2006 began with a man carrying me up a flight of stairs, the way one does across a threshold. We abandoned a party for one more familiar. One drink and two glasses of champagne, strike that 3 glasses of champagne and I was ready for somber pastures. I could have walked on my own accord but he offered and I was flying in the air before a defiant no could escape my lips. The night as predicted, was nookie free. But there was some good spooning involved. He’s a friend so get your mind out of the gutter and remember, “I’m a lady.”

Sunday morning he sat in my apartment while I finished the final touches. We were discussing his latest break up and “what” he was looking for. I explained all of my married siblings relationships. The common theme amoung all four couples, they are friends. The parents any would be proud to have knowing fate would grant its usual hard times and their ability to sift through the mud together.

J: My oldest brother’s wife is one of my best friends. She
knows what’s going on in my life before my friends do 90 percent of the time. They are amazing parents together and know how to put the kids to bed then stay up sharing a bottle of wine talking (really talking).
C: Isn’t that great, that’s what we all want.
J: Yeah it is. I’m not painting a rose colored picture of their marriage. They fight and have had some doozies.
C: Who doesn’t?
J: Why do we live in a society where no one talks about the fights causing people to encase themselves in glass houses and Norman Rockwell photos?
C: Why do you think Desperate Housewives is so popular? (Duh)

We were then off to meet up with the best Houston has to offer, my nearest and dearest friends.

Some of our guys were there as well. We had a J. (The Perfect Gentleman), a C. (the Drummer), T. (the Hip Hop Dancer), and Cl. (Newest Edition). Three hours and five hundred dollars later, the decision was served. Hillary abandoned the groups focus turned and said,

“If this is indicative of how the year is going to be I can’t wait.”

I clinked my glass with a spoon, stood up, and made a toast. I don’t recall exactly what I said other than it ended with everyone wiping a tear and something about regardless of our small fights “We all still love each other.”

Enter dollar vodkas and yours truly being in bed by 7pm.

I woke today with that feeling of waking up in a hospital and realizing my legs were amputated. I dreamt of the faceless man last night. Casually we sat on the bed silently discussing the physics of finding a home in one another. He moved with the vivid swipe of a superhero encasing my waist with his strong arm. It was then I woke realizing it was the weight of my own arm I felt. Leaping off the couch I had fallen asleep on, I went for a jog, showered, explored the Museum of Fine Arts latest exhibit, hit up Blockbuster and the grocery store.

Anyone who knows me understands I heart John Cusack forever. He first had me when I saw the stalker movie Say Anything. Forget Matt Damon or that cheater Brad Pitt. Give me Cusack or Affleck any day and Baby I’m yours till the poets run out of rhyme. I should feel guilty for wasting the last half of a holiday indoors, especially in sunny 70 degree weather. However, Must Love Dogs is a new release. I’ve cooked vegetable spinach lasagna from scratch thank-you very much and as I sit here typing this John’s character pauses, clasps his hands, leans across the table and says,

I think your heart grows back bigger, once you get the shit beat out of you. And the universe lets your heart expand that way. I think that’s the function of all the pain and heartache that we all go through.

SWOON

Hello 2006. My pleasure to meet you. And here’s to hoping we have plenty of pleasure.