The celebrants started the countdown to midnight, and Dad and Mr. Winkler both moved closer to Mom. They looked like the human equivalent of an Oreo cookie, with both of them pressing against her, lips ready for action. It was anyone’s guess who she’d end up with in the new year.
As for me, my coming year was full of questions too. One thing I knew for sure, I was going to be leaving my judgmental attitude and my grudges in the past.
And then it was midnight and people went into action, blowing noise makers and kissing each other, and yelling, “Happy New Year.”
I went into action too. I grabbed Gabe by the coat lapels and kissed him. And what a lip-lock it was!
“Whoa. Does that mean what I hope it does?” he asked.
“It is a new year,” I said, and he smiled and kissed me.
As we watched the last firework pinwheel sprinkle itself into a shower of golden dust, I envisioned myself moving home and starting an ad agency of my own right here in Carol.
Yeah, it was a big step for me, risky even, but it was the right one. Anyway, I knew I’d have at least one steady customer: Man Haters, Inc.
A Carol Christmas Page 25