Chapter 4

Andy arrived at the party with Erica and reached the bar after squeezing through the crowd.

''Happy birthday, Timothy'', he said when he managed to get close to him. ''That's the party you were talking about? A usual night at work?''

''It is a party. We're having fun, dancing to the music and the drinks are on me. Hello, Erica'', he said looking at her with a wide smile.

''Hey, Timothy. Happy birthday! Thanks for inviting me''.

''Alas! The party would not be the same without you''. Andy couldn't stand listening to his neighbour's attempt to flirt.

''Those drinks you said you'd treat us?'', he interrupted and Timothy prepared what they asked.

''Why do you make it more difficult for him? It already is'', Erica complained when the barman was far enough to hear them.

''Erica… Are you interested in Timothy?''

''No… I just enjoy the attention men give me. It isn't the same''. Andy smiled drinking his beer and took a look around. People everywhere. Some drunk, others not yet, holding their drinks and too close to each other, they were trying to dance. He sighed thinking he did not want to be there. Crowds always annoyed him but this was too much.

''Thank you'', Timothy told him after a while. ''I know you aren't fond of places like this, so I appreciate that you're here tonight''.

''Absolutely, my friend. Just make sure you celebrate your birthday at home next year''.

''So, Timothy...'', Erica spoke, ''how many of these people are here for your party?''

''Except for you… A couple of friends''.

''Won't you introduce us? I'd like to meet your girlfriend''.

''But I don't have a girlfriend'', Timothy said.

''Oh, sorry. I thought that you had one'', Erica said getting a surprised look from Andy.

''No. Actually, I'm glad you asked. I wouldn't want you to think that I am in a relationship''. Erica slightly smiled and drank one more sip from her coctail.

''Will you excuse me?'', Andy said as he stepped away. He just wanted to be alone for a while. The atmosphere was too suffocating that he felt the need to get out and breathe fresh air. He was passing through the crowd with difficulty, when at some point he heard someone calling his name. He paused, trying to discover where that voice came from. But everywhere around him were unknown faces and he could not imagine who would recognize him in that place. Trying to see in the dark was proving to be as difficult as expected, until he suddenly saw Miss Penny's smiling face. Her friend though was the first to speak.

''You are Annie's uncle, aren't you?'', Amanda said when he came near. ''What a nice surprise! Do you come here often?''

''No, I wouldn't say so. I'm here for a friend's birthday. You?''

''I come here often but it's a first for Penny'', Amanda answered.

''You can sit with us… If you'd like'', she suggested.

''Gladly'', Andy said as he sat next to them.

''So, what do you do for a living?'', Amanda asked.

''I'm a judge''.

''Oh, your job is very arduous'', Penny commented.

''Yes, it sometimes is'', he said after some thought.

''Definitely'', she went on. ''Dealing with criminal cases every single day… I could never do that. It must be very difficult for you, too''. For Andy, it was not difficult at all. On the contrary, things were simple. When someone breaks the law, justice must be served. Despite this, he did not want to argue with Penny. Pointing out her mistake would bring a heavy atmosphere, so he preferred a vague answer.

''It is a tough job. But it's best to talk about something more pleasant tonight''. Soon, he forgot that a while ago he was heading to the exit. He forgot how disturbed he felt by the noise and the crowd. The unexpected encounter had made him happier than he could imagine and he did not even realize how quickly the time passed.

''Andy, here you are!'', Erica said standing all of a sudden next to him. ''I've been looking everywhere for you. I was carried away by the discussion with Timothy and I didn't notice where you went''.

''I bumped into Annie's teachers, who were polite enough to ask me to sit with them. I'm sorry for not telling you. Let me introduce you: Ladies, this is my friend Erica. Miss Amanda and Miss Penny''.

''Nice to meet you'', everyone said but Penny's look seemed a little odd to Erica. Like it wasn't so nice to meet her. Of course, Andy did not notice.

''It's been great but it's time we left. It was very nice to see you again'', he said and returned to Timothy together with Erica.

''They make a great pair'', Amanda commented as she looked at them walking away but Penny said nothing. Even though she did not mention this to anybody, not even Amanda, the truth was that she liked him from the moment she saw him outside of the school yard. But all that proved to be a stupid mistake. 'Of course he has a girlfriend!', she thought bringing Erica to her mind. Yes, they made a great couple and if she had to describe Erica to someone, she would say that this woman was impressive, to say the least. She was charming and self-confident. Anyone could see that immediately. Next to her, Penny was just a simple girl. 'How could a man like Andy notice me over her?'

''What's wrong with you?'', Amanda asked her, since she hadn't said a word for several minutes.

''Nothing'', she answered. ''Too much alcohol probably''. To prove she was telling the truth, she did not touch her glass for the rest of the night. Penny made the decision to stop thinking about him. Obviously, Andy was in a relationship. Therefore, any romantic thoughts she had for him, were just fantacies.