I’m not sure what to make of the events that unfolded today at my secret Santa party. I keep replaying the last few hours in my mind, but it doesn’t help. I’m still confused.

It all started out so well. Alani and Gussie were the first ones to arrive. They helped me set up the tree and hang up the decorations. Alani also offered to prepare some lunch while I sit down with Gussie, as we didn’t really have a lot of time to catch up since I got back from Shang Simla. I suspect she was also afraid of the possibility of me ruining the food as usual.

“Abbie, you look so different.”, Gussie said, looking me up and down. “I don’t mean from the outside. But you are much more relaxed. It suits you.”

“A lot of things changed. I let go of many things from the past. It helped.”

“I’m glad to hear”, he said, and gave me a brief hug. “I think it’s better if we check on Alani, she might need some help with the cooking.”

“Alani? Are you joking?”, I said laughing. “She’s a master chef. I think she would get a nervous breakdown if she saw me in the kitchen while she’s “creating”, as she would call cooking.”

“I see… well, in that case I think we have some time, so you can tell me what you’ve been up to in the past year”, Gussie said, leaning back on the couch.

“Where should I start, I wonder…” We ended up talking for about an hour, discussing Chinese culture, food, my adventures in the caves. I briefly mentioned Liang, but avoided the intimate angle. It’s something I don’t even think about anymore, the memories fading so quickly, almost like it never happened.

By the time the guests arrived there was baked fish and potatoes, salad, and a lovely pie waiting for us. We all sat down to eat. Everyone was in a good mood, even Gracie seemed to accept the presence of Gussie.

Some drinks and music seemed to lighten the mood even more and we soon started dancing. Alani showed off her skill with the guitar. She’s been taking lessons from Honey for a while now. I must say, she’s pretty good.

It all went downhill when I called everyone to open the presents.

While my friends were opening boxes and ripping wrapping papers, I stepped away for a minute to get another drink. I heard Honey laughing at the sweater she got from someone, it apparently looked just like the one Quincy has, then there was a slight pause, followed by Gracie’s shrill voice.

“How could you? You are disgusting.”

My first thought was that my dog vomited on her shoes. Clearly what waited me in the living room has not even crossed my mind. As I ran back I found a sobbing Gracie standing next to the pile of presents. Alani and Honey were surrounding Gussie in a rather hostile manner, throwing questions like “What the hell have you done to her?”, and “You should just leave!”, while he just stood there completely dumbfounded.

“Gracie, what happened?”, I ran up to my friend.

“He… he… “, she couldn’t finish it, just kept sobbing and pointing her finger at Gussie. It was ludicrous.

“Gussie?”, I turned to him, pleading.

“I think it’s better if I just leave now.”, he said as he walked past us. He looked a bit pale. “I’ll call you.”

I tried to find out what was going on, but Gracie refused to tell me what was in the box. Honey and Alani confessed that they also had no clue, but when Gracie started screaming at Gussie they assumed it was him and his gift that upset our friend. Great.

After Gracie calmed down a bit I suggested Benni drives her home as they live quite near each other.

“Where’s Benni?”, I looked around. Everyone looked at each other.

“I think she left before we started opening our gifts…”, Quincy said, shrugging his shoulders. “I’ll take Gracie home, don’t worry, love.”

So now I’m just sitting here, and I don’t understand anything. I should call Gussie to see if he’s all right.