The Event

"Hey, Tig, I need the lighting adjusted." I said into my radio. "Rene, there are still six centerpieces missing from tables 24-30!"
"I'm on it." Rene, the catering manager, was always calm. Sometimes she annoyed me.
I had enlisted Eliana to help me tonight, and I flagged her down as she passed by, carrying an armload of brochures. "I need a drink."
Eliana shook her head. "Wait until the dinner is underway."
"Drink!" I called after her. I took a deep breath, put a finger to my twitching eye, and made my way to the entry to greet Heather Carrington. "Good evening, Mrs. Carrington."
"Good evening, darling girl, the place looks beautiful!" Heather trilled, snagging a flute of champagne off a passing tray.
"May I show you to your seat, Mrs. Carrington?" Holden asked, taking her arm and winking at me. I smile back and sagged against the wall. My feet were killing me already.
"Hey!' Ross barked, coming around the corner. "There are people at the door. Where's the registration?"
"There are invitation checkers standing by, Ross." I said, trying to control my temper that was threatening to spiral out of control. "Just let me know and I'll give them the high sign."
"Now." He said abruptly.
"Monica, cue the band. Eliana, prepare checkers. Rene, you ready?"
"Ready."
"Doors open."
I grabbed a glass of champagne from one of the waiters. "Keep it coming," I whispered.
I made my rounds about the room, checking on things as hors d'ouvres and champagne were passed. The ballroom was ready, glittering with crystals and candles illuminating centerpieces I wanted to freeze somehow until I got married. It was spectacular. The CFJJ multimedia presentation, which Monica and I had spent literally hundreds of hours on, was in the control room above the room, ready to invoke plenty of emotions that would ensure millions of dollars raised, to go to after-school programs, art and music therapy for children with incarcerated parents, and more. People were milling about all around me, talking and laughing and exclaiming over the exhibits that kids had made and I had painstakingly displayed all over the room.
"Excuse me, ma'am?"
I almost choked on my champagne as I turned around to see Simon Turner, the representative from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service. "Yes?"
"Monica Hadley sent me over to speak to you, she said you were the event planner for the evening."
"Yes, sir."
"From Moxie?"
"Yes."
"It looks great in here." Simon said. "The exhibit was a nice touch. Was that your idea or Heather's?"
"It was a collaborative effort."
"Well done." He clinked his champagne glass with mine and left. I almost passed out.
Three and half hours later, everyone had danced, eaten, drank, and written what I hoped were generous donations. The multimedia presentation had been perfect, there wasn't a dry eye in the house when the lights went on. I had only one complaint about seating, only 7 people showed up without reservations, and I had six glasses of champagne--and two mushroom puffs. I was bordering on tipsy--but not as tipsy as Heather Carrington, who was so drunk that Holden was practically carrying her to her car.
"Darling girl, you did magnificent!" She slurred. "We raised almost 13 million dollars tonight."
"New record." Holden added, passing Heather over to her driver. "Great job."
"Thanks, you too!" My head was spinning, and I don't think it was just from the champagne.
Ross was waiting for his car with Joe.
"A perfect evening." He said with a smile. "Really."
"Really?"
"Really." He confirmed.
I looked at Eliana. She grinned. "Party time?"
"Even better," I replied. "Nap time."