The last day of 2014 arrived with a brisk cold wind and bright azure skies. The weather report said to expect an arctic blast sweeping down from Canada later in the evening. As always the weather lady reminded us to observe the four P's. Take precaution with your pipes, plants, pets, and people. It was like a nursery rhyme in my head that I couldn't quite shake. I found myself saying it even during the summer months. Someday I'm going to write that weather lady and tell her to stop with the damn cute comments, but for now I had bigger plans to attend to.
You could say I'm in the golden years of my life. I spent the last thirty years married to my job. My business card read:
Jackson Hunt
Senior Petroleum Engineer/Technical Advisor
Gallant Oil Company
Houston, Texas
Working fifty to sixty hours each week as a petroleum engineer left me little time to become attached to anyone. I had passed up the chance for any long term relationship in exchange for a demanding job. Working my way up the ladder of success from the oil boom of the early 80's in the Texas panhandle to earn money for an engineering degree and finally retiring as senior engineer for a large oil company based out of Houston left me a single man. I had done well, made incredible money, but here I am lying in bed on the last day of 2014, and not wanting to crawl out from under the blanket and open the curtains to let in the morning sun. I realized soon after retirement that I wanted, actually needed someone to share my world. I longed for someone to love.
I thought about the weather report and the cold blast of air coming down from Canada, and for an instant almost talked myself out of plans that I had begrudgingly made for later in the evening. I really didn't like social gatherings, but I had promised Ray Porter, an old friend, that I would come to his New Year's party and stay over the night. Ray had done very well for himself in real estate, and he and his wife Barb owned a beautiful oceanfront home in Galveston. It would be nice I thought to celebrate the new year overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, albeit no love interest to share it with. Well, enough with self pity I thought as I crawled out of bed and made my usual breakfast of coffee and cinnamon toast. At that moment the telephone rang, and I could see from the caller ID that it was Ray, probably calling to remind me of the party tonight. "Morning Jack, how are you this fine day?" "Ray, I was just thinking of you and Barb. How is your beautiful wife?" "Oh she is fine Jack, she just wanted me to remind you of the New Year's evening bash we are having for a few of our closest friends tonight. You are coming aren't you?" Now was my chance to back out, but I thought that the least I should do would be to show up and greet the new year in style, so I replied, "I wouldn't miss it for the world Ray! By the way, you mentioned there were going to be other closest friends invited, that doesn't mean you and I aren't best friends anymore , does it?" "Oh, no Jack, it's Barb's friend from California. She recently divorced and she and Barb have been emailing each other lately and reconnecting. She was actually Barb's roommate for a couple of years when she attended the University of Texas in Austin. I thought I had mentioned her to you before Jack. Well it doesn't matter; you'll get to meet her tonight. I'll see you at seven, and remember you are our guest to stay over for the night." "OK Ray, I'll remember to bring my teddy bear and blanket, I'll see you at seven."
The drive from Houston to Galveston was quicker than usual. Not much traffic I thought, most offices were closed, families at home with loved ones. There I go again feeling sorry for myself. Arriving at the residence of Ray and Barb's I was impressed with the elegance of the Spanish architecture all the way from the private gate past the carefully manicured landscape, and up to the veranda of the grand home. Barbara met me at the door with a big hug and a kiss and called to her husband, "Raymond, some old cowboy dragged himself up to the door looking for a drink. You better get down here quick because he looks awful thirsty!" I couldn't recall the last time I had been kissed by a beautiful woman, and it reminded me of an empty space in my life. No time for melancholy moods I thought as I saw Ray coming down the stairway. "Hey Jack you old roustabout, come in and make yourself at home. It's been a long time, too long. Let me take you out to the back deck and show you a view of the Gulf that will leave you breathless. Oh, and by the way, there's someone I want you to meet." Barbara giggled with delight as she followed both of us outside.
"Jack, let me introduce you to Ms. Sophie Ribault. Sophie is the owner and operator of her own French bakery in San Diego...what is the name of your bakery Sophie? Oh yes, I remember now, 'La Patisserie'. Sophie, this is Mr. Jackson Hunt, the infamous Jackson Hunt!" Sophie took my hand and with a big grin said, "Jack, may I call you Jack? I have heard so many wonderful things about you from Barbara; I am so pleased to finally meet you." Sophie looked like an angel, with an elegance and ease that endeared me to her from the moment she said my name. All I could do now was not say anything stupid. "Sophie, please do call me Jack, and I am honored to make your acquaintance. Barbara tells me how much you mean to her, and any friend of Barbara's is a friend of mine. So tell me Sophie, what brings you to Texas if I may ask?" Jack, it's a long story of me needing to be with those who care about me. Barb and Ray always supported me emotionally and I need their support now. You see, my husband decided he didn't want to be married any longer. He found himself a young Spanish senorita and took off for Mexico. I guess I saw it coming. It hadn't been a good marriage for a very long time, but I was so busy with the bakery that his leaving kind of snuck up and bit me on the butt. I take partial blame for it, but I do believe things will work out for the best. I'm sorry for talking so much Jack." Actually I was glad Sophie opened up to me, although I was so enamored with her appearance that I probably only heard every other word she said. I'm sure she said something about a bakery. "Ms. Ribault, if I may be so forward, I would be pleased to take you on a walk along the beach if you are interested." "Mr. Hunt, I would be honored. I'll be ready in five minutes, I'll just need to grab a sweater, it's cold out tonight." I took the next five minutes grabbing a bottle of wine, a bottle opener, and a blanket. By the time I had my essentials we were off to the beach.
Sophie and I walked and talked about silly things, and before I realized it, we had been walking and laughing for more than an hour. "You know Jack, we must be three or four miles from the house, I think we should turn around. We need to be back to usher in the New Year with our hosts." As we headed back towards the house Sophie said, "So if I said I was cold now would you mind lending me that blanket you have been carrying around for the past hour?" I laughed, wrapped the blanket over her shoulders, and casually put my arm around her waist. "You know there is room enough in this blanket for even a big cowboy like yourself Jack, that is if you are interested." I was a cowboy, but I wasn't stupid. I could take a cue just like a city boy, and with that Sophie and I began to grow closer. We made it back to Ray's home just in time to welcome in 2015. A champagne toast with good friends, and now a romantic interest made me feel like this was going to be a great year.
As we prepared to retire for the night, I kissed Sophie on the cheek. We both knew it was too early in our relationship to take it to another level, although we both knew it would come. "I'll see you in the morning Sophie...sweet dreams." With a smile as big as Texas Sophie replied, "I'll see you in the morning cowboy."
Lying alone in bed that night I recalled a quote from an old friend of mine, a real cowboy. He told me when I was first getting involved in the oil business, "Don't be afraid to go after what you want, or what you want to be, but just be willing to pay the price for it all." At that moment I told myself that Sophie was worth it before drifting off into sweet slumber. That night I dreamed of Ms Ribault and cinnamon toast.
The night sky is filled with twinkling stars
all containing stories.
Loneliness is coming down
like dew drops on the flowers.
As I'm calling for someone
that left me in searching for stars.
The old memories come back
and linger.
The only face I can see is me
who is lost in the past.
Flow, flow, when time flows away
what will I become?
Do I have to go on
this long journey alone?
Will I become a memory
tomorrow and the day after tomorrow?
