The beginning of a small story-arc: Adventures in Party Planning with Erica Kane
The fact that this is her favorite holiday doesn't surprise me…much. Well, I kind of figured her for a Valentine's Day kind of woman, what with all the attention her suitor of the week no doubt pays her, but no, Halloween would have been a close second. Why? Because you got to dress up as anything and it's the one day of the year that the impeccable Erica Kane can look absolutely stunning all the while having fun. What does surprise me, however, is the fact that it's something we have in common. I could have gone my entire life pretending I had nothing in common with the little Devil Woman but no, now I'm stuck planning a party with her!
"Erica, there is no way we'll find somewhere big enough in time." I say. Erica stops her planning and looks at me like I've grown another head, "Right?" I ask. She scoffs,
"Are you telling me you doubt my abilities to be completely prepared for any possible mishap?" she asks, hands flat on the table before her.
"No, I'm just telling you that Halloween is in four days and we haven't even booked the hall yet. Most places require you to book a week in advance." I say logically. She smiles brightly,
"Most places don't deal with Erica Kane." She says. Lucky them.
"Kendall!" I exclaim moving to the curly haired woman. She looks up, her eyes wide with fright,
"What? Why?" she asks quickly. I blink, looking around,
"That's…something I find myself asking often." I mutter, "But anyway, have you seen Erica?" I ask, hands on my hips.
"Yeah, she went down to city hall to speak with the Mayor about something or other." She says waving a hand. I huff,
"Well she left me with a guest list full of people who aren't even in the phonebook, how the hell am I supposed to contact them?" I ask waving a little booklet that Erica left with me. Kendall furrows her brow,
"You don't already have their numbers?" she asks. I roll my eyes,
"Of course not; I barely know some of them. Why would I have their number?" I respond. She shrugs,
"Because everyone has everyone's number in this town." She says like it should mean something to me,
"Well I don't." I respond.
"Good luck then." One day, I'm going to do something about the Kane women.
"I was thinking I could go as one of the Thundercats for Bianca." I tell Erica,
"Really, I imagined you'd go as a slut." She says innocently. I sigh,
"And why would I do that?" I ask sure I don't want the answer,
"Well every girl dresses up as her mother at some point." And I was right.
"Erica, you look amazing; what are you supposed to be?" I hear David ask and turn around. He's wearing a devil costume and I can only imagi-
"I took a page from my past and decided to embrace being a Vegas Showgirl." She says proudly, doing a twirl. I gotta admit, she does look good. "And you David…well…I see you cut your hair." She offers. He glares, turning to greet me,
"Marissa, Avatar? Really?" he asks. I shrug,
"Bianca's a nerd. She and JR came as comic book characters." I offer. He chuckles, nodding and looking around,
"Oh, I see Angela, I'll see you later on." He says grabbing his tail and scurrying off.
"Strangely it feels like he doesn't have on a costume." I muse. I hear Erica chuckle a little but she doesn't comment.
"I can't believe Tad and David actually danced together." I say later that night as I'm helping pick up the hall. Bianca chuckles,
"I can, even the part where David tried to shove Tad down the stairs." She says.
"Marissa, a word?" I hear and glance over at Erica who's walking through, still looking like she just put on her costume.
"Sure," I say stepping off to the side a little, "What's up?" I ask. She smiles brightly,
"Well, as you know we need to start planning for Thanksgiving," she starts,
"What? No, oh no. Erica, I am not planning another anything with you!" I exclaim. She rolls her eyes,
"Don't be so dramatic dear," she begins again.
"I've slept three hours in the past five days!"
"No wonder we were so far behind schedule!" I pinch the bridge of my nose,
"Look, Erica,"
"Marissa, as an almost member of this family, you need to learn to prepare in advance for any event that'll bring us closer together." She cuts in, "Look, meet me in my office tomorrow morning and we'll start with coffee and a guest list, okay?" she asks. I sigh, eying her a little suspicious,
"Fine." I say. She smiles brightly,
"Wonderful, I'll see you at six am sharp!" she says scurrying off. I nod then think,
"Six am on a Sunday!" I call after her.
"Welcome to Kane-hood." Bianca says dryly coming to stand beside me. I internally scream, this is not what I wanted!