5
Trick Or Treat
Charlotte
Several times tonight, I nearly chickened out of coming to Paige’s Halloween party. Some things never change, no matter how old or rich people get. One of them is that people talk about you if you go to a social situation by yourself, especially if you went with a partner a few months ago. Then all the cliques make me feel like I’m in high school again. The advantage now is that I can have an alcoholic beverage to help smooth the edges.
I was sipping my first pumpkin martini and making small talk with one of my neighbors when Dr. Wolfe walked in with his brother and his brother’s girlfriend. Immediately, the small cluster of women next to me turned and began talking and giggling in high-pitched whispers as they watched the trio move across the room toward the bar. While many of them indicated they were interested in Theo since he was now taken by the actress Madeline Fox, they set their sights on Dr. Wolfe. And what a sight he made. He was dressed all in black. His shirt was pulled tight enough across his chest to indicate a man who probably takes care of his body through a gym workout. He had on a mask and a hat, but there was no denying who he was.
He hung out with his brother for a moment, but once he had his drink, he wandered off through the crowd, eventually stopping in a quiet corner. This made me curious about him.Does he have social anxiety? Is he simply giving his brother space? Is he like me and second-guessing coming to a party alone?
Regardless, I needed to apologize to him the other day. It’s never easy having to admit being wrong, especially to the person that is wronged. Still, since I’m a therapist, I felt it was my duty to model appropriate behavior. So I ordered a second pumpkin martini and then walked over to him.
He could’ve been a jerk about my behavior. Still, fortunately, he accepted my apology, and we began talking. Now I’m discovering a man who actually seems a bit vulnerable. Dr. Wolfe is extraordinarily handsome and clearly intelligent, yet he was hiding in the corner.
“Is that why you chose to dress as Rosie the Riveter, because you want to feel fierce and in control of your life?” he asks me, finishing the last of his drink.
I nod. “I did. I wasn’t sure I wanted to come to this party, but I wanted to be a strong female character when I decided to come.”
“So, that proves my theory that costumes reflect who the wearers are inside.” He looks down at his black shirt and pants, then lifts his eyes to me. “Except for me, of course.”
I cock my head to the side. “What do you mean?” I was about to say that he looks good as Zorro, but I don’t want to come off like I’m trying to hit on him.
“It’s like you said earlier about how life can throw you curveballs. I’m not feeling particularly heroic,” he says.
“So maybe that’s why you chose a character with a mask. You’re not feeling like yourself. So you’re hiding.”
He rolls his shoulders, and I worry I’m making him uncomfortable.
I wave my hand like it doesn’t mean a thing. “This is a fun game, but it is just a game. I had a client the other day who said she wanted to get a tattoo of her flipping the bird with ‘Mom’ written on it. I suppose that’s more representative of her feelings than any Halloween costume.”
“No kidding.” His gaze flickers over to his brother Theo for a moment, making me wonder what that’s about. Are there family issues between him and Theo?
“Does Theo have a similar tattoo?” I ask.
Dr. Wolfe’s eyes narrow at me. “I like the Halloween costume game, but not the part where we get too personal.”
I nod my understanding. “I’m sorry. Occupational hazard. By the way, my name is Charlotte. I don’t think I mentioned that when we met at the elevator.”
He laughed. “When we met. I like how you reframe that. That’s the term you use, right? Reframe?”
I smile, feeling a bit chagrined. “Yes, reframe.”
There’s an awkward silence, and I think it’s time for me to exit this conversation.
“It looks like you could use a refill,” he says.
I look down at my nearly-finished drink. “This is my second one. I’m not sure I should have another.”
He holds up his glass. “This is my first and not nearly enough to get me through this party.”
I step to the side to make way for him. “Don’t let me keep you from the bar.”
There is a part of me that’s a little disappointed we won’t be able to continue our discussion. Or maybe it’s just that I don’t want to look like I’m here all alone.
He stands for a moment as if he’s unsure what to do. Then he lets out a laugh and gives me a sheepish look. “I feel like I’m sixteen and in high school.”
I arch a brow. “Oh?”