Her mom helped her get ready for her first New Year's Eve dance. Frantic, the young lady feared her dress wouldn't fit, but her mom assured her it hadn't shrunk overnight. Her big sister did her hair just the way she saw it in a magazine, like that famous movie star. The young woman thought about how elegant she looked as she did her makeup, starting over several times. Then her dad appeared at the door and silently looked at his baby girl, now all grown up. He whistled that cat call—you know the one—getting her to turn around and smile at him and shooing him away until she was ready to be seen.
The sound of the doorbell announced her boyfriend's arrival as Dad opened the door to a scared kid looking like he might pass out. He was wearing a tuxedo that didn't quite fit, but that was okay, her dad thought to himself. The young man reached out to shake her dad's hand, who stubbornly squeezed a bit too strongly, letting the kid know in no uncertain terms that he was going to have her back home by two am or else.
Poor kid, her dad thought to himself as he rekindled memories of his own first New Year's Eve dance. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, he saw her walking down the stairs. She was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen and pinched himself, making sure she was real. After a bunch of pictures and another stern warning from her dad, the young couple went outside, greeted by a limousine with its driver waiting to open the doors and let them inside.
Our gift to you, Mom said, we were a little worried that his car, held together with tape and paperclips, might not make it through the still icy streets. With shouts of thanks and a hug for her parents, the limo disappeared out of sight, and tears were wiped away. They arrived at their destination in the surprise limo, with a promise of a ride after the dance for a few close friends.
The school gymnasium was so beautiful, she thought to herself. Hundreds of balloons in a net above the dance floor that would be dropped at the clocks announcing the arrival of a new year. There were soft lights in purple and white, and a DJ who knew all the favorite songs. She smiled at the Baker twins, who were spiking the punch from flasks they borrowed from their dad. But got caught by a chaparome who happened to be their science teacher. He made the twins empty the punch bowl and refill it with a festive blend of Hawaiian fruit punch and ginger ale.
They danced the night away, holding each other close, her head resting on his shoulder, her perfume subtle and intoxicating. He did his best not to step on her feet and realized he should have let his Mom give him a few more lessons. But they didn't care too much about anything other than how happy they were. Midnight, the balloons were set free, filling the room with shouts of joy and noise makers. Toasts of fruit punch and tender kisses never to be forgotten.
As the janitor cleaned the room, they got back in the limo with a few close friends, drove around town for a while, then dropped them off at their cars, leaving them alone at last. They kissed as the memories of this night were etched in their minds forever. Promises were made in that limo; some came true while others remained a story to be told to kids and grandkids.
He had her back home at one forty-five, and seeing a light on inside, saw her dad asleep in his favorite chair with an open book on his lap. He walked her to the door and embraced her one last time that night, leaving them with memories that will live on. He turned around to look at her one more time. And he swore he saw her dad open one eye, look at his watch, and smile.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
MIKE —-ALMOST 2026
No comments:
Post a Comment