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I should be happy I should be out drinking with the rest ofour success

So why do I feel so nu but an abstract sense of accomplishment instead of fierce pride or relief

The car suddenly stops, and hts "We’re here, Mr Callahan"

I look around We’ve pulled up outside the famous front steps of the Met museum, just off Central Park "Just a reat hurry to get to the party By now, I know these big charity events are all the sa polite conversation with socialites and their banker husbands, eating fli on overpriced auction ite in a couple more hours of work, but the contacts I ht can make the difference between a perlossy ossip colu, aren’t I?

I finally tuck et out of the car "No need to wait around," I tell ot a wife and kids at home, so I try not to keep him too late "I’ll catch a cab later One of us should have a decent Friday night, at least"

"Thanks, boss" Frankie grins "And congrats"

He drives away and is quickly replaced with another liowns They cli to their faces This is a theht, a masquerade, so I pull the black bandana fro the position so I can see

That’s when I notice a woman in the middle of the street

She’s dressed for the party too, in a dark blue cocktail dress and heels, but she’s notlike she’s about to topple right over The lights are red down the block; the street is e OK?" I call, approaching her

She looks up, her face illuhts Blue eyes focus on me, her dark blonde hair pinned back fro in annoyance "My heel is stuck!" she exclaims "Damn shoe This is why I alear flats That, and ht me to never wear shoes I can’t run away in"

She yanks her leg again, and I can see the heel of her jeweled purate

"Your mother sounds like a treat" I catch hold of her arm to steady her

The woman looks amused "She’s a New Yorker born and raised," she says, eyes sparkling with mirth "Plus, she wanted to prepare me for men and their beastly ways"