Uninvited

Two weeks before Christmas, Jared stopped by my office. He was on his way out of town for a weekend in Palm Springs with his friends. I looked away from those keys in his hand, the reminder that he was leaving.

“So do you have plans?” he asked, in the manner of someone who very much hoped I would say I had them.

“Jada mentioned a party.” This was not a lie, in that Jada did mention a party, but wa