Free Wait for Me by Sara Tessa

husband.
    â€œWhat are you doing for New Year?” Ester asked me, sitting down at the table for her break.
    â€œNot much,” I replied.
    â€œYou want you have dinner with us?”
    â€œThat’s okay,” I muttered, shaking my head. “I think I’ll be watching the parking lot. I’ll find a good film to watch and get an early night.”
    â€œSounds great—” Ben said, getting to his feet and approaching the table. “Me and my buddy are going to a club over in Jersey if you fancy coming?”
    I looked up at him and frowned, horrified at the idea. I would rather sit on my own in Lether’s Parking.
    â€œI know, I know, but I have to do it. We’ll be opening the bar in a couple of months so we’re trying to get to know the scene and do some networking. You know, get acquainted with the locals.”
    â€œGood luck with that – get a few tattoos and wear a nice tank top.”
    â€œCome with us, it’ll be fun. You might even meet somebody,” he urged.
    â€œ
Si
– a nice bald, fake-tanned bodybuilder with the tiny
pito
,” Ester said.
    I burst out laughing. “No tiny
pitos
!”
    *
    The New Year had arrived.
    I spent the night in my room with a few messages to warn me that cars were coming and going, and the TV on in the background. I also read a novel about time travel. It was pretty good.
    Looking at the life vest, I thought about what I might change if time travel were possible. I didn’t come up with an answer, or rather, I had so many answers that it was impossible to choose one. Perhaps I wouldn’t change anything after all. Even if I did manage to erase an event, sooner or later I would only end up doing it again. History repeats itself, always.
    At five minutes to midnight, I decided to search through the gift bags that we had received from customers. I wanted to find a bottle that would be suitable for a solitary toast. I chose a Dom Pérignon from 2003; kindly gifted by one ‘Richard Benson’. I took it outside with an empty coffee mug, hoping to see some fireworks. I could hear cheering from the windows as party goers awaited the countdown.
    Curious, I looked up at the building opposite. The light on the twelfth floor was out. I was suddenly dazzled by two beaming headlights. When my vision returned, I saw Adam, fully suited, emerging from his car with a bottle and two glasses. In that moment I cursed my stupid idea to come out and watch the fireworks. I could have stayed, burrowed in bed and avoided this ambush completely.
    â€œA toast to the New Year?” he asked, showing the label.
    I held up the Dom Pérignon and my coffee mug. He gave me a smile, all the more gleaming as midnight was imminent.
    â€œShouldn’t you be celebrating at some exclusive party?” I asked, folding my arms.
    â€œI was dying of boredom, and I thought about you here, all alone. And then it occurred to me that we could be all alone together.”
    An echo of voices started chanting the count. It was the beginning of the end. Another echo told me to run for cover, not to fall for it, to save myself.
    Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One.
    Adam popped the cork.
    â€œHappy New Year and many happy returns, Sophie!” he said, clinking his glass against mine.
    â€œHappy New Year.”
    We kissed on the cheek, sipping champagne and watching the fireworks. A joyous uproar seemed to permeate through the streets. Adam refilled my glass.
    â€œResolutions for this year?” he asked, leaning against his car.
    I sighed. “Or resolution?” he added.
    â€œPerhaps,” I hesitated. “Discover that we’re not alone in the universe.”
    He stared at me intently, frowning, and then lowered his gaze.
    I didn’t return the question – his immediate goals were evident. I sipped on the champagne, trying to think of a legitimate reason to leave. Adam filled his glass again and gave me a knowing