Lucy's loft apartment was located on a narrow street in New Haven that felt more like Paris than New York, the bare trees glittering with snow and ice under the street lamps. It was not the largest place in the world, with kitchen and living room flowing right into the bedroom, so it made sense that the party was smallish. The walls of the apartment were mostly brick, covered in art, with the street-facing wall almost entirely large windows sporting views of the city. The only closed door led to the bathroom.
It was decorated in twinkling white lights with a real Christmas tree in the corner of the living room area beside the fireplace. The tree was tastefully decorated in pretty (but impersonal) ornaments with a mostly gold and cream theme with the occasional pop of red. Mistletoe hung overhead to one side of the room near one of the windows. Extra seating had been added to the always present couch and armchair with large pillows on the floor in front of the fire in case people wanted to get comfortable there.
No formal seating was set for dinner, the buffet served on the small dining table by Martta and Lucy at around 8PM. There was seating at the kitchen counter where three high-top stools stood, as well as a couple seats at the desk by the window, but those who might be braver would likely have to use their laps, or sit on the floor to use the coffee table for their meal.
Although Martta was essential to the party arrangements, she was there with her husband, Pietr, as a guest, and Lucy regularly encouraged the two of them to enjoy themselves as members of the party. They were both older in appearance than most of the invitees, but they were good-natured, proudly telling anyone who would listen about their five grown children. Pietr kept slipping outside now and again to enjoy a few puffs on his pipe since Lucy had asked everyone to keep the smoking outside. Lucy's still nameless kitten was there, probably annoyed by everyone sitting in her favorite spots, while also enjoying their attentions.
Other than the serving of dinner and dessert (which was set out around 9PM) the evening was entirely unstructured, though Lucy was hoping people might be open to some party games or singing at some part of the evening!
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Originally posted on Fri Dec 18, 2015
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