A prompt a week - 39. Talie's Party - Prompt 455

“Damn, I don’t want your excuses, Doug. I just want you to get your ass to my house tomorrow night!” Talie growled into the phone.

“But, I hate parties and you know that. Never mind a damn Halloween party.” Doug whined and tried desperately to figure a way out of going.

“Now you listen to me, Dougie boy. I had to go get you at the hospital last week at two am. Two friggin am. I was sound asleep when you called and did I leave you stranded?”

Doug sighed. “No, you didn’t leave me stranded.”

“Damn right I didn’t. Then you had that messy break up with Paul. Who did you call?”

“I called you, Talie.”

“Damn right you did. And we had packed you up, moved you out, and sat up all night eating ice cream and dishing about what a shit he was.”

Doug knew he didn’t have a chance to escape now. He’d racked up too much and hadn’t been returning any favors. So, now that Talie was calling in some of his debts he knew he had to drag his ass to her party, no matter what.

“Alright, I’ll be there. I will find some sort of outfit and be there.”

“Good. The party starts at seven. I expect you here by six to help me finish setting up. I’m counting on you Doug. And don’t think you can mope around like you did at your sixteenth birthday party, cause Danny Finster wasn’t there and you had a crush on him. This is my party and your ass is going to be a happy camper. Am I understood?”

“Yes, Talie. God, you’re like a drill sergeant.”

“Honey, I don’t drill anything. I leave that to your dates.”

“Bitch,” Doug said as he started to laugh.

“Dear, I ain’t a bitch. I’m a Queen Bitch that all other bitches wish they could become.”

Both old friends laughed at the joke they’d been sharing for years.

“Alright, see you tomorrow night.”

***

The trip to the costume store during Doug’s lunch break was not what he was expecting.

“I need a costume for a party tonight.” Doug stated as he hoped to be in and out quickly from the store.

The woman behind the counter looked up and shook her head. “Waitin to the last second, kiddo, doesn’t mean you will end up in anything good. Especially with it being two days til Halloween. Why on earth you people decide to wait to the last second.”

Doug blushed.

“Alright, you are a tall one.” The woman came out from behind the counter and stared at Doug.

“I’m a little tall,” he admitted as he stared down at the store clerk.

“Right, a little tall. That would make me, what, a shrimp? You’re what …” She paused and stepped back as she stared at Doug. “Six Two I’d bet. If I had to guess about one forty-eight maybe one forty-nine soaking wet?”

Doug blushed again. She had his height exactly and was off by a mere pound.

“So going to need an extra extra tall. Hmm. I am going to have to look. Have a seat, string bean. Don’t know if I have much in stock.” She started to head to the back, stopped and looked at Doug. “You looking to rent or want something cheap to buy?”

“Buy if I can.”

She nodded and headed off to the back.

Doug sat there for a few minutes before the door opened and another woman walked in.

“Oh, you here for pick up. Sorry, I went to lunch and left Maisy in charge.” She paused and giggled. “I should say I left the owner in charge. I’m just her help.”

“Um, Maisy went to see if she could find a costume for me.”

“Lord, you did wait to the last minute, didn’t you?”

“Sort of a last minute invite that I couldn’t get out of.” Doug shook his head. “I’m just hoping she finds something. My friend will kill me if I show up without a costume.”

“Well here comes Maisy, so chances are you are going to leave with something.”

Maisy strode up with three long black bags.

“I have exactly three that might fit you.” Maisy laid the three bags on the counter. “My only question is this - are you afraid to show a little skin?”

“How much skin?” Doug blushed as he wondered.

“We’ll start with this one,” Maisy stated as she shoved a bag into Doug’s hand. “Changing room is right behind that curtain. Go try it on and come out.”

Doug stood and took the bag with him into the changing room. He opened the long zipper to find a gladiator outfit. It had almost a loin cloth, some netting across the chest, a plastic sword strapped to the back and a helmet. He felt positively naked once he was in it. He was about to change out when there was a knock on the door.

“Come on, string bean. Time’s a wastin’.”

Before he even thought about it he found himself standing in the middle of the shop before Maisy and the other clerk.

“Oh! Wow! I can almost …” began the clerk who had come in while Maisy was looking for costumes.

“Shut up, Sam. Nah, you are too exposed in that and the way you are blushing before us won’t do for you to wear to a party.” Maisy turned and grabbed another of the black bags. “Take that off and put it back in the bag. Try this on instead.”

Doug hurried back to the dressing room, but he clearly heard Sam talking to Maisy.

“He looked hot in that, but I’d rather him wear that into my bedroom than out to a party.” Sam nearly growled at Maisy.

“Get a grip, Sam. I don’t think he plays for our team.”

Doug raced out of the gladiator outfit and put it away. He was almost afraid of what he’d find in the second bag. Once he opened it, he really had to stare at it to figure out what it was. There was this long voluminous robe with a skeleton mask, and a folded scythe. Realizing he would be playing death he quickly pulled it on and headed out, confident he had found his outfit.

He walked out and Sam began to laugh.

