New Year's Decree - by John Wolf
He never takes chances,
always rushes time,
never sees other's glances,
fate's rapture sublime.
-
John Wolf
“This year I party like there’s no tomorrow. I just bought a ticket for the Stafford Hotel bash,” I said to my brother proudly. He lives in Cleveland and I live in New York, but our weekly phone calls keep us connected.
“You never go anywhere. What’s the big deal with a New Years celebration this year?” Donald said.
“I’m fifty now and every year seems like a threat. If they’re gonna keep coming, I might as well start celebrating them.”
“Are you going to take anyone? That would be something to celebrate.” Donald was being smug about my lack of prowess with the ladies.
“Maybe. I really don’t think so. I would have to meet someone first.” It felt like a lance just entered my side.
“When are you going to get out of the office before midnight and start meeting people? The women must think you are Dracula and can’t be seen in the light of day.”
“Look, maybe I have become a vampire. I get out. One has to buy groceries don’t they?” I know I sounded defensive.
“David, everyone knows you’ve busted your chops to make the business work. You got your big promotion. Like you said, ‘you’re not getting any younger...’”
“You’re just jealous. I’m gonna out this year and you’re stuck with the kids.”
“Ouch, you’re right. Maybe Jan and I will do New Years again in about fifteen years.”
“I have to go now, but hey, I will let you know how it went. I’ll call next week with all the details and what she looked like.”
“Right. Good luck with the big night out. I hope we recognize you afterward. Don’t do anything stupid. Those parties can leave permanent scars.” Donald said.
I know he snickered.
“Well, anything could happen. Later.” I felt pretty good after the call and set out to buy a bow tie for my penguin suit.
The hotel lobby was stunning. The green and red of Christmas was packed away and the silver and gold of New Years was never more creatively done. No wonder the ticket was seventy bucks. This better be worth it, I said under my breath.
As it turned out, I had a good time, I think. I was pretty plastered. I even danced with a couple of ladies. They seemed to enjoy it. I had one of their phone numbers in my jacket pocket. Midnight clattered in and was a blur of lights and confetti. I spent the night in the hotel.
When I woke up by noon, I think. I had cotton mouth and the view in the mirror told me I must have had a good time. I decided that bed looked pretty good and took a dive back into it. That evening I went by Billy’s, a place where I’ve eaten for fifteen years. I walked in and didn’t recognize the place. It could swear Billy bought his old furniture back. The place looked like it did a year ago. I ate and got back to my flat and started to drop my keys in the fancy tray Don’s wife gave me for Christmas that I decided to use to keep from losing them, and it wasn’t there. It had assorted nuts in it at Christmas. Maybe I just planned to use it and hadn’t finished off the goodies yet – I don’t know. After last night, or was it the night before... Anyway, it’s 2008 now.
I got to the Kress Building, up to the tenth floor, and proceeded to my new office. I was ready to get down to business. I walked in and Jessie was sitting there. What’s going on? Jessie left the company a year and ago when I took over the department. Was this a cruel joke?
“Hi David. Happy New Year. Here is the new account we have to polish this year. We do this one right and I can retire.” Jessie handed me the folder.
“Jessie, I thought you did retire. You gave me this folder last year. It’s was Wilson Baker account right?”
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“Very funny. You know we’ve been trying to land that account for a decade, now get out there and set it up. It’s yours now.” Jessie got a phone call and I wandered back into the bullpen dazed. I walked over to my old office and looked in. All my stuff was there. I looked around in amazement. Was this a dream? Didn’t I just go to a 2008 New Year’s party? I walked into the office and looked at the calendar, scribbled with my handwriting – 2006. The calendar for the new year was laying on the desk - 2007.
Lidia came in with the mail that had piled up over the holiday. “Hi handsome. I like the graying sideburns. You’ve gained a year of sophistication over the break.”
I looked up and noticed for the first time that Lidia was quite a pretty lady. “New outfit?” I said. She could tell I was staring.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise. You never mentioned my look before. Yes, it is. I bought it with you in mind. She winked and left the mail on the desk and strolled out.
I picked up the first envelope. It was dated December, 2006. I sat down hard. What the hell was going on? How could I have missed a whole year? I know how 2007 is going to play out. I’ve lived it already. I’m not nuts – or am I.
I never did figure out what happened. Maybe it was decreed, but 2007 was the best year of my life. I knew where the account was going. It was a piece of cake to complete the advertising and keep Wilson Baker happy. I knew what was coming. Lidia and I began to date. She really was a dream. We didn’t tell anyone, but we planned to get married New Year’s eve.
That Christmas, Donald’s wife, Jan, gave me a nifty tray of fancy nuts for Christmas. Lidia and I ate them all; especially the chocolate covered ones, by the end of the week. We were in love and made plans to celebrate by getting married in the afternoon and spending New Year’s at the Stafford Hotel. That would be a first for me, both the marriage and getting out on New Year’s. I called Donald. “I have great news to tell you.”
“Don’t tell me you went out for New Year’s Eve.”
“I partied like there was no tomorrow at the Stafford Hotel.”
“Didn’t you go there last year?”
“Nope. But this year I had a date.”
“Get outta here.”
“...and things got serious. We got married.” I wish I could have been in Cleveland to see his jaw drop.
“No kidding. Who to . . . Lidia?” Donald said knowingly.
“Wow, I was suppose to surprise you – yes. She’s wonderful. I don’t know why I didn’t notice her a long time ago. We’ve been dating for a year.”
“She’s been hoping the same thing. We knew for a while she was really serious about you. That’s great bro. I know you’re going to be happy.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I did. You never took the time to listen. Hey, I have kids to pick up. Talk to you next weekend. Bye”
I put the phone down and gave Lidia a kiss. “I have to get out of this penguin suit. Be back in a minute. I walked into the bed room, thrust my hand in the pocket, and came up with a card. It had the name Janice on it and a phone number underneath.
John Wolf
Author, Poet, and Musician. What does the New Year hold for you?
