I don't mind telling you that New Year is not my favorite holiday, and it's not because I'm one year older - everyone is. What gets my goat is all the explaining I have to do on the morning after, when every conversation opens with the inevitable: "So what did you do on New Year's Eve?" Go explain that I only get invited to a New Year's bash on an every other decade basis. Since my last end-of-year shindig was sometime in Reagan's second term, my next invite should be right around the corner. But in the mean time I have to answers all those darn questions:
· From son Stephen: "So what did you and mom do last night? Had fun I hope." · Me: Yes, as a matter of fact we had an interesting evening. Mom found an Olivia de Havilland retrospective on one of the public channels. Just fascinating; she was Joan Fontaine's sister, you know. · Stephen: "Really!" · Me: Yes, few people know that. · Stephen: "Boy, I sure didn't. Who is Joan Fontaine anyway?" · Me: It's a long story; here talk to mom.
And the next caller,
· Daughter Ellen: "Hi, happy New Year! What did you guys do for dinner last night?" · Me: We went out for Chinese food; a nice restaurant in the neighborhood. · Daughter Ellen: "Good thinking! Was it crowded?" · Me: No, not really. We figured everyone would be thinking Chinese that night, so we nipped into the place before five. Actually got home in time for the six o'clock news, heh-heh. · Daughter Ellen: "Boy, that's really something! What did you do for the rest of the night?" · Me: It's a long story; here talk to mom.
And the next caller:
· Daughter Andrea: " Hi there - didn't think I'd find you and mom home on New Year's Day. Are you too tired from New Year's Eve?" · Me: No, not really. · Daughter Andrea: "Gee, I didn't realize it was so late already, after four. Ellen and Stephen must have called by this time; what'd they have to say?" · Me: It's a long story; here talk to mom.
