Sissy’s brows come together. “Don’t forget. Work for me at seven-thirty tomorrow morning. Okay, sugar?” She watches Tara leave, her bountiful smile revealing even white teeth.

The women cluster around the table nibbling chicken, dipping carrots into hummus, sushi into wasabi sauce, and bread into flavored olive oil, balancing wineglasses. Juliet talks with Sissy, probably about hospitals as they’re both nurses. Rosie pumps Laurie about Olivia’s naps and the process of adoption in China. Allie and Charlene huddle together over plates of Thai noodles. When I ladle a bowl of soup, I don’t realize how hungry I am until I start eating. I flavored the soup with the perfect amount of basil, if I do say so myself. The sound of multiple conversations, laughter, and the clink of eating utensils fill the kitchen and dining area.

I check my watch. Sky should have called by now. I consider slipping into the bathroom and calling her but decide against it. Maybe too overbearing, maybe too intrusive. Let her control when she tells me. My cell phone is on vibrate and clamped to my hip.

Jeannie arrives dressed in an upscale tie-dyed T-shirt that shows off her cleavage, and Rosie huddles even closer to Laurie, stepping to the side so that her back is toward the entry. Jeannie brings a salad with oranges and walnuts and Taylor’s chips and dip are tried. We roam around the table helping ourselves to food, holding our wine, each stem graced with a charm from the set that Juliet gave me as a birthday present some years ago. I glance at her and she laughs at something Sissy says. Rosie has relinquished Laurie and is talking with Charlene about the economy, while Allie, Jeannie, and Taylor discuss business opportunities for Taylor.

For a moment I watch my party, the enjoyment we have with one another and our effortless camaraderie year after year. The ginger flower surrounded by candles graces the table. Sissy takes some chicken and joins Charlene and Rosie while Juliet gets more wine, filling everyone’s empty or almost empty glasses. The candles burn softly, the lights shine on the Christmas tree.

“Are we all here? Where’s Tracy? And Alice?” Juliet asks me. “And Vera.”

“They’re not going to be able to make it…. Tracy’s in Hawaii with Silver and you know Alice is in California.” The plates are now stacked beside the sink.

Rosie stops her conversation with Charlene and asks, “Vera?”

“Vera’ll be here. Unfortunately, she had to make an appointment this afternoon and she’s coming, just late.” I notice Sissy frown and check her watch. “We should start. She’ll come and catch up.” No one is eating anymore. At least for now, but I know they’ll eat throughout the party.

“Uh-oh. What about the rules for Tracy and Alice?” Taylor asks. “We aren’t gonna lose them, are we?”