Shit. This evening was spiraling out of control, and it wasn’t even dinner time yet. I didn’t want to spend the holidays back at my childhood home. The past two years had been a whirlwind of events. Lost job. Bad relationships. Meanwhile my brother and his new wife were happily in love, and I hated being around all the happiness.

Brandon and Abigail found one another after my mother died, and sure, I was happy for him, but I hated the constant reminder of what a failure I was in the live department.

So, going home for the holidays was not in my plan. Since Vivian and I broke up my nights were spent drinking whiskey, and watching old reruns of Nick At Night.

I worked my days in downtown Huntsville, Alabama as a lawyer for a corporate attorney. Getting this job a few months ago had been a dream, and now with the holidays approaching, I was able to finally get some time off.

I entered my apartment building and saw the feisty blonde who lived down the hallway from my apartment as she stood near the mailbox. I couldn’t remember where our hatred for each other started, but it was fierce.

Once I saw her kissing a man outside the mailboxes and as I tried to get my mail, he pushed me out of the way so he could keep sucking face with her. She was pretty, sure, but her attitude over the year was something I didn’t like dealing with. Another time I had a packaged delivered and it was delivered to her mailbox instead, it took her a month to get it to me. She was a certifiable bitch with her long blonde hair and perky body. I’m sure she was hit on all the time by men, so she had an arrogance about her, or maybe she was just born that way.

I put my key in the lock and opened my mailbox. Out of the corner of my eye I could tell she was staring at me. Turning in her direction, I smirked at her. “See anything you like, darling?”

She huffed, turning her nose up at me and then stomped off to her apartment. Bitch.

I sat in my chair in my one-story apartment overlooking a lake as I contemplated this whole holiday debacle. How fun would it be to sit around and watch Brandon and Abigail make googly eyes at each other all winter long.

Sure, I’d only be there for a week, but I just didn’t want to go alone. Part of me was half-tempted to call Vivian up to rekindle our tragic relationship, but that affair was like a Greek tragedy. The way things ended I wouldn’t be surprised if she ever wanted to see me again, which was fine because she made me sick.

If I could just find a friend to come with me, maybe act like a date or girlfriend then I wouldn’t receive the pitying looks from Brandon and Abigail. The idea was preposterous, although doable. Yes, all I would need is a good friend who would come with me, but who?

I went over my options as I quickly turned each girl I knew down. The list was already small and included mainly people from my office. Sylvia could be a possibility and as I reached for the phone out of my pocket, I grabbed a glass to pour myself more whiskey.

“Hey Sylvia,” I said after she picked up on the second ring.

“Hi, Kevin.” I could hear her smiling through the phone and felt it was a good sign.

“Was wondering what you’re up to the week of Christmas.”

“What the week that starts tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’m heading to my family’s house and would love if you would join me for the week.”

“Are you kidding?” she asked, laughing.

“No.”

“Kevin, that isn’t much notice, and besides I’m heading out of town to see my own family. I leave early in the morning.”

“Cancel it. Come with me instead.” I was getting desperate.

“Are you drunk?”

“No,” I scoffed. She hung up and after a few more calls I decided to call it a night. I would never find anyone and I just needed to face my fortune and realize I wouldn’t be having a fabulous Christmas, no I would be having a down right shitty one.