Understand

“Happy New Year,” a woman with Bambi eyes and a short, sparkly, red dress greets Aida as he lifts her glass for a refill of the only drink available, what looks like watered-down red Kool-Aid and doesn’t taste much better. 

Aida tries to smile but it comes out as more of a smirk as she starts to shuffle away. The woman leans forward, “I mean almost Happy New Year, obviously, it’s not New Year yet.” She gives a nervous little snort, covers her mouth, and pretends to be focused on the next person in line for punch.

Aida nurses her punch as she looks at the enormous countdown clock above the stage. No, it’s only 11:45? She had some at 11:40 in order to not seem anti-social, but how was she going to live through the next 15 minutes when within the last 5 minutes she had said hello to everyone she had known, one person, and already drunk a generous glass of, what was it? Some sort of mixture of vodka maybe and something like cranberry juice? It didn’t go down easy like Bambi girl had promised. Not at all. 

Aida swirls the liquid in her glass. It makes her feel dizzy. Maybe she needs to sit down. She knew she was a light-weight but, surely, not this light, right? Aida perches on a nearby stool and places her glass on a tall table with a gold vase in the middle containing various selfie props. 

Why was she even here? Wouldn’t it have been so much more comfortable to ring in the New Year on her couch at home with a glass of something she actually enjoyed drinking like Moscato? 

She could still hear his voice in her head, “You like Moscato? Why not just drink fruit juice?”

Yep. Next year will be a year of fruit juice thank you very much, and certainly no need for his condescension anymore. That means no kiss at midnight though. Aida shakes her head. Who needs a kiss when you have vodka? She looks at her glass as it sits by itself, bending the light from the thousands of candles around the room as it makes a dancing red pattern on the white tablecloth.

“Hello,” a bright voice pierces Aida’s reverie. Aida raises her eyes and attempts her best cold stare, but then, she recognizes the Bambi woman who is almost bouncing in her seat. She reaches out her hand.

“I’m Beatrice, but please don’t call me that. All my friends call me B,” B takes Aida’s hand and vigorously shakes it. 

“I wonder why,” Aida mutters as she pulls back her hand and knocks over her drink with her elbow.

“What, oh, here,” B hands Aida some napkins from the table next to them as she giggles.

Aida focuses on the table and napkins. Maybe if she just ignored B, she would go away?

“So, I noticed you’re alone tonight,” B starts.

Aida nods. Probably not for the same reason as B.

“Me too. This was always my husband’s favorite holiday. He said it was because he got to kiss me, but I think it was because he just really loved vodka,” B plays with her hair, “Not to say he was an alcoholic, I mean he did like to drink sometimes.”

Aida nods as B plays with the props in the vase.

“So, why are you here alone?” B plays with the napkins, “I mean. Wow, that was insensitive. Sorry, this is my first New Year’s…” B takes a napkin and dabs under her eye, making her look even more like a raccoon.

Aida laughs as she puts down the napkins, “No worries, B.”

“I just, he was my rock you know? I don’t. Sorry, I was trying to come over to give you company not have a pity party,” B sniffs.

Aida puts her hand on B’s, “It’s okay. I was having a pity party of my own. Want to join?”

B smiles and snorts, “I guess so. What’s up with you?”

Aida twists the wet napkins in her hands, “Well, now it doesn’t seem as important.”

“Of course it’s important. Besides, I need to hear something other than: ‘I’m sorry for your loss.’ ‘He’s in a better place.’ ‘He was a great man.’,” B bangs her fist on the table, “I know all of that. I just want him back, and there’s nothing wrong with that! I don’t have to be finding joy every second. I mean, this SUCKS,” B jerks a pair of large, neon pink glasses from the vase and shoves them on her face as she snatches the SINGLE sign from the vase with her other hand.

Aida laughs and reaches for matching glasses in neon green takes the AND READY TO MINGLE sign, “Shall we get a selfie?”

“Of course, how else will we remember this terrible night?” B hooks her arm in Aida’s as they make their way toward the photo booth.

They make the obligatory duck faces, shocked faces, serious faces, and silly faces. As the pictures print it is obvious these women understand each other.

“I will treasure these forever,” Aida clutches the pictures to her chest as she hugs them and smirks.

“Of course, I mean, who wouldn’t?” B smiles and gestures with her pictures.

“Dance?” Aida asks as she points toward the packed dance floor. B nods as Aida drags her to the floor.

“On one condition,” B yells as she pulls away from Aida, “I get to crowd surf.”

Aida lets go of B’s arm as B runs toward the stage.

“Happy New Year,” B yells as she jumps from the stage. The crowd carries her toward the back, and she steps down next to Aida. 

“You should try it. It’s like flying,” B glows.

“Yeah, never really enjoyed the idea of people I don’t know touching me,” Aida winces.

B grins and starts to poke Aida, “You don’t know me, and I’m touching you!”

Aida brushes her off, “You know what I mean.”

B pulls away with her arms up in surrender.

The crowd starts to chant, “10.”

B and Aida smile at each other, “9.”

The crowd continues to count down as B starts to cry, “8.”

“You are not alone,” Aida whispers in B’s ear as they chant, “7.”

B pulls away and looks at Aida, “You never told me what you were sad about.” 6

Aida smiles, “An ending.” 5

B nods and swipes at her eyes. 4

“I guess it’s always kind of sad this time of year,” B says. 3

“Yes, but maybe endings just make way for new beginnings,” Aida hugs B’s shoulder. 2

“I’m glad you understand,” B and Aida say together and laugh. 1

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!”