Brian laid beside Chrissie as Jimmy watched the telly intently between them. Brian was staring at Chrissie, studying her every feature, watching the way her body moved with her breath and the way she blinked in near rhythm. He studied her hands and her long hair and her soft skin. He drank in how truly beautiful the woman he married was. Brian could feel himself becoming depressed about leaving her again for the tour and about leaving Jimmy. It was New Years Eve, 1978 and neither of them had yet to put away any Christmas decorations. The house still looked so very lovely. “Look! Look, Jimmy! Look at the ball! See how it sparkles!” Chrissie cooed at him as Jimmy seemed to be entranced by the ball that was traditionally dropped over Times Square in New York City. She and Brian were watching the televised special call Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve. It aired out of the United States and featured music acts and celebrity guests. They had eaten three bowls of popcorn and Jimmy had been through three diapers and two and a half bottles of juice. Brian continued to watch Chrissie seriously; feeling solemn and perhaps even a bit mopey inside.
“I wanna’ have another baby with you.” Brian blurted out of nowhere. Chrissie looked at him with the most blindsided of glances.
“What?” she asked.
“I’m serious. Let’s have another one.” Brian said. Chrissie shook her head.
“Again…what? Brian what…what are you saying?” she inquired, still dumbfounded.
“I think we’re ready for another one. A little brother or sister for Jimmy?” He smiled at Chrissie appearing to be enthralled with the idea of another baby. Chrissie hadn’t reacted neither positively nor negatively; she was simply stunned.
“Jimmy’s not even yet two.” Chrissie responded.
“No, but he will be this year.” He said, reaching for her hand. Brian continued to stare at Chrissie’s rather emotionless reaction. They sat there in silence, Jimmy continuing to be fascinated by the telly. “Chrissie?” Brian repeated. She took a deep breath.
“So, you cheat on me with a stripper you met at a club four years ago, you confess to me that you were once infatuated with her and now you’re laying here…wanting to discuss you and I having another baby?” Chrissie asked seriously. It was in that moment that it hit Brian. Yes, they had a wonderful Christmas and yes Chrissie did in fact love him. The problem was that she hadn’t let it go. She had forgiven Brian but she couldn’t let go of the fact.
“I told you that…” she stopped him.
“No. No, Brian. I love you. But, we are very much not ready for that. Come back from the tour without anythin’ else to confess to me and maybe we’ll talk.” Chrissie said, turning her attention back to the telly and to Jimmy.
“I love you…you. I thought we talked about this. I thought we were o…”
“We are okay. What we aren’t is in no place for another baby. I realize you probably have the fever because of…you know…Mr. Father of the Year.” Chrissie rolled her eyes.
“Don’t say that. Chrissie, that’s just mean. I was watchin’ you Christmas Day and I was just thinking to myself god I’m the luckiest man alive because that is the mother of my son. I love you.” he repeated. Chrissie didn’t say anything. Brian thought this whole ‘indicent’ had been resolved but in only a matter of minutes before it was time to ring in 1979; he realized it wasn’t.
It had been a subdued New Years and one of the first that some elaborate, glamorous or debauchery-filled night hadn’t ensued. Sure there had been many invitations received for this party or that party but tonight; John, Veronica and the boys spent a happy New Years Eve at home with Veronica’s parents looking at old photos. It made Veronica rather sad as she reminisced on times gone by. It also made her smile because so many happy times had been captured and immortalized within the pages of album after album. . Everyone in the house gathered around the telly to watch John and Veronica’s wedding video. They ate pierogies and Swedish meatballs until they were practically sick. Veronica found herself more emotional this New Years Eve than she ever had before. Michael had long fallen asleep and he wouldn’t see the New Year come in. Robbie, however, was fairly wound and having a party horn blowing contest with his daddy.
