I needed to go home. I didn’t remember anyone’s name from the party, and it was winding down anyway. The woman I met earlier still sat near me, eyeing me as if she wanted to ask me another question about something she didn’t care about at all. I knew the type: act like you care until you don’t. Then go home. For me, it was time to go home.

“Andy, wait!” I heard someone shout behind me. Figures. I turned to see Mariella walking my way with Tony.

“We’re about to cut the cake,” she said, more to the whole table than to me. I nodded, smiling.

“Let me just use the bathroom first. I’ll be right back out!” She smiled and turned away. I nodded to the woman at the table before I got up and walked to the bathroom, smiling at those I passed. Most smiled back.

In the bathroom I stared back at a reflection that was not smiling. A reflection that looked haggard, drained, and dismayed at having to be here, having to go through these motions to show they cared. A face that shouted a silent scream, before they flushed the empty toilet, turned the faucet to run water straight into the sink, and came out to watch the cutting of the cake, smiling again.