January and snow

Midnight wishes

I beamed as my fingertips touched the warm white paper. My final pay cheque of the year and the biggest. I gave a toothy grin and bowed.

"Thank you," I bowed again, "it's been nice working with you, Alyssa." Alyssa waved me off and grinned. Her bright red hair looked more silky and brighter when she smiled.

"No problemo, you deserved it anyways. You better get going so you won't miss the new year," she informed. I nodded and started packing up stuff laid about on my desk. "Right, you are going to spend it with your family?" I stiffened and glanced at her. I gave a reluctant nod and she smiled awkwardly.

"Yeah, probably," I answered. I grabbed all my stuff and stuffed them in my purse.

"Well goodbye January, see you next year." I nodded and bowed one last time.

"Good bye," I waved and walked away. I took one last glance at Alyssa then walked out. My phone ringed and I took it out of my coat pocket.

REMINDER: Invitation to celebrate new year with family.

I sighed and put my phone back into my pocket. If I could skip Christmas, I could surely skip new year. I pushed open the push or pull door and the cold winter air immediately kissed my cheek. I shivered and walked faster towards my car. I took out my keys and opened my door, swung it open and climbed in. I immediately felt the contrast between both temperature.

I put on my seat belt, adjusted the rear view mirror and sighed once more. Unconsciously, I had packed up my bag for my visit to my parents but after one call from them later in the day, I had to rethink my decision. My family and I haven't been on an okay term since I decided to move cities. We still talk here and there but we are still in the awkward spot.

Flashes of the talk I had with my elder brother this morning recurred in my mind but I immediately shook it away. I put in my keys in the ignition lock cylinder and the car gave a slight purr before starting. I pressed the clutch pedal and reversed out of the parking lot.

The drive back home was lonely so I decided to turn on the radio as I drove back home. It was a series of Christmas songs, adverts and jingles. An ad came on and I listened to it absentmindedly.

"New year is approaching, perfect time for a family gathering. Blow up some fireworks and hang some festive lights because we are entering a new year," the man in the ad said. "Spend some time with family, make memories, fix bonds with love ones. Do it all with Sammy's tomato paste—"

I turned off the radio before he could continue. My eyes started to water and before I knew it, I turned the car around and drove towards the other town. The cars on the road were not much and I noticed snow had started to fall from the sky.

I had my doubts that it would be a heavy snowfall because I had checked the weather forecast this morning and we were told there won't be much snowfall. I continued to drive and turned on my vehicle stability control just in case. The more I drove, the less I saw people and cars. It made me worried so I decided to turn on the radio to check if there was any other news report broadcasted.

"It's winter and all the leaves on the trees have withered to the ground, get a coat and wrap a scarf because it's chilly out door." I changed the station to another one.

"It seems like we are experiencing a change in weather. Everyone, stay indoors because it seems like a blizzard is going to hit West Elmira and Southport, New York. Please stay indoors at all cost."

My blood ran cold and my fingers shook in fear. I was currently on my way to Southport and a blizzard was on its way. I couldn't possibly die in the heap of snow that would fall in a couple of minutes. Just as I thought about this. Snow started falling quickly, completely covering my windshield. I used the wiper to wipe them off but as I did so, more kept falling. I was in a frenzy, wiping and driving carelessly.

I just didn't want to die, not right now. Suddenly, my car stopped moving. I pressed the accelerator but it didn't budge. I was surely gonna die out here. Tears started streaming down my face once more and I sobbed heavily. The wiper and the sound of me sobbing were the only audible things to me. I cleaned away my tears and looked at my surroundings. Snow. In a matter of seconds, the whole road was covered in snow.

I looked at the windscreen that was getting covered by the snow falling on it and sighed but my eye caught something else. Through the wipers and snow on the windscreen, I could see a yellow light coming from a building somewhere. I took in a deep breath and got out of my car. I stood on the road, snow flakes falling on my hair and coat, staring at the vast road. The yellow light was even brighter from where I stood.

I tried to run towards the light, taking cautious steps and long breaths. Finally, I reached where the ominous light was coming from and realized it was a diner.

"Midnight wishes drive in diner," I said with a shaky breath. I dashed into the building and the warm feeling comforted my flushed cheeks and frozen nose tip. The facility was quiet and a melancholic music played through tiny speakers. I walked deeper into the diner and noticed only a customer was in here. I walked towards the counter, taking in my surroundings. Everywhere was made to look like the late 90's. From the sitting area to the counter and wall decor.

The barista was a guy in his early twenties with long blond hair and freckles. I was still shivering but the smell of hot cocoa and the warm air this facility had all together helped in comforting my soaked body. The barista looked up from the novel he was reading and placed a warm smile on his face.

"Welcome, how may I help you?" He asked.

"Give me the warmest thing you have on your menu," I answered. He nodded and walked away to get my order for me.

"Be back in a sec," he said.