She sat quietly unnoticed in the corner, stroking the host’s cat, and watching the other party goers chatting, dancing and drinking. She briefly wondered if it would be rude to slip away, but then as if sensing her thoughts, her sister wandered over to check on her.

“For goodness sakes, Lizzie, mingle. You’re embarrassing me.”

“These are your friends. I don’t know anyone here. Besides, Mr. Floof and I are having fun.”

Her sister rolled her eyes and flounced off in a huff. Lizzie settled back into her chair and tried to make herself invisible. She wasn’t good with strangers. Small talk was physically painful to her. She could feel her mouth go dry just thinking about having to come up with some mindless chatter.

People watching was much easier. She liked imagining what was going on in their lives. Better still was how people spilled secrets in front of her, either not noticing her, or just not caring that someone as boring as she would hear.

As the night wore on, she remained unnoticed. So far she had learned of three affairs, two looming divorces and an unexpected pregnancy. It was a good thing she wasn’t a gossip, or else many a life might be ruined.