Christmas Rush

I was late. Why must I be late for my meeting with the top Christmas house decorator? Not to even remind myself that this is the one that I have reserved two years prior so I can finally get the award for the best Christmas decoration on a house this year. It also doesn’t help that I live in Dyker Heights where all my surrounding houses create breathtaking displays of lights and arrangements.

I remember last year, one of the houses became a total walk in wonderland of fake snow and frosty the snowman singing and dancing around the front yard. Another house had a theme of the grinch and had green fairy lights all over the trees, fence, and windows.

I love how everyone is just so festive and then there is me, the only ordinary house on the block. I just line white lights around my windows and frames with little light-up reindeer guarding the door.

I groaned as I throw on my jacket and shoes, making sure that I put the most important thing in my pocket. I grabbed my car keys from the hook and ran into the garage. I shoved the keys in the hole and pulled out the car, making my way onto the highway.

I was impatiently tapping on the steering wheel and my heart was pounding thinking about how much of an idiot I am. How could I let myself sleep in late the one day I shouldn’t be.

My work is very hectic and forces me to incorporate day in and day out to it. Being a surgeon isn’t easy work, but at least it is exciting. But no level of excitement will forgive the fact that I have become accustomed to waking up any time of the day and night.

But of course today I had to wake up at 10, and my long-awaited appointment was at 11. Out of all the places the meeting could be in, of course, it had to be in the city which is in theory only 30 minutes away. The problem with that though is that this New York City I remind you, there is no possible way that there will be no traffic on the highway.

I drove out of the neighborhood trying to stay collected while driving and decided to play some Christmas music to help me with that. Getting into the Christmas spirit right? Because right now I was starting to act like the Grinch, and the grinch is not a good look to have this time of year.

Oh, and did I mention that I was wearing a green button-up shirt today, maybe not my best option but I grabbed the first professional shirt I saw.

Once I got on the highway there was so much, let me say that louder, sooo much traffic.

I banged the wheel in frustration as I glanced at the sign that read 10:14. “I am going to lose my mind the one day I should be happy.” I said to myself, as Mariah Carey was singing “All I want for Christmas is you” was playing in the background.

“This isn’t the time, come on Christian, think of something. Think of something.” I said looking around the highway hoping a Christmas miracle will pop up like I am in some kind of Christmas movie.

And there it was a van with reindeer ears and a red nose making its way through the traffic on a different route from all the others. I watch it and I had a great idea. The reindeer car was going towards the Hugh Carey Tunnel, whereas everyone was going into the Gowanus expressway.

I evil laughed as I cut out the excruciating line for cars that left huge gaps between the car in front of them, letting other cars cut in front of them. And I couldn't help but dance my way into the tunnel as Mariah hit a high note. I made a terrible attempt in doing so, but happy nonetheless.

I rolled into the tunnel and saw a few cars splitting into two lines and I quickly picked on. It was smooth sailing right now, all the cars were going as fast as they could within a small tunnel with only a good 5 feet to work in each lane. Then, disaster struck as the cars ahead of me started to slow down more and more. They eventually came to a halt and the tunnel was jammed and to make matters worse, it was the area where radio signals were unstable making it static.

The clock said 10:39 and I couldn’t stand it I was honestly ready to go crazy. Luckily for both me and the drivers around me, the line started to move. My fellow drivers and I got out of the tunnel safe and sound. When I saw the light it felt like ages, I was almost blinded by the sun suddenly shining in my face.

I turned right and traveled up West Ave, and lucky little me was hitting every...single...light possible.

“You know what Christian, how about you just give up and stop worrying about the time I arrive? The time I arrive is the time I arrive.” I said to myself looking at all the people jogging and riding their bikes.

I leaned back in my seat and just enjoyed “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas” song. I took in all the view of the Hudson River and all the crazy people actually jet-skiing in this frigid weather.

I never noticed that I had breezed through the traffic and managed to finally make it to the building. I pulled up my sleeve and looked down at my watch as it read 11:02. I sighed and went up to the receptionist, “I am here for an appointment with a Christmas decorator.”

She looked up at me with a bright smile, “What time is that appointment?” she asked me.

“11 o’clock appointment,” I said cracking the nap of my neck in shame.

He nodded and typed away with lightning speed on her computer, “Oh with Mr. Mason.” she asked for confirmation.

I nodded, “Yes”

She typed something else on the computer and let me tell you I would not be surprised if she was a hacker with how fast she types. She nodded and looked at me with a smile, “He will come in a little late since he got stuck in traffic but, you are welcomed to wait in the waiting room. I will inform you once he has arrived here.” she said gesturing to the room.

I nodded and made my way there, and once I sat down I instantly started to celebrate, “It really is a Christmas miracle.” I said jumping up and down and fist-pumping the air.

As I was celebrating though, the door of the waiting room opened and a man in a suit made eye contact with me. It was awkward, to say the least. I saw I still had my fist in the air. I cleared my throat and stood up straight, dusting off my coat and with a red face asked, “Um you must be…”

He nodded, “Mr. Mason yes. And you are Christian Himura. Correct???” he asked me with a straight face. That straight face though was making me even more embarrassed about my first impression.

“Um yes, I am,” I said trying to act professional and that little episode never happened.

He nodded to himself as he left the room saying behind him, “Come on, let's go to my office. You must have been waiting for a while and got tired of waiting.”

“Haha, it's ok,” I said rubbing the nap of my neck.

He leads the way into the elevator and pressed the 24 button. The door closed and the soothing elevator music awkwardly played in the silent enclosed space. I was about to start a conversation but the door opened, wow this elevator is so fast. I must take note of that new renovation in the hospital.

He made his way down an extensive hallway until he stopped at the end of it and opened up a big glass door. I was in awe at how amazing this office was. But I had to pretend that I wasn’t as amazed as I was and looked as Mr. Mason looked behind me confused.

I nervously smiled.

Once I sat on the chair as Mr. Mason made his way around his desk and pulled out a planners binder. “So by any chance do you have something you were envisioning your house to look like for the decoration.”

I nodded, “Um, yes sir I do. I have… it right..over here.” I said digging in an empty pocket. I looked up at him and nervously laughed. “Hold on a second.”

I took off my jacket, digging my hands into all my pocket desperately. Nothing. Nothing was in any of my pockets.

I panicked, “Where in the world was my most important thing, my very detailed layout of what I wanted my house to be themed as.” I said to myself in my head.

I was defeated as I looked at Mr. Mason, who was patiently waiting for me to show the design.

I twirled my fingers in a circular motion and said, “I just had it. I promise.”

He looked at me skeptically and I couldn’t help but say in a louder tone, “ It was just here!”

Mr. Mason laughed at my panicked state. “Calm down Mr. Himura, I knew you didn’t have it. Since I happen to pick it up in front of the reception desk.”

My face turned so red that I could just imagine that I looked like a baboons butt. I didn’t say anything but the designer handed me the paper and I slowly grabbed it and looked down in total defeat.

“I guess today is just not my day.” I half-heartedly laughed at myself.

“Don’t worry about it. But I did take a little sneak peek in your design and I loved it so much. I believe I should be able to start to work in about three days from now. Just look over the note I put once you leave. Here is my card, please contact me if you have any more questions.” he explained professionally.

Mr. Mason said getting up from his seat and held his hand out, I took it and smiled at him as he winked at me and I was sent out of his office.

I went to the car looking at my meter ticket and saw I had a few minutes to spare. I looked over to my sheet and thought I should open it up right now when I have time.

I opened the note he had given me and couldn’t help but laughed at it as it simply said, “I hope we can have another little adventure on the highway, trying to get to the same meeting at the same time.”