The opportunity to attend a party, any party, was a welcome distraction for Lucille these days. She didn’t look to them with the same daydreaming quality she once had, hoping for a white knight to swoop in and sweep her off her feet. Now she look forward to such things to distract her from her current situation.

This evening’s ball provided just such a distraction for Lucy. Somewhere in the crowded room Helga and Nora were off entertaining gentleman, Lucy for her part was trying not to hope one evening could change her circumstances. The news was official now and it felt the whole world knew of her impending nuptials. As such most gentleman had maintained their distance and Lucy found her greatest companion to be the glasses of champagne enchanted a delightful light blue.

She was on her fifth, no, sixth? When the world took on a delightful spinning quality. Lucy smiled, there was no one here to impress she had determined when she indulged in her fourth glass. She had stopped counting after that. She turned at a voice nearby, marveling at the bright lights that swirled with a simple half turn, and stumbled on her skirts. “Oh!” Lucy exclaimed, pitching forward.

Ace Lukeson