mood: stoic music: '10:15 saturday night' by the cure

i could tell i was late. once i got there, there was no place to park and cliques of people dotted the front lawn of my great aunt's house. it was that tacky peach color with white trim. it constantly reminded me of a dress a snotty housewife would wear to a country club.

it was a modern house, but in an old neighborhood; there was an open rain gutter running along the street, separating it from the sidewalk. this proved disastrous. especially as i tried to back up into the ever-narrowing driveway. 3 or 4 of my uncles were standing behind my car, waving frantically, keeping my car from a watery grave.

once i was safely parked, i stepped out of the car and looked around as i locked the door. the rain had been on and off recently; right now it was on. across the street was a huge crane and about a dozen people. i froze in curiosity. what were they doing? the crane's tow seemed to be hooked to something in the ground. everyone was looking down towards a hole in the ground. then i saw the loud flash of mahogany against the cold grey grass; they were exhuming a corpse.

'cool,' i thought. and i walked into the house. and what a house it was. from the outside it looked like a 3-story apartment. it even had an indoor courtyard. with a fountain. i started to wonder, why didn't i have as much as these people did? why didn't i know so many people here? then i spotted the banner: 'congratulations!' ah. wedding party. that's why.

i was hungry. at a party like this with so many indonesians, there had to be food. and i spotted the food train. the indonesian-style buffet present at big enough parties. i hopped in line and let my mind wander as i took step after step forward.

suddenly something hit me from behind. something with arms. strong arms. and a strong grip. someone was giving me the best hug i'd had in months. i moved around to try to see who had latched onto me from behind, but they were just that: latched on. i cherished the feeling; it made me feel loved. eventually they let go and looked up at me.

it took me a second, but i eventually recognized her as

'charlotte?' i said.

'hey you,' she said to me.

'what are you doing here?' i asked her.

'i know someone here,' she said quickly. i sensed she didn't want to say anymore, so neither did i.

she took my hand and we walked off through some random hallway. the lighting was getting dimmer and the peach paint was turning violet blue.

then coming the opposite way was allison. 'how many of my freaking friends are here?' i thought to myself.

'hey,' i said to her. she didn't respond, but she saw me, and even looked at me. and kept looking at me, puzzled. 'allison,' i called to her. she kept the same strange expression, even looking over her shoulder at me as she passed. i glared back wondering what was the matter. then i turned back to charlotte, saying, 'that was wei...'

but i never got to finish my sentence.

charlotte planted her lips onto mine. i jumped back in surprise. she looked embarrassed.

the lightbulb clicked on. 'are we cousins?' i said.

there was a short pause that stretched on for a long time.

'only by marriage,' she said softly and sadly.

i lifted her face and kissed her again. we started walking. we passed a dispenser. i bought one.

---Goei---