Before the day has started for the masses I am already in my kitchen, fully dressed and ready to go. Outside it is as black as night, only by the clock can I tell the difference between the time to sleep and the time to rise. The dawn will come as I walk to Nutty Treasures the town bar.

Gabby leaned on the bar, her black hair lying over one shoulder of her sequinned dress. She lolled her head to one side, pushing out her red lips just a little. She wasn't drunk yet but she liked to give the impression that she was.

The bartender Mason was there to take her order in a flash, eyes dropping only momentarily to her low-cut neckline. She twiddled her hair in a seemingly absent-minded way and giggled girlishly before ordering a Sex On The Beach. She'd practiced drinking sexily from them at home in front of the mirror, just water in them then. She watched him fetch it, there were muscles beneath that shirt.

Like a stealthy reptile, I wrap my arms around her. Gabby turns, but too slowly to be normal. When she speaks her voice trails slowly like her words are unwilling to take flight. There is a sadness in her eyes, the brown too glossy. Automatically I know what's she's going to do next, so I open up my arms and she falls on my shoulder crying her eyes out.

Mason comes over with the tissue box in his hand, grabbing it from him I whip off her lipstick from my shoulder, grabbing some herself I sit next to her. Patting down her bedhead, Mason put some water in front of us, then leans on the counter, it seems like he had a rough night, both of them did.

" Maybe next week M..." I say to Mason knowing their feelings towards each other, he nods and takes a customers order.

" Oh Hunny, how did it end this time?" I ask, thinking about their feelings. I wish they both do something about it, but they just hurting each other. I don't know in detail what happened but M told Gabby his feelings but she was drunk when she told him. But then after a breakup, she whines to me about her for Mason to me.

" He said, ' Look at my horoscope! "...a new love in your life..." Well, gotta follow my guiding star...' HOW RUDE IS THAT!!" She shouts then gulps down her fruity drink, as I take out my wallet she raises up her hand, mumbling. " I got this one..." She throws a twenty down, but that's not nearly enough for what she had all night. When she heads towards the door I put down a fifty knowing she'll be back next time and won't have enough.

I drag her into my car that's parked out side, then I run back to Mason to get my keys. We hug goodbye and then I drive Gabby back home. Getting her to bed and changed into a night gown I start my day. Before I go I put something special something for her in the refrigerator I know she'll enjoy. And knowing she'll text me later asking to go grocery shopping for her, I put the shopping bags in the back of my Ford Mustang.

I shop for the few things we need around the house, then I make a quick stop at the library to get some books to help Gabby study for her Final Exam.

***

Going back home Gabby sits in front of the shut-off TV drinking my special sobering remedy I left before I went out. Bringing in the bags, she puts them away like our usual routine. I'm just surprised that she didn't call me this time.

Just as I sit down on the couch and un-tie my shoelace, Truman texts me asking to meet him. I frown, how unusual. Last time Truman texted me was when Dad had a stroke. He was in the hospital for a month. This can't be good.

With the given address I go to a parking spot. Recognizing the semi familiar area knowing I won't be able to find a parking spot in front of the building.

Speed walking through the crowds there's a familiar scent that wafts through the air. It seems like no one paid no mind the gracious smell. In the back of my mind, I imagine a tall man looking at me like a déjà vu but I would have looked behind me if it wasn't for the crazy crowd.

Almost running with the crazy crowd I step into the building that he gives me, the door gives a loud creaking noise as I open it. The room was sorta dark and gloomy, it was like Sherlock's room. Over in the 'hall' was Truman pinning something on the wall, I look whats there and it was a wall of blank papers but a letter in the center.

" Why don't you take anything seriously? You do this all the time and it's so annoying, so give it to me." I say with my hand in front of me, he rolls his eyes and takes the letter down and I start reading it.

Dear Loved Ones,

It's almost eight years since our whole family has been in one room and so much has happened. So we decided to host a family reunion to catch up and talk.

If you are coming in from out of town there are several places to stay. The Shawnee State Lodge has rooms for around $125 a night. The ABC Motel also has several rooms and is in close proximity to the reunion site.

The meeting place will be at our first home in Westershade, it will be for the whole week so pack well. If there are more than twenty-five people coming, staying in a hotel would be the best choice, everyone can bring a plus one.

Love,

Cal P. and Merrill L.

That must be a miss print with their last names. It doesn't seem like they wrote this letter because they both love details, something serious must have changed. But I guess that they'll fix their argument by the time mom birthday comes around, it is at the end of the year too in Autumn. I guess a family reunion wouldn't be that bad.