New Year's Eve – Season 7
As the clock inched toward midnight, the rooftop terrace of the Casablanca Hotel at 43rd and Times Square grew increasingly crowded as guests jockeyed for position to watch the iconic ball make it descent from the top of One Times Square. The braziers that were placed strategically around the perimeter kept the worst of the frigid air at bay, though the temperature was still hovering near freezing. From their spot near the back, Tony and Angela watched Mona, Sam, and Jonathan weave through the crowd toward the front to enjoy an unobstructed view of the festivities far below, where hundreds of thousands of people waited for the clock to strike midnight. On the tv in the corner, the iconic and seemingly ageless Dick Clark talked with a parade of celebrities and performers as he hosted his eponymous Rockin' Eve from somewhere amid the pandemonium below.
Tony leaned over and shouted to Angela, "Your job sure does have its perks."
Angela smiled back and replied humbly, "I had generous client."
"A grateful client," he amended, affording her all due credit for securing results that warranted nothing less than an invitation to watch the ball drop from one of the most enviable spots in the city. The whole family had jumped at the chance to be so close to the action, including Mona, who had foregone a black tie affair at the country club. And even the allure of a frat party on campus to ring in the new year couldn't tempt Sam away from an offer to be at the heart of the celebration, while Jonathan was wide-eyed with excitement as he forgot he was supposed to be a disaffected teenager.
So, they had all accepted the offer from the hotel's owner, and Angela's client, to stay in one of the suites and watch the ball drop from the rooftop terrace with a very exclusive group of guests.
When Angela motioned her head toward the door, Tony nodded and followed her inside the banquet room where drinks and hors d'oeuvres were available. The room was empty as they stood on either side of a high-top table near the windows with a perfect view of the ball tower outside.
"You cold?" he asked, taking in her black pants, knee-high boots, and red poncho wrap with its cowl neck.
"Not really, just a little overwhelmed by the noise and lights. I guess I've gotten used to our usual quiet celebrations at home," she said wistfully.
He could hardly blame her. The roar from the street was deafening, in addition to the music that blared its way up from the stage. Was that Bon Jovi performing now? But from their spot inside, everything faded to a soft hum, and they could speak without yelling to be heard. Like her, he also couldn't help but miss the traditional New Year's Eve routines they had established over the years, some of which had admittedly run their course as the kids had aged and chosen to spend the night with their friends. As incredible as their current vantage point was, a part of him longed for the early years when Sam and Jonathan struggled to stay up until midnight and had inevitably fallen asleep on the couch between them. Tony and Angela had watched old movies and shared their own childhood memories until it was time to wake up the kids to see the ball drop on the tv. The last two years, it had just been the two of them staying in and enjoying an assortment of finger foods and pizza even as both received invitations for parties ranging from Brooklyn dive bars to Connecticut country clubs. Even as the kids moved on to celebrations with friends, Tony and Angela kept their humble traditions.
Except this year, which was both a blessing and curse. Although the kids and Mona fully embraced their VIP status, Angela was all too aware that the invitation to the Casablanca had kept her from having to decide whether she was ready to spend a quiet New Year's Eve at home with Tony. Their night at the Starlight Ballroom a month or so earlier had begun the process of repairing the cracks in the foundation of their relationship, but Angela knew she still needed time to move past the events that had led to them seeing other people over much of the past seven months.
Sensing — and sharing — her sense of nostalgia, Tony ventured to ask the question that came up every year and led to many a plan and promise about personal goals and professional aspirations.
"So, any new year's resolutions?" he inquired tentatively.
Angela inhaled deeply as she pondered her answer. The past year had certainly had its ups and downs, with both the highs and lows coming courtesy of the man standing across from her. Since she wasn't sure what that those mixed feelings might portend for 1991, she decided to take a diplomatic route. "I just want to have the grace and courage to accept whatever the universe might throw at me."
Tony assured her solemnly, "You have grace and courage in spades." There was a mix of guilt and earnestness in his eyes that left little doubt he knew the degree to which she'd had to draw on those qualities in the past year. When she dropped her gaze to the napkin she was twisting around her finger, he continued, "Listen, Angela, I know I blindsided you last summer with Kathleen, and maybe now's not the best time, but I don't want to leave 1990 without telling you I'm sorry."
Undoubtedly, a New Year's Eve party at the top of the Casablanca Hotel wasn't optimal for such a heart-wrenching apology, but he felt better for having said it. And as her face softened and she met his eyes once again, he knew for certain that hearing the words mattered to her.
Distantly, he became aware that the din from outside had become a chant as the crowd had begun counting down to midnight.
"EIGHT … SEVEN ..."
With a peaceful smile, Angela took his hand and walked toward the door to the terrace.
"SIX … FIVE ... FOUR"
They stepped outside.
"THREE ..."
The icy air hit them as their eyes turned toward the massive, sparking ball that was descending toward its destination.
"TWO ..."
They looked back at each other.
"ONE."
The huge 1991 sign lit up the sky as the crowd on the roof and in the streets below erupted with cheers of "Happy New Year." The opening notes of Auld Lang Syne could be heard from the tv and in the air itself as confetti poured from the sky. But Tony and Angela, like so many other couples at that moment in the Eastern Time Zone, had eyes only for each other.
Who moved first, neither knew, but the distance between them grew smaller until their lips met ever so softly amid the ongoing celebration. They lingered, savored, and parted all in a matter of heartbeats.
"Happy new year, Angela. I hope 1991 is a good one."
"I have a feeling it will be," she replied, with more conviction than she'd felt in a long time.
Even as their family plowed into them with hugs and well wishes, Tony and Angela kept their eyes locked, both thinking of what the year ahead might bring.