RE: A Very Pleasant New Years Eve

As you may have read in previous posts I had planned to be home most of New Years Eve.
Ended up being out for most of the evening; I made it home just a bit after ten.
It was quite a nice time.
After my husband came home to rest after the the day session of church, I decided to run across town to check prices on that Canon Camera. On the way to the bus I stopped in at a local camera shop; it’s a bit pricier than the chain stores, but the sales staff is very knowledgable. The available salesman was nibbling on what looked like a late lunch, and I didn’t want to disturb him.
He told me not to worry; he was nibbling on his co-worker’s lunch. I instantly liked this young fellow – let’s call him Charles.

The price he gave me for the camera was 200 dollars more than the last store. It was also a different color. This is where I learned about the gray market – items that were not really meant to be sold in this country. They are much cheaper, but they do not carry US warranties. No way.

So then Charles asked me what my needs were, and I told him no camera I owned took a night pic that satisfied me.
He immediately pulled out a Fuji model that had everything I needed for around 200 dollars.
The store offers an excellent insurance policy. Usually I would have just bought it on the spot, but I wanted time to think just a bit.
I asked his schedule so I could return, and buy it from him.
There is nothing worse than answering a million questions, having the customer leave to think, and then return to purchase it in seconds from your co-worker.
After that I headed over to the East Side where I looked around a bit, and then stopped for a bite.
I was happily sipping a Sam Adams – hey it was New Years Eve – when the phone rang.
A friend I left a message for earlier took time out from a major busy event to wish me a Happy 2007.
Don’t you love a call like that?
I had made a few of my own on the crosstown bus.
So now I’m sitting there reading the paper – the restaurant keeps a few on hand for customers – and waiting for my nibbles.
A young man sat down at the table right next to me. He was noticably agitated. He ordered a drink, took a sip and then went outside to smoke a cigarette.
My food came, and he was back again.
He smiled at me, and made some comment about the chicken. I answered in a very general way, and then he was off for another smoke.
“What was this kid on anyway?”
Then he’s back again, and making some remark about my pasta.
I looked directly at him. He needed to talk.
“So how are you doing? Everything okay for the New Year?”
And that’s when it all came tumbling out.
A broken romance. The parents hate him. She dumped him, and yet is being vengeful. He was arrested for threatening her or something, and had to appear in court in two months.
The poor kid. He was so afraid he would be sent to jail. Fortunately I am familar with the union he belongs to, so I told him to contact the legal fund. Also his doctor had just placed him on medication, and recommended a therapist.
The court date was quite a few weeks away, and the worrying about it was hard on him.
We talked about how he might get a letter from the therapist. Maybe enter one of those anger management groups. I tried to make as many positive suggestions as possible.
He was so phenomenally grateful. He asked me my name, and told me his. When he shook my hand, the gratitude in his touch teared me up.
My meal and the mission I had been sent crosstown for by the universe completed, we parted company, and I headed back to the Upper West.
I returned a call while in the cab, and made plans to have tea and “book chat” with another friend.
I love “book chatting.”
And of course from books you go to movies and people and just everything!
Then I get a surprise call from one of my closest friends. We haven’t spoken in months – their work keeps them busy 24-7.
It was such a great phone call day!
After that I headed home, and called one of my new “best friends.”
She’s great. One of those instant pals.
We hung up at about 11:30, and I turned on Dick Clark.
He still looks good, though his speech is still a bit slow from the stroke.
Then the countdown, and yay a whole New Year.
2007 looks to be awesome!