All Hallow's Eve

"In addition to it being a party there is some role playing that goes on." She further tried to explain, suddenly struggling with finding the right words, her hands turning as though trying to mold the right phrases in front of us. Eventually, she exhaled deeply as though frustrated.

"Well?" I prodded, eager to find out exactly what I had to do in order to qualify. I wasn't sure why I suddenly needed to be at this party but as much as my sister resisted, I only insisted.

She continued to stammer and the only thing that came out was, "We'll see."

That seemed to satisfy the three of us at the table who looked at one another with wide smiles of satisfaction although there was something else coming from Lisa and Melina that I couldn't identify. It was better than an absolute 'No' and I knew that with four days left I could hammer away at her reluctance and ensure my invite. The only problem, I knew, would be finding her. I couldn't get to her in class, but I was often in the coffee shop where she worked and would hound her until she finally gave in.

"I said, we'll see." She responded, reading the sly grin on my face and knowing exactly what you happen next.

The rest of the evening was uneventful and I was once again alone in the apartment with only my books to keep me company this evening.

My eyes were getting tired and the thought of hitting the sack was interrupted by the ringing phone. Living in a college town, I was used to it going off at all hours of the day and night and had become accustomed to unplugging it and relying on my cell phone for any emergencies that might come up.

"Hello?" I said.

"It's me. You've been formally invited to the party on Sunday. Be here, at the sorority at 4 p.m."

"Starting early?" I asked.

"Yes. We always start getting ready in the afternoon and knowing your discomfort for being out in daylight 'in costume' you can get ready here, the girls have volunteered their room. I assume you were planning on getting dressed up for Halloween again this year?"