New Years Eve, 1999: San Francisco
It was the biggest party night of the Millennium. Literally. I was dressed in a black, strapless evening gown and I was wearing a mask. Actually, everyone was. It was the event of events for the New Year - a masquerade ball.
So there was I was in the poshest hotel in the city surrounded by the best and brightest - minus one. Jake, in his undying love for his business, was hunkered down in San Jose with his employees babysitting the business. He was convinced the Y2K bug was out to get him and he wanted to be the one to squash it.
Naturally I was disappointed that I couldn't spend the big night with my husband, but he was so insistent that he was needed. He persuaded me to go to the ball. And he promised that as soon as we could, we would slip away to the Caymans for a much needed vacation.
There was no shortage of people to accompany me to the party. Most of the wives of couples I knew were being similarly abandoned. We were all married to Software Giants who were more concerned with the roll-over of the calendar than a silly party.
I was determined to have a good time and dressed up in my very best and even had a limo pick me up. As we whisked through the streets of the city and headed for the Bay Bridge, I reflected on my life as I think most people did at this very important juncture.
Jake and I married in the fall of 1993. He didn't see any reason for a long courtship - he was 'madly and passionately' in love with me. I loved him as well - maybe not with the same intensity, but I did love him and he made me happy. The wedding was in Virginia and everyone was there - except Robert.
I was never quite sure why he wasn't able to go, but I figured it was just as well. I didn't go to his either. We were both consumed with jealously.
Anyway, Jake and I honeymooned in the Caribbean and became big fans of snorkeling. We tried to get away at least once a year to do this. We spent another year in New York and Jake decided to move his business to Silicon Valley. It was where the action was. I said I would go along with it as long as we could live in Oakland Hills. He agreed and we moved west.
I was able to transfer to my company's San Francisco office with little difficulty and before I knew it we were settled into a comfortable California life.
Things with Jake were, in a word, calm. He was a hard worker and a loving husband. I put my crazy days with Robert behind me and concentrated on being a good wife. We decided to forgo having children and just concentrate on our careers and each other.
Eight years slipped by and my memories of Robert were largely tucked away. Very rarely did I let myself remember what we did. When I did, it usually got me horny then slightly depressed. I only saw him once after I got married and it was during Thanksgiving. He didn't say much to me as Pamela was with him. It was about a year after Jake and I got married. Of course he looked great like he always did and I had a hard time trying to concentrate on other conversations. Then after that he slipped away and I didn't hear much about him.
It was so weird that after being so madly in love with him, I didn't think of him often.
The limo pulled up in front of the hotel and I walked into the lobby. The place was buzzing with excitement and I was instantly swept up in it. A new Millennium! I showed my invitation, grabbed a mask and made my way into the ballroom.
It was decorated in such a way that it was grand and decadent at the same time. I grabbed a glass of champagne from a tray and took in the sights and sounds before me.
The room was filled with masked partygoers, but it looked like most people were able to find others that they knew. Little groups of three and four were clustered around the bar and tables with food. A few adventurous souls were dancing to mainly 80's music. As the Police boomed over the sound system I felt a little pang of a memory tucked away. I smiled wryly at the fact that the 80's had made a comeback.
I was spotted by some of my contemporaries and was pulled into an excited conversation about this one and that one. I drank a few glasses of champagne and felt the buzz in the room elevate as the seconds ticked away towards midnight. I had to admit, it was pretty exciting.
I did miss Jake, though. He had called right before I left to say that he would be home as soon as he was sure things were going to be ok. It would probably be morning before I saw him. As I told him I loved him, I could hear laughing and the distinct sound of a beer opening. I smiled as I thought they were probably going to have a good time and make the best of it.
I was getting a little tipsy, but it didn't matter. I had a ride home and besides - I was masked!
At five minutes to midnight, the room reached a fever pitch. It had already swung into 2000 in several time zones without any trouble and people felt hopeful and excited. I moved to the edge of the room to steady myself and get ready. For, hopefully, the last time they played Prince's 1999 and I leaned back against the wall and let a few more memories drift over me.
As the song wound down and they began to count down the last minute of 1999, I was aware of someone staring intently at me. I didn't think I knew him, but he was masked and it was dark as they had shut down the lights. There was something familiar about him, but I figured it was one of Jake's software buddies who somehow managed to get out of babysitting.
I diverted my attention when I heard: "10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1!!!!!!!!!"
Suddenly the room was flooded with balloons and confetti. Everyone was hugging and kissing each other. I was wishing Jake was there when I felt two hands grasp my arms. I looked to see who it was but before I knew what was going on, a pair of lips was pressing hard against mine in a kiss that left me breathless.
When at last he pulled away I was too stunned for words. The mask was now off and it was Robert.
Time suddenly stood still then began to reverse. My first (and only?) love stood there before me with such a look of longing on his face. I forgot where I was and threw my arms around him and hugged him tightly. The years melted away and we together again.
Every once in a while I would fantasize about meeting him and what we would do. I always thought it would be strained and subdued since we had not seen each other in a while. But what was going on in that packed room exceeded my expectations. As we embraced so did a hundreds of others. Although most were celebrating the fact they had made it to the new Millennium, Robert and I were erasing the years that had separated us.
He held on to me tightly. At that moment I forgot about everything else and concentrated on his arms around me and his hard body pressed against me. I felt his mouth move to my ear and his voice told me how much he had missed me. A few tears came to my eyes.
"Let's go someplace a little more private. I have to see you and hear you," he murmured.
I broke away from him and led him away to a deserted corridor. We sat in a love seat and faced each other. At last I pulled my mask off and smiled at him.
"God, you're beautiful, Beth," he croaked.
I blushed like I used to and looked down at his hands. Suddenly I noticed he had no wedding band on. I looked up at his face.
"Pamela," was all I said.
"Divorced me three years ago," he said.
"Oh my god, I didn't even know! I'm so sorry!"
He shrugged.
"It was bound to happen, but I don't want to talk about it right now."
I nodded and looked into his blue eyes. He smiled again and that boyish charm returned. He looked great - his blond hair was a little longer and brushed back from his face. My eyes wandered over his body and saw that he was still taking care of it. Again, the memories came rushing back.
"I can't believe we ran into each other here," I said finally. "How did you come to be here?"
"Well, after the divorce I moved back to Pasadena and got a teaching job at Caltech. It was the best thing I ever did. I love it there."
I smiled at him knowing how much academia agreed with him.
"One of my friends from the university invited me up to the Bay Area when he found out I was going to spend New Year's alone. I think he felt sorry for me." He laughed and went on: "He told me that the Who's Who of San Francisco would be at this ball and it would be fun to go. He has friends in high places, I guess."
He looked at me and his face got serious.
