It was close to 1:30am, and the last of Holly's guests had finally left. Exhausted, she flopped onto the couch and kicked her shoes off.

But her rest didn't last long; there was suddenly an incessant knocking on the door. Sighing, she got up (still barefooted) and opened it.

Paul was there. He wasn't too steady on his feet. He waved at her.

"Hi, Holly!" he muttered.

She smiled. "I can see that you are! Come on in and I'll give you some coffee."

He stumbled in. She helped him to the couch.

"You don't have to put your shoes back on, on my account!" he said.

"Don't worry, I won't!"

She went into the kitchen. Fortunately, there was coffee there already, from the party. She poured it into a mug and brought it over to him. She then sat next to him.

"It's still hot, so be careful."

"How waz your party?"

"It was very fruitful."

"You didn't tell me you were gonna have a party! So, wouldja like to know how I knew about it?"

"No, tell me."

"I saw the people go into your apartment, tha's how! An' since I knew I waznt invited, I decided to have my own little party."

"I can see that you did!"

"So, how come you had a lil party, and you didn't invite me?"

"It's a secret, Fred."

"A secret! Tha's all you're gonna say about it?"

"Fred, you're drunk! You'll know all the details about it tomorrow."

"T'morrow? I wanna know NOW!"

"Don't shout, you'll wake up the neighbors!"

"I won't shout if you tell me why you hada party and didn't invite me!"

"All right, Paul!"

This shocked him. "PAUL?!"

"Yes, Paul! You see, Dick Richardson of Harper's Magazine was at my party."

"Harpers?"

"That's right. I told him about you, and he said he would be interested in publishing one, or two, or your stories in his magazine. I wanted this to be a surprise for you."

"Oh, Holly, I'm so sorry!"

They hugged and kissed.

"I guess I'd better sober up!"

"Yes, you had! Drink up your coffee."

"Yes, ma'am!"

He drank it down quickly. Then he started to get up.

"You're not going anywhere, Paul! You can stay on my couch and sleep it off."

"Ok, Holly. Say, why don't I giveya one of my foot massages."

"That would be wonderful!"

She put her feet in his lap, and he began massaging them. Unfortunately, the booze got to him, and he fell asleep! She got up, put his legs on the couch, and took his shoes off. Then she cleaned her apartment up for a few minutes, then went to bed.