Gemotions

"Oh, well," I murmured, a barely audible sound as I scrolled through the email again. The party was off. Relief, unbidden and overwhelming, flooded through me. I reached for a packet of my favorite tea and started the kettle. The whole charade had been a trial, a test of my patience.

I paused, picturing their faces, their misguided attempts at merriment. I chuckled softly to myself. Their efforts were so predictable. I had sensed it all along. Now, I could spend the day, the *entire day*, doing exactly as I pleased. I would make it a masterpiece of solitude.