The Cocktail Party | 5 Minute Freewrite: Day 1866 - Prompt: shrimp with lemon sauce

Katrina wiped her brow several times. Her attempts to slow the stream of perspiration failed. Her air conditioner in need of repair, was determined. The hot oven, together with ninety degree outdoor weather, combined to elicit a strong curse at agreeing to prepare her special lemon sauce on a moment's notice.

But she promised her brother, Kenneth. And she couldn't refuse him. And he promised his friends and couldn't refuse them. She sighed, thinking about his weakness when pressured, and promised to have a stronger talk later. Then she remembered his personality that she loved.

For the freshest cocktail, she'd blend when they arrived. Combined, their expertise created the Shrimp With Lemon Sauce they were famous for. Not their assessment and labeling of the dish, but their friends.

Thrilled to be finished and out of the smoldering house, Katrina touched base with him. Good, an hour away. His only assignment for the cocktail party was to secure the jumbo shrimp at his favorite local market.

Kenneth's favorite market for Gulf jumbo shrimp was situated on a busy stretch of highway. Waiting at a stop sign, suddenly another car came barreling from behind and flew past him. His heart sank as he saw two other cars approaching in opposite directions. He knew the resulting disaster probably would be fatal as all three cars violently collided into each other.

The deafening crash drowned out the sound of screeching tires. Instantly, one of the cars erupted into a an envelope of thick smoke and displayed signs a fire would be next.

Kenneth, and others who witnessed the accident, stopped then sprang into action to assist the victims. He waited until paramedics, then reported what he witnessed to police.

Two hours later, he returned to his car. Resting for moment, he realized his shirt was dirty and smelled of smoke. Wiping his brow, thoughts of the jumbo shrimp and cocktail party came to mind.

He laughed out loud then decided not to call and worry her with the accident, but continue on to pick up the seafood. The guests could wait. It was the look on his sister's face that was worrisome if he arrived without the main ingredient.

Two blocks from the party, Katrina stopped at a convenience store. Finished with her purchase, she headed toward the party. News of a fatal car accident on the other side of town reduced her to tears. She loathed the way drivers didn't pay attention.

Parking at their friend's party was limited, so she located a suitable spot several houses away. As soon as she stepped from the car, another driver sped past her. He failed to give right of way to a bike rider. She watched as the car clipped the bike, with the rider propelled in the air. She screamed as the boy landed on the sidewalk.

Katrina dropped the lemon sauce and ran to help the teen. In the ensuing chaos, she discovered the boy wasn't seriously harmed. Unfortunately, the driver didn't remain on the scene. She was furious, and remained with him while he contacted his parents.

At that moment Kenneth arrived on the scene. They both remained until the police arrived.

They hugged each other in silence. Then Kenneth replayed his evening while she told of the hit-and-run driver.

He parked, helped her clean up the lemon sauce, then both walked toward the party. Neither was in a mood for celebrating. Already two hours late, they could tell the party was in full swing.

"Finally, you decided to come; and empty-handed! At least you dressed for the occasion, Katrina!" the host chided.

"Well, we're sorry to disappoint, but..." Kenneth began to explain until other friends interrupted, then joined in the heckling.

"You two are so selfish keeping the life-of-the-party appetizer to yourselves, the host continued, laughing loudly."

Kenneth handed the host the freezer-wrapped jumbo shrimp. "A consolation gift."

Brother and sister looked at each other, tilted their heads, and nodded. This was a party. The somber incidents would not be divulged.

Besides, both happening on the same day, at almost the same time, in almost the same manner, with them stopping to assist, would be unbelievable as the reason for them arriving late without the Shrimp with Lemon Sauce.

It's what their parents taught them to do.