—Almost, Someday

“No? The one time I try to buy someone a drink,” she joked. “That’s good, we need to have some sober people around, I don’t think I’m going to drink that much anyway.”

**

“Raincheck,” she sighed, thinking it would be many months yet until she could take her up on it. It seemed fitting that she would run into Kaya here - she seemed to take to motherhood effortlessly, and doing it on her own. Ginny only hoped she could show a modicum of the grace the older woman had. “Where’s Willow tonight?”  

“Done and done!” Lainey grinned, bouncing on the balls of her feet, slipping towards the front of the bar line, ordering two drinks. Returning to the other’s side, Lainey handed over one of the glasses to Ginny, careful about which one. “That’s diet and this,” She grinned at her own glass. “Is regular. I’m a traditionalist.” The brunette chuckled, winking at Ginny.

**

Ginny knew she’d made the right choice coming out with Lainey - they never failed to make her feel better. They were like a shot of sunshine, and she could already feel some of the tension releasing from her shoulders. It was enough to make her oddly emotional, and she found herself blinking back tears as she accepted the glass. “Thank you,” she said again. “You’re too good to me.” 

Lucy had ordered herself a whiskey sour, and Ginny a beer. She had decided to meet Ginny at Dense Macabre because the woman needed a drink. She was going to swear off alcohol for a while but clearly it wasn’t working. Pursing her lips together for a moment, Lucy looked at Ginny but held her glass in her hand “Smart move. Teach me your ways.”

**

“Not sure it can exactly be classified as ‘smart’ and I doubt I’d be a good teacher,” Ginny replied grimly, thinking in her own miserable way that she probably hadn’t made a smart decision since she was 16. She wasn’t trying to bring the mood down, but with everything... well, sometimes it was hard trying. She made a valiant attempt anyway, plastering a smile on her face. “You should let loose, though. I’m DD...” 

“Oh, are you sure?” Myra glanced at the other, thinking again that their costume was so much more comfortable than this yellow tulle gown that she was dressed in herself. “I mean they have these really great drinks–what am I doing? I hate when other people try to force me into something so, we’ll start over?” She cleared her throat. “I’m Myra, and I sometimes lack tact–so is there any particular reason why you’re not indulging tonight?”

**

Ginny hadn’t yet fully escaped her own blinding panic at the news, so the idea of telling someone else the news of her pregnancy wasn’t even a consideration - no matter how much it weighed to carry alone. She was grateful though that the woman didn’t push her the way some others might have, and she felt a little bad for the lie that slipped easily from her lips. “I’m designated driver. My friend tends to go a little overboard, so someone has to keep their wits about them... I’m used to it by now.” It wasn’t even technically a lie - someone needed to keep Riley in check... 

“Then this is for me.” Cassie smiled taking a sip of the drink. “Did you want me to get you something else?” She asked. Shoving her phone into her pocket. 

**

“Nah, I’m good,” she smiled gratefully. “I’m sticking with water. Saving some money.” Finances were enough of a worry with her husband gone before added a potential baby to the equation. She knew she could ask Henry if it came down to it, but she hated the idea. “Are you having a good time? They definitely nailed the spooky Halloween vibes here...” 

“Oh come on,” Hyunmin replied with exasperation, rolling his eyes, but a small smirk was playing at the corner of his mouth. “It’s a party. Just have one,” he insisted, holding out the drink that he’d already ordered for her. If he had to drink them both, he absolutely would, but he’d rather not walk around with a drink in each hand all night. 

** 

She appreciated the thought - with everything that had happened lately, no doubt she needed a night to unwind. But the universe had never been that kind, and now drinking was impossible. “I’m good, really. I’ll hold one for you, but they’re all yours.” 

“Hey! When I said ‘get a drink’, it didn’t mean it had to be alcoholic.” Lainey quickly added, head shaking. “They have some killer mocktails, I think. But if you want juice, or something with some carbonation, those are all good too.” 

**

It was still too early for her to explain the reality of her situation, and she wasn’t sure she could handle any more pity right now - much less congratulations - so she was thankful that Lainey took the answer at face value. “Y’know what, a Diet Coke sounds great, thank you,” she said, feeling a sudden rush of affection for them. 

“No thanks, I’m actually not drinking tonight...” 

Ginny Carson - Halloween 2021 Cat 

Name: Ginny Carson-Davis Age: 26 Gender/Pronouns: Cis Woman / She/Her Occupation: Receptionist at Shady Hills Retirement Center  Relationship Status: Widows   Traits: accommodating, compassionate, artistic, passive, uncommunicative, bitter   Nicknames: Gin, Virginia (only when she’s in trouble)