Double D

I returned to the apartment at 6 which gave me plenty of time to get ready for the party. I thought about the conversation I had with Marie that afternoon. I can hardly believe that she forgave me so easily, I didn't even have to explain myself to her, which I was going to do. What was she up to? She didn't seem like the same Marie that I had known back in the cul-de-sac. She was different and for some strange reason I wanted to know why.

I opened the apartment door to the smell of fish, gravy, and aftershave that was way too strong. I shook my head, Eddy was ready for the party I gathered from the smell of his aftershave. The smell of the gravy and fish told me that Ed was ready too.

"Gentlemen, I have returned." Ed popped his head out from behind his doorframe, "Double D! You have made it back to our lovely home." He ran up and grabbed me in a giant bone crushing bear hug.

"It is nice to see you too Ed," I could hardly breathe, "Ed could you release your grip I cannot breathe." Ed let me go and ran into his room to do who knows what. I went to my room to get ready myself. I hopped in the shower and when I was done I returned to my room. I pulled a white button up dress shirt out of my closet along with a black tie, a pair of blue jeans, and my black converse. I got dressed and put on my hat. I looked at myself in the mirror, I don't look too bad I suppose.

Marie

I got back to the house at 6:30. When I walked in the door it smelt like cigarette smoke and perfume. I sighed and dropped my purse next to the door. Walking into the living room I saw Lee and May sitting on the couch watching TV.

Things had changed a lot for us over the past few years. Mom had finally gotten a decent paying job so we moved into a house. Like an actual house, with a basement and everything. When money got a little tight Lee and I got jobs to help mom out. I work at the store in the mall during the mornings, and when I get home Lee goes to work at the Diner. Lee looked over at me with a cigarette between her lips.

"Marie, what took so long?" She barked. Lee had changed a bit since we left the trailer park. She no longer had her hair down in front of her eyes, she wore it back so you could see her startling blue eyes. She also let it grow out a bit so it was no longer short and curly. It was now to her shoulders and less curly, wavier. She also got taller and started smoking.

"I ran into an old friend," I replied keeping my answer vague. Lee eyed me suspiciously then returned to watching her show.

"Who did you run into Marie?" May asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. May had changed as well, she no longer had buck teeth. Her hair that used to be long she had cut short. She also started wearing form fitting clothes that made guys follow her around.

"No one important," I shrugged, "just an old friend." May opened her mouth like she was going to say something, but I just turned and went down the stairs to my room.

I didn't know what I was thinking when I agreed to go to that dumb party. I guess it must've been the fact that it was Edd who invited me. Oh Edd. I hadn't seen him in years and now I'm going to meet up with him at a party. It's funny how the world works sometimes.

I stood in the middle of my room trying to decide what to do first. Finally I decided that it would be best if I took a shower first. I got undressed and put on my robe, then I went upstairs to the bathroom. After my shower I stood in front of my closet for a good 20 minutes deciding what to wear. I finally picked out a nice little dress that I hadn't wore since forever ago. Once I was dressed I did my hair, my make-up and I slid some shoes on. By the time I was ready to go it was 7:40.

"Hey Lee," I yelled up the stairs, "What time does your shift start?"

"Not till 10 I'm pulling the overnighter tonight."

"Could ya give me a ride somewhere?"

"When?"

"Now."

"Where?"

"To the Cul-de-sac."

"Why?"

"I've got a date," there was a stiff kind of silence after I said that. I waited for Lee to respond, "Fine." I let out a small sigh of relief. That was one of the things I loved about Lee she didn't ask for details, she just wanted the main idea.

We rode together in silence for a little while until Lee spoke up, "So where exactly is this date at?"

"Well it's actually not so much a date, we are going to a party."

"Where?"

"Remember Kevin?" Lee scoffed, "Yeah I remember that little punk. Why?"

"It's at his place." Lee didn't say anything after that but I could tell from the look in her eye she wasn't too happy about the situation. I knew that she wouldn't stop me from going though. When I arrived at the party it was a little after 8.

"Do you want me to call you or mom when I need a ride?" Lee smirked, "Tell your date ta give ya a ride home. That's what men are for." I rolled my eyes, "I'll text you later." I closed the car door and headed toward the party.

"Hey Marie!" Lee yelled from behind me. I turned around to face her, "What?"

"Make sure you use protection," She winked at me then drove off laughing. I groaned and shook my head. 'Whatever' I thought as I walked through the front door into the throng of people looking for a black beanie.