Every New Years Eve I usually have a sleep over for the kids. I let them invite a few friends over, and I let them stay up late, and celebrate. Their parents are usually grateful for the babysitting, and I have a blast with the kids so its a win win situation. We have all kinds of snacks, play games, and dance compitions, and drink Sparkeling Apple cider at midnight. This year, most of their friends had plans, so I invited a few friends of my own over, and some did bring their kids with them. Before everyone came over I got a call that led to another New Years Eve party..
Hey Bridget Ill be over soon but I was invited to another party, which I have to stop by, just for alittle while, because my ex dared me and he doesnt think Ill show up, and you know me I have to go just to prove him wrong. Betty said(OK OK I changed her name, first of all, I think shed kill me if she knew I was posting this, and second, I didnt ask her permission because I know shed kill me for asking..lol)
Then she went on and explained the situation to me in detail. She was with her ex for a few years, but broke up about 6 yrs ago. They have a child together so theyve had to keep in contact for her sake. There were many reasons they had broken up (some I didnt find out until AFTER I agreed to go with her to the party for moral support) Her ex, Alan(ok I changed that too for obvious reasons) has OCD, and cant tolerate a mess of any kind, rage issues, and he used to beat her. He has been in counsilling for years, and has worked out a lot of his problems. This year he even went to Bettys house for Christmas Eve, trying to make amends and be there for his daughter, even though her family hates him for all his past mistakes. So he invited Betty over for New Years Eve, to the house that she left over 6yrs ago. The house they shared together, with all the bad and good memories. Betty told me she hadnt stepped foot in that house since she left it 6yrs ago, and she was afraid what walking into that house would do to her emotionally. I thought it over, I said its better to face your demons, and you obviously want to prove to him that you can handle it after all this time, I think you should go and Ill go with you for moral support, if you start freakin out just squeeze my hand and well leave.
Betty came over and dropped her kids off at my house and the two of us were on our way to her exs party. As we turned down the road to his house, Betty says to me, Oh we wont stay long, I forgot to tell you another reason why we broke up, he wanted to start swinging and I wasnt into that, and hes having a swingers party tonight, wait til you meet these ppllol I was in shock, A WHAT???? Betty replied, Ohh its ok, that stuff wont go on til later, Alan warned them were not into it, ohh and btw dont let him know that you know, he doesnt know I just told you. I sat there thinking, wth did I get myself into? Why do I always get myself into these things? Why dont I have any normal friends, am I some kind of magnet? Years ago I would have made her turn the car around and go home, but I figured hey, were here, might as well make the best of it, stay awhile, then get the hell out before any balls drop.
We pulled up in front of the house, ok it wasnt a house at all. It was a huge mansion made of white bricks, with beautiful landscaping, and a glass pain window that showed a beautiful chandelier hanging in the foyere. My jaw dropped.YOU used to live here?I questioned her. Yes I did and I couldnt wait to get the hell out of there too ........

We walked up to the front door. I didnt feel nervous at all, but I did start cracking jokes under my breath to Betty. I started singing swiiiiin lowwww sweet chariot. She warned me,You better behave yourself Bridget. To that I commented,Me behave myself? You bring me to a swingers party, unknowingly, and your tellin ME to behave myself? Alan answered the door to her shushing me. He greeted us and wished us both a Happy New Year. I walked in the front door and quickly noticed a theme throughout the house. White walls, a white carpet, white tile floors, a white couch, white cabinets, and even a white Christmas tree. We walked on through the kitchen following Alan. The kitchen was open to a family room with vaulted ceilings, and there was a movie playing from a projector across the one wall, I think it was Fast Times at Ridgemont High with the sound off and subtitles. The projector also displayed stars across the ceiling while it was playing the movie. We sat down at the kitchen table and were introduced to two other couples. Everyone was quiet, and to tell you the truth they looked bored and unhappy when we first came in. Betty commented to Alan, This is a party? Theres no music, nobodies even talking? I have to addmitt, when Betty told me in the car what kind of party it was I wondered who went to them. They looked like average normal couples, and once we all started talking I realized, if she hadnt told me I wouldnt have ever known. Betty and I started talking and telling them about last year when we went out together and sat on Santas lap, one of his friends said,You two should stay, you REALLY livin up the place. I replied,Ohhh no I have to be home before the ball drops. (To which Betty gave me a look, and whispered, please Bridget Im begging you, be good) Then I went over and looked at the horsdevours they had set out, rice balls and mozzarella sticks, I had to restrain myself from making a formation on my plate that might offend Betty any further..lol but I did whisper to Betty that they were the best balls ever, which sent her laughing.
Betty was so scared of what her reaction would have been, walking into that house with all its memories. She was afraid of having flashbacks or panic attacks. She was fine, but Alan was the one who reacted. He sat very quiet, his glazed eyes fixed on the table, not talking. We all tried to talk to him and get him to snap out of it, he didnt. We stayed an hour then got up to leave, he hugged her goodbye with tears in his eyes, and appologized saying that he was overwelmed.