" I stared at him. "Well I know it's not your 'scene' but would you like to come with me as my plus one, honey? You'd be a lifesaver," he asked, knowi...ng I would say no. "Sure! But I get to pick what I'm wearing and you pay for it, okay?" I told him firmly. "I will let you choose but I will have the final choice and no drama!" A flash of seriousness crossed his face that I had not seen in many years. I rolled my eyes and nodded in agreement. We chatted as we finished the rest of dinner. Not for the first time, she regretted having chosen her gown before she had discovered the production company was throwing its celebration in an Alaskan hunting lodge, and her own stubbornness for not changing into something more appropriate, or at least warmer. Kristen had positioned herself carefully at the edge of the room where she could interact with anyone who might be inclined to engage her in conversation, but not so exposed as to be in the way of people moving from one tight group to. Late that night I slipped out of my bed. Afraid even to breathe, I tiptoed to the doorway and slipped down the stairs. I hugged the wall to avoid the tread that I knew squeaked. Then I unbarred the top of the Dutch style doors and clambered out. I eased them closed behind me, hoping that no one would notice they were open before I got back and bar them against my reentry.I flew on swift feet to the grove of trees where I had agreed to meet Dominic. The moonlight lit my way and I caught my. I slumped on the sofa near the bathrooms where we sat and tried to listento the conversations around me and not think about what a shambles I'dmade of snow day. Dallas had some art project she was working on andSarah wanted to know all about it. I couldn't really concentrate on thatand when Michelle tried to talk to me about some skates she wanted, Ijust gave her one word answers, my hands shaking and my eyes watery.Every so often either she or Gina would make me laugh, but it soundedkind of.