The dirty white minivan.

She felt her middle age around them. They were younger, of course, but they might not realize that. Right?  As they stood in a little group at the party, tinkling conversation bouncing off their tight knit circle, she started to catch glimpses of something moving out of the corner of her eye. Like a horror movie she could sense something was there but not quite see it. Laughing a little bit louder, she took a sip of her drink. There it was again, taunting her? Heart beat quickening, was she sure? Maybe, no, just paranoid, but then, there…Look! Do you see now, no denying it any longer. Her mouth dry, partially opened, breath shortening, the shrieking violin notes tighter, faster, until suddenly there was no more hiding from it.

“Beep! Beep! Jump in before the sliding doors shut,” mocked the dirty white minivan, letting them all know who, she knew, she really was. Brushing her bangs down with her hand, a quick short smile, she excused herself to go and find the cheese platter.