Scars of the Past by Kay Gordon

nurse was Elizabeth, her hand clutching onto his arm like it was a lifeline, and talking to a couple in front of her.
    At one point she reached up and whispered something in his ear, and he gave her a small smile in return. She beamed back at him and placed a chaste kiss on the mouth before turning back to the conversation.
    I could feel jealousy run through my veins, both irritating me and making me sad at one time. I quickly averted my course and decided to go right back to the kitchen, but before I could get out of there the woman Elizabeth was talking to made a gesture at me. “I’ll take one.”
    I silently berated myself for not moving faster, but took a few steps in their direction.
    She grabbed a full glass, put her empty one in its place, and looked at Elizabeth. “Another drink, Lizzie?”
    “Oh, I shouldn’t,” Elizabeth giggled as she reached for a full glass. I kept my eyes down, and hoped she wouldn’t recognize me through the mask. I breathed a sigh when she went back to her conversation, and made to leave. I chanced a quick look at Josh and realized he was staring back at me.
    His was holding his beer bottle as if to take a drink, but instead it was frozen in mid-air.
    I pursed my lips and turned my back on him, but I’d only made it two steps when he softly said, “Madelyn.”
    I stopped and cursed quietly before putting a fake smile on and turning back around.
    “Hello Josh.”
    “Madelyn?” Elizabeth looked confused and she stared at me for a moment before she burst out laughing. “You’re the help.” She continued cackling and her friend joined in, obviously desperate to fit in.
    I felt my cheeks color in anger, and I bit my tongue to keep from saying something rude.
    “Yes ma’am. If you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to the kitchen, but it was good seeing you both.”
    I turned and shot for the kitchen as quick as I could without actually running.
    I had to move past Sean and he tried to stop me, a concerned look on his face, but I ignored him. I also heard Josh call my name one more time before I disappeared through the double doors. I paused long enough to hand Tim the tray that still had one full glass on it amongst the empties, and I stopped next to Cara and Jamie.
    “Can one of you cover me for a few minutes please? I really need a break.”
    Cara took note of my face and quickly nodded, picking her mask up off the counter. I moved towards the door that led outside, pushing my mask up on my forehead as I walked out onto the back walkway.
    I was only through the door for about five seconds when I froze, remembering what had happened the last time I stepped out into a barely lit, secluded area alone. I didn’t have time to process it because Amanda burst through the door just moments later, causing me to jump and almost crashing into me.
    “What a bitch!” she spit, looking furious as she ripped her mask off her head, hanging it on her wrist.
    “Heard that, did ya?” I laughed humorlessly.
    Amanda nodded, sliding her arm through mine and pulling me down onto a marble bench that was against the house. “I was trying to peel some dick off me, and when I heard her practically screech your name.” She leaned her head against mine. “What is he doing with a prize like her anyway?”
    “Who cares?” I shrugged, feeling drained. “I don’t want that drama.”
    We just sat on the bench in the dark, the only sounds were muffled and coming from inside the house. Amanda always knew when I needed her to talk and when I just needed her to be there, and tonight her intuition was perfect. As the silent minutes went by, I tried to erase the image of Josh and Elizabeth from my mind, but it didn’t work.
    A man’s voice sounded from our left, causing both of us to startle in surprise. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
    We turned and Josh was standing near the back door, his hands in his pockets and a sad look on his face.
    Amanda glared at him before standing and putting her hands