“Right. Could we be more suspicious?”
“It’s not suspicious. It’s cautious. There is nothing wrong with being cautious. That’s why I’m parking on the street. Just in case we need to make a quick getaway.”
The music was thump-thump-thumping as we walked up the long driveway. Sandy pointed out BMWs, Lexus’, Mercedes and even a Tesla parked all the way up to the front door.
From the back of the house, splashing water could be heard. People were laughing and girls were squealing.
“Are you ready?” I asked Sandy.
“Yeah. Hey, Tilly?”
“Yes.”
“I’m nervous.”
“Me too. I don’t even know why.”
“Let’s do this.” Sandy took my left hand in hers. “Let’s make a lap around, see what’s happening, and if either one of us wants to leave after then we go.”
“Perfect. It isn’t like we have anything to prove.” I soothed.
“Yeah, we won’t even see these people anymore after tonight.” Sandy boasted.
“That’s right.”
We both took a deep breath and while still holding hands we opened the front door and walked in.
After a quick look-around we both realized we didn’t know a soul.
“Are you sure this is the right address? There are bound to be tons of spoiled brats having graduation parties, right?” I asked Sandy.
“This is the address.”
“Do any of these people even go to our school?” I smiled pleasantly.
“No. That’s a good thing. Let’s make a lap.”
I had made the mistake of assuming the entryway was the living room.
I carefully walked the long carpet as I was afraid if I walked on the marble any guest could see almost a mirror reflection up my skirt.
There were no Monet’s hanging on the walls but there were dozens of paintings taking me off to beautifully colored abstract worlds that I would have loved to study them had there not been a couple dozen teenagers loitering in front of them.
“Look. How many kegs are over there?” Sandy shouted in my ear.
There were five silver barrels lined up along a wall, each with a tap attached on top.
“Let’s have a drink and finish walking around.”
With beers in our hands, we continued exploring. But before we got too far Sandy shouted, pointed and burst out laughing.
"Tilly, look who it is!" She let go of my hand and dashed through a crowded room into the open arms of her good friend Sean Householder. I knew Sean and he was a really nice guy. Of course, he was traveling with his entourage, a short dude named Timmy flanked him on one side and a tall, lanky fellow who went by the name of Rob was on the other. I waved hello and watched my friend let down her guard knowing that if there was any trouble these guys would be her first, best line of defense.
“Hey, Tilly.” Timmy came up to me and we hugged. “What brings you to this part of town?”
“Just slumming it, Timmy. How about you?”
“Same.”