It started with a song.
She was used to the routine. "Do you know this song," they would ask. And then her brother and the others would start caterwauling something in 4/4 time that would drag on at the emotional moments, and taper off when they forgot the lyrics. She would follow along as best as she could, until she finally figured out what the song was. She knew a surprising amount of songs from the past, mostly from her older brother's tutelage.
The song he chose this time must have been very popular, because everyone perked up when he first started singing. As always, she plodded along, hoping for a familiar chorus that would jog her memory. It was a song about nostalgia, a little regret, with a revelation about a new love that was just in front of them. It wasn't long before everyone joined in, in surprisingly good harmony. She felt left out, as she often did, but didn't mind being in this rag-tag orchestra.
No one noticed the doorbell ringing at first.
Her brother's coworker finally heard the subtle chime. He opened the door, then stared in amazement at the visitor.
"Well, hello."
"Hello."
Pause. 'Who...what....were you invited' was not asked. He scanned the visitor up and down, seeing the normal business attire he was used to seeing on him. He also saw that he carried a wine bottle and flowers. He must have been......
"I have been invited."
The coworker always hated that his boss could read his mind. It made him feel like an open-faced sandwich. At least it wasn't ham, he thought, most times.
"Come in! Pass me the wine."
The music in the living room went on. She had finally remembered the song, and had started singing along. The voices around her diminished, as they often did when she sang. Was it amazement that someone so young would know their songs? Not really. She sang with her heart in her throat, and the emotion of her voice muted her brother's friends, causing them to sway next to each other as they teared up in quiet reflection.
He was watching, too. The pained look he had on his face relaxed. Who was this young person? How did she know this song from long ago?
Why did he care so much?
The coworker came out of the kitchen. He immediately spied his boss, with a very un-boss like look on his face. What the fuck was this about? Then he noticed the subject of his boss' attention.
Aw hell no!
The coworker barreled into the crowd of friends, hooked his arm around his best friend, and dragged him away. This nonsense had to stop. Now!
