AFTER CHRISTMAS
By
DimariS
Chapter 1 – Reliving the Day
The day after Christmas found me drinking a cup of eggnog at the dining table in my little apartment. I love eggnog; it's loaded with two of my favorite things: sugar and fat. What's not to love? Peering out the window overlooking the parking lot with its dirty patches of snow, I reflected on yesterday.
For years my standard Christmas revolved around attending Midnight Mass with my family, opening gifts under the tree, watching the "Miracle on 34th Street" with my dad and grandma, and helping my mother and sister make cookies in the kitchen. They won't let me help with anything else since my culinary skills are nonexistent. I can, however, put a serious dent in whatever they make. My eating skills are outstanding!
This year, like every other, I had just enough money to give my parents, my sister, her husband and my nieces little gifts I thought they would enjoy. It wasn't much but I had saved up to get Mom a little bottle of Chanel #5 cologne; Dad a pack of Dutch Masters cigars; my sister Valerie some lilac shower gel; her husband Albert a coffee mug with "Attorneys Are Ace Arguers" painted on the outside; my niece Angie a little book on European cities and, finally, my niece Mary Alice a picture book of horses. MA still thinks she's a horse.
When I opened my presents it was hard to exclaim surprise about the blue sweater from Mom, New York Rangers sweatshirt from Dad, pink flannel nightgown from Valerie, and the box of chocolates from Albert and the girls. Certainly I'm thankful for their gifts and know other people don't even have presents at all; but I really would just like a little surprise. Not much, just something different would be great. Heck, I'd even take a New York Jets t-shirt to break up my wardrobe, such as it is. Geez, I sound like such an ingrate.
It would be so nice to have someone here to drink eggnog with and help me take down my scraggly little Christmas tree. There's Joe Morelli but we always break up around Thanksgiving. I think it's so he doesn't have to buy me a gift. Of course I can always count on him to show up horny a couple of days after the New Year with a pizza. What can I say, it's our "relationship" otherwise known as friends with benefits. He says he loves me and he's a good friend but I don't think I want to make a life with him.
Another man I spend time with is Carlos Manoso otherwise known as Ranger. Okay, I'll admit it, I'm in love with Ranger; but he doesn't do "relationships" so I keep how I feel to myself. Loving him is kinda like loving Jon Bon Jovi; it's great to dream about but you know it isn't going anywhere. He sent me a poinsettia plant or maybe I should say his housekeeper Ella sent me the plant. People who know me well wouldn't waste their money. I can kill a plant just by staring at it and would die of starvation if I had to grow my own food. Today Ranger is probably in Miami visiting with his daughter from a previous marriage; or, now I could be wrong, he's in outer Slobovia directing a coup.
Both men are great looking, sexy and cocky as hell. Joe likes me to spend time at his house, eat Pino's Italian food, watch a game on TV, and have athletic sex. It doesn't matter whether it's pizza or subs, hockey or football, and which position. The most interesting thing is the combination. Ranger, on the other hand, likes to drop in unannounced, make me go running, kiss me stupid, and watch me sleep. He doesn't think I know about that last one but I've caught a glimpse of him sitting in my bedroom chair. Beyond that I haven't a clue what he likes.
Since the day doesn't look too promising and I can't go to Point Pleasant, I might as well work on my New Years resolutions. Wish I could go out for the day but first off it's too damn cold and second Point Pleasant is a pile of rubble thanks to Hurricane Sandy.
Soooooo the resolutions. I usually just make the same ones every year. Why not? I don't keep 'em anyway. Let's see there's lose weight. After all, the only cute clothes come in size 7 or below. Going down three dress sizes ought to be doable, right? Next is learn to make pizza. I spend way too much money at Pino's. Does that count as learning to cook? It will make Mom so proud. Then there's decorate my apartment. People might take me more seriously if I upgrade the dorm room look. Of course I really don't know if anything can be done for my orange-y shit brown bathroom short of demolition. Finally, decide which man is right for me because confusion is tiring and you can't plan worth a damn.
Maybe I should make new ones…some I can keep like take running with Ranger more seriously which would work on the lose weight thing. Or maybe learn to make a healthy meal and pizza. That might help me lose pounds too. Decorating this place shouldn't be too hard if I take one room at a time after all there's only three. I'll start with the bedroom. Ranger might take me more seriously if I make some positive changes. Hmm. Ranger. Guess I made a decision…one down…maybe. Now that I've given myself a headache with all these life changing ideas I think I'll turn in and dream of giving up Tastykakes and Boston Crèmes and birthday cake…
Holiday depression just sucks. At least next Tuesday I can look forward to watching the New Year's Day parades, chowing down on leftovers and sex at the end of the week. Wow!
TBC