for weeks. I deduced that the scheme was concocted to make his latest female companion happy. Females seem to enjoy a good party. Then he intentionally mentioned the idea in front of Mrs. Hudson. She, predictably, loved the concept and began pushing with John. I continue to hold out. He was accosting me, yet again, at St. Barts while we waited for Molly to bring some lab results back.
"Really John. I don't know why you even need me at your little get together. You and Miss Hudson can use the flat and I will arrange to be away. It's really no trouble."
"I don't see why you can't suffer through a few hours of holiday cheer. It won't kill you." John sounded exasperated.
"I do not see why you are so keen that I should subject myself to this "holiday cheer" as you call it. I detest unproductive socializing and, as you well know, I am not at all good at it." John attempted to speak but I was not finished. "I will be bored and insult everyone." I stared hard at John. Willing his slow brain to understand that my attendance at this party would have disastrous affects.
"Yes Sherlock. I am well aware that you will never be the life of the party. But what if we only invite people that are used to being insulted by you? Than the expectations will be very low." John smirks at his little joke. He enjoys my lack of social skills because it is one of the few ways he is superior to me. I pull a face to let him know that I didn't find him the least bit funny. I was about to fire back when Molly arrived with the test results.
I glance over her and my mind runs through its usual deductive exercise.
Hair and make-up: neat but a bit overdone. Eyes, slightly red and puffy but carefully concealed. She cried a great deal last night and perhaps a little this morning. Why? Nails show signs of nervous biting. She is upset about something. Shoes and clothes are more stylish than usual; possible lunch date. Someone new, possibly a first date since I have not observed any previous date attire. Of course it has been a few weeks since I last saw her so it could have been going on for awhile. Why must she continue to date unsuitable men? Because of course this new man will be unworthy of Molly, they always are. Her low self-esteem, kind heart, and obvious need to be loved make her an easy target for the Moriartys of the world. Men who use her and leave her. Men not interested or able to give her what she wants and deserves. Is that why she has been crying? Is it over some man? Suddenly she smiles, a transformative smile that seems to indicate that she is laughing at a secret joke. I glance at John but he is staring vacantly. So she must be laughing at me. What is so funny?
"Here are your results." She hands me the file as she approaches, her face suddenly businesslike. "As you can see there is an abnormally high concentration of sodium."
"Hmmm" The riddle of Molly Hooper is abandoned as my current case consumes my thoughts. I get completely absorbed in deciphering the lab results and their impact on the case. Vaguely aware that John has struck up an inane conversation with Molly. He is so very good at useless conversation.
Ten minutes pass and I have solved the case; a disappointingly easy deduction. I sigh, it was so promising. John and Molly are still talking. I guess they have lots of opportunities to talk when I disappear in my mind palace. What do they talk about?
"There is no point being with someone that makes you unhappy. Life is too short. Trust me I know." Molly looks so sincere and earnest placing her hand on his arm and giving him a light squeeze. John must have been unloading his girlfriend problems. He probably hasn't even noticed that Molly is upset. Even from across the room I can see a slight glisten in her eyes. More tears? What is going on? Is she with someone that makes her unhappy? I scrape the stool back as I stand, startling them both.
"Finished John. We can stop inflicting Molly with our company."
"I don't mind, I…" Molly begins in her whisper soft voice. I don't want to hear her fake protest. She obviously wants to be alone.
"Nonsense Molly I am sure John was boring you to tears." Did she get the clue? Does she understand that I have seen, that I know something is wrong? She is reasonably intelligent but I can tell she has not understood.
"Sherlock, not everyone finds interaction with other human beings a punishment." John sounds indignant. "In fact I bet Molly would jump at a chance to attend a Christmas party"
"Oh I love Christmas parties!" Molly's entire face lights up and her hands flutter in excitement. She looks truly happy for the first time in, well, months. How have I not noticed how unhappy and sad she has become? Because I am self-absorbed and overly concerned with my cases and the mystery of Ms. Irene Adler. But even with those distractions the great Sherlock Holmes should have noticed. Should of noticed that his friend (is Molly my friend?) was sad.
"Yes John. You have made it perfectly clear that "normal" people love parties." I give him an exaggerated scowl. John throws up his hands in mock surrender and turns to get his coat.
"Molly, John is attempting to coerce me into throwing a Christmas party at our flat." I explain.
"Oh. I is too bad. A party would have been fun." Her flash of happiness is gone. The flat look back in her eyes. Somehow I want her happiness back.
"Molly" I lower my voice and lean closer as I speak, not wanting John to hear. "If we had a party would it make you happy?"
She flushes. "Well, um, ya. I love Christmas and…It would be fun." she takes a deep breath. When I don't speak she continues rapidly "But don't have one on my account. I mean I am not worth planning a whole party over. If you don't want…" She would have said more but I abruptly cut her off.
"Molly I always do exactly what I want. You know that." Or she should know that after our many years together. Even if we rarely see each other outside of the lab or never talk about personal matters like her and John.
"Oh yes I am well aware." She smiles, her laughing smile from before. So she is laughing at me. What is so funny? And why am I suddenly angry? I need space. I need to be away from that smile and all the questions surrounding it.
"Come John." I grab my coat and sweep out of the room. Leaving John behind to say goodbye.
As we clip down the hall, I hear Molly Hooper laughing. My anger seeps away and I inexplicably find myself thinking a Christmas party might not be such a bad idea.