Party #2 is an annual favourite. A cookie exchange. I love cookie exchange. I love the tradition of sharing sweets this time of the year. I love leaving with 10 dozen different cookies.

I love cookies.

I walked in and I don’t know what happened. I did not want to be there. The house was so pretty and warm, the tree lovely and decorated. I knew all the women there and like them very much.

A friend met me at the door and said she was at my dad’s funeral and I did not know this as there were so many there that we did not get a chance to speak.

My father’s dead? I thought to myself. It is Christmas. That can’t be right.

My canvas got covered in thick black paint.

I don’t know what happened but I felt like I wanted to leave. I wanted to be alone.

This is unexpected for me because I love parties and I love people.

I finally walked into the room and sat beside the person I hardly know and spoke with her until I could justify leaving.

And I left.