The Art of Leaving a Party Early

There is a skill to it,

though no one will teach it to you.

You time your exit

between the second wave of arrivals

and the moment someone suggests a game.

You say goodbye to the host only.

Not the room.

Never the room.

You have a reason prepared:

work tomorrow,

or the vague and powerful “early morning.”

No one questions early mornings.

Outside, the air is different.

Not better — just yours again.

You check your phone.

No one has noticed yet.

This is the sweetest part.

By the time they ask where you went

you are already in bed,

having won something

that has no name yet

but should.