“Damn. He is over six foot. That just won’t work.” Maisy sighed and shook her head.

“Why won’t it work?” came Doug’s muffled question.

Maisy walked over and turned Doug toward the large mirror. As he looked at himself through the mask he spotted the problem immediately. The robe ended about six inches from the floor. His pale white legs, socks, and shoes showed clearly.

“Oh.”

“Well that leaves just one possible left, string bean.” She patted Doug on the back. “Sam hand me that last bag.”

Sam brought over the final bag.

“Look, next time you need a costume don’t wait to the last minute. This is my last outfit that might fit you. If it doesn’t, well, not sure what we can pull together. You won’t be as naked as the first one, but you sure as hell won’t be as covered as this.” Maisy handed Doug the final bag and pushed him back into the changing room.

Doug took off the death costume and put it away. He was about to open the last one, when his watch began to ring off. “Damn it all to hell. I have to be back at the office in ten minutes.” He grabbed the last bag unopened and brought it out to the counter.

“I thought I told you to try it on?” Maisy raised an eyebrow as she looked at Doug.

“It’s fine. I will take it.” Doug stated.

“Okay. You sure?” Maisy looked cocked her head waiting for an outburst.

“Yeah, I’m sure .” Doug handed over his credit card as Maisy rang it through.

“Enjoy your outfit. Remember there are no exchanges or returns. Thanks for thinking of Costumes Are Crazy.”

Doug ran out the door and hurried to the office.

***

Talie sat on the floor, tears streaming from her eyes, and barely able to breathe.

“It’s not funny, Talie. Damn, I’ll just wear my suit and go as a business man.”

“The hell,” there was a pause as Talie tried to get air into her lungs. “The hell you will. You are wearing the costume you bought.”

Doug stood there blushing like fire hydrant. He wished he had opened the bag and looked at what was inside instead of just agreeing to buy it and running so he wouldn’t be late for work. Now he was stuck in this ridiculous outfit.

“It’s not so bad.” Talie couldn’t even look at Doug as she said it. “Come on, we need to finish getting the food ready.

Doug sighed and followed Talie into the kitchen, which is where he hid for the first hour of the party ‘til a masked vampire walked in to grab another tray of food for Talie.

“I don’t think I need to rub your lamp to get my wish.” The vampire chuckled as Doug blushed.

Doug stood near the back door, not knowing that the outside light backlight him showing off his costume in full detail. His deep blue and purple vest showed off his muscular arms and hairless chest, but also somehow managed to highlight his treasure trail. The silk genie pants were tight across his front and widened as they reached his midcalf. They seemed to tuck themselves into his golden curled shoes. He even wore a small blue cap and a chain that held a lamp around his neck.

“Why on earth are you hiding in the kitchen? You should be out there mixing with Talie’s guests.”

“Are you kidding? Have you seen my outfit?” Doug shook his head.

“Yeah, and again you shouldn’t be hiding in here.”

“Antonio, why are you staying in the kitchen?” A pretty blonde woman, dressed as Alice in Wonderland, entered the kitchen and looked around spotting Doug. “Oh, now I see.”

“Debra, behave. I just met … um … the genie here.”

Doug sighed and realized he couldn’t stay where he was without attracting a crowd. “My name’s Doug.”

“Oh. Talie’s been talking about you, but I couldn’t figure out who was who in the costumes. You make some great food,” Debra said as she walked over and took his hand. “Antonio, grab the food and follow. I’m going to introduce Doug around.”

Doug couldn’t help but notice the looks both Debra and Antonio gave him as he was led out to the party. It appeared as if Talie was trying to widen his social circle and it appeared as if she was finding a way to do.

Doug was embarrassed by the attention his costume drew from everyone, but he also couldn’t help but notice that Antonio seemed to spend the night within a few feet, getting him drinks and food, and peppering him with questions about his life. When the party ended, Antonio made a point of telling him goodnight before leaving with Debra.

“So I see Debra got you out of the kitchen.” Talie commented as she began to pick up the discarded cups and plates, stuffing them into garbage bags.

“Yeah, she did.”

“I also noticed that Antonio followed you around like a puppy dog.” Talie paused and looked at Doug.

Doug blushed.

“So you know, he is single. Debra is sister. And before you ask, yes he is gay too.”

“He is cute, but…”

“No buts Doug. It has been seven months. You deserve a life and one that includes more than just your job and me.”

Doug bit his bottom lip.

“Oh, before I forget,” Talie began as she walked over to Doug. “Here is his phone number, don’t lose it.” She slipped a piece paper into his genie pants.

“Talie!”

“What? It isn’t like I got you both undressed and threw you into bed.” Talie let loose a throaty chuckle. “Just don’t forget to call him. I’m sure Debra will make sure he takes you out to a nice restaurant for lunch.”

“I don’t believe you!”

“Please, Debra and I want both of you to be happy. I just think you need each other. She isn’t sure her brother will make a move unless she pushes him to. You, I have more faith in.”

Doug stood there flabbergasted as Talie simply smiled and continued cleaning up.