lola's red dress

the party started slow
the music
turned down,
being careful not
to annoy
the neighbors.
the chatter stayed
mostly in
the kitchen,
a tv buzzing
in the corner
for a game
someone needed
to watch. the finger
foods were passed
around, someone
stirred the fire,
and warmed
their hands before it.
there were polite hugs
and handshakes,
old friends,
new friends being
found, small talk
was had about
books and movies,
trips to be taken,
or just arrived
from,
and then lola
showed up
with a bottle
of tequila
in her red party
dress and her own
music.
no one remembers
much
after that, but
the sense was
that it was fun.