Chapter 23: New Year’s Resolutions?

December 31, 1993, Chicago, Illinois

For the first time since I’d met him, I wasn’t sending anyone to Alex’s place for New Year’s Eve. It was, perhaps, a bit selfish, but this year I wanted my family and friends around me. Jorge’s death, and the entire situation with Jessica had really driven home just how important that was, not that I hadn’t believed that before. Alex had given me a bit of grief about it, but I reminded him that I’d been there the year before. Not to mention the fact that nearly every important family dinner took place there - birthdays, anniversaries, and so on.

The turnout for our party was huge, including several sailors from Great Lakes and most of Samantha’s friends. I didn’t make it up to the attic room until nearly 10:00pm after helping get the kids settled in the coach house after Jesse’s party. He, Birgit, and Matthew were allowed to stay up until midnight, but thankfully Jennifer and Josie had promised to keep an eye on all three of them.

When I finally got upstairs, the first order of business was a three-way dance with my wives. It had taken some time for Kara and me to convince Jessica to dance as a trio. She’d protested about breaking our relationship, but both Kara and I had impressed on her that we were putting things back together. In the end, she’d agreed, albeit somewhat reluctantly, to have the dance.

Abbie cued You’re the Inspiration and the three of us walked to the dance floor. Everyone stopped to watch and I held up my hand. Abbie looked at me and I indicated with a nod she should keep the tape playing, though I signaled her to turn it down a bit. I’d cleared what I was about to do with both of my wives, who simply stood at my side.

“Friends, this song has significant meaning to us, but not just as our song. The dance we’re going to do, when Abbie re-cues the song, was choreographed by our dear friend, Jorge González. Most of you knew him as a wonderful friend and exquisite dancer, but I knew him as a trusted advisor and confidant. My wives and I each have our ‘Lucy Nickels’ with us for this dance, and while we dance, we ask that all of you remember Jorge and what he meant to us. Abbie?”

She pressed the appropriate button on the CD player, and the song began again. The choreography that Jorge had devised had even more impact now. We walked past each other as souls drifting in the ether, with an even more poignant meaning than the first time. We truly were discovering each other again, and rebuilding our trio. I hoped that Jessica took the symbolism to heart and that it helped her on her journey back to us.

When the song ended, we turned and exchanged a three-way kiss, and the room erupted into cheers and applause. Suddenly, our closest friends were surrounding us and hugging us - Kurt, Kathy, Dave, Julia, Jamie, Jackie, Cindi, Jennifer, and Josie. It brought tears to my eyes, and I noticed, to Kara’s as well. Jessica was openly weeping, which, all things considered, was a good sign.

After a minute or so, I heard the first notes of We Can Last Forever, and slowly moved our large group aside so that the ‘Gang of Four’ could dance to their wedding song. We watched quietly until they finished and Abbie put on a new mix.

“That was wonderful,” Cindi said. “Both for you guys and for Jorge.”

“I agree,” Stephanie said quietly from just outside the perimeter of the inner circle.

“If Jessica will allow it, I’d like a dance!” Cindi said.

Jessica laughed, “Go on!”

I took Cindi’s hand and we danced a slow dance, though she was careful about too much body contact.

“I’m not an egg,” I chuckled. “And my wives have seen us dance closer!”

Cindi laughed, “It’s not YOU, it’s me! Dancing too close would drive ME crazy!”

I smirked and pulled her slightly closer.

“You mean like this?”

“Asshole!” she laughed. “You can play with fire because you’re on a leash!”

“Of my own making,” I said. “I’d already limited myself before I got hurt, and then the injuries kind of put things off limits for a time. And with Jessica back...”

“I totally understand,” she said. “So has Steve Adams retired?”

“Call it ‘on hiatus’ for the moment. I’m not predicting anything about the future.”

“I’m going to hate myself for saying this, but you know, that’s probably not a bad thing. As I said in LA, work on your marriage. Well, and your cute young thing on the side!”

“I’ll let Elyse know you called her a ‘cute young thing’,” I laughed.

“Michelle, you idiot!” Cindi laughed. “But I’m sure Elyse would appreciate the comment. At this point, we’re all over thirty. Soon enough, you’ll look distinguished and all of us will look old! Well, that’s not quite true; Kara will continue to look like Miss Universe!”

We finished our dance and I went back to Jessica and Kara.

“Have fun?” Kara giggled.

“I was careful not to push things too far with her. The ‘Tiger’ is on a short leash. And that’s NOT a complaint.”

“I see someone who would dearly like to see the Tiger unleashed!” Kara teased.

I didn’t have to look over my shoulder to know she meant Liz. I was actually more concerned about dancing with her than with Grace, who I knew was going to give me some serious grief about not being at the party the previous year, and not being available this year. Melanie had given me fair warning.

“Liz,” I said quietly.

“She really has a thing for you,” Kara said.

“We talked about it the last time we were together. She’s got her head screwed on straight.”

“And she likes to screw with you!” Kara giggled.

“And I like to screw with her!” I chuckled. “But I agreed with Jess on the rules and I’m not asking for, nor do I want, an exception. We have to fix US. Then we can discuss what the rules are going forward.”

“Go dance with her, Tiger,” Jessica said with a smile.

“I will. And that’s all.”

I did dance with Liz and gently reminded her about our talk after the last time we’d been together. She didn’t seem upset, and I wondered if Samantha had talked to her about the issues with Jessica. When I finished my dance with her, I danced with Samantha, then a few of her friends, and finally, with Kathy.

“You’re being much more careful than usual,” she said with a smile.

“You know why. Look at my wife and your husband. Toning it down for a bit is probably a good idea.”

“Kurt and I were going to suggest that even if you two didn’t.”

“You have that baby bump, too!” I grinned.

“Which you LOVE!” Kathy laughed.

“How’s the little guy or gal doing?”

“Just fine! I haven’t had any issues and the girls are excited about having a new baby.”

We finished our dance and I went back to be with my wives. We danced with each other, as well as others, until it was time to head downstairs for our usual New Year’s traditions which included Sofia’s reading of «Nyårsklockan», a countdown, champagne, and a call just after midnight from Katy.

Just after I hung up, Jessica and Kara directed me upstairs to bed.

January 1, 1994, Chicago, Illinois

On New Year’s Day, Jessica, Kara, Michelle, and I ate a late breakfast with Kathy and Kurt before they collected their daughters and headed home. Just as we finished the dishes, Abbie and Jason came into the kitchen. My wives and Michelle left and I started making breakfast for Jason and Abbie.

“Jason told me about the call from Bill,” I said as I scrambled eggs in a bowl.

“And I know what you’re going to say, too,” she said.

“That we all love you and because we love you, we want you to be happy. Jason belongs with a NASCAR team. He came here because he needed to make peace with what happened with his friends. He’s ready to get back in the game. But he needs you with him to do that. Go, Abbie. Marry Jason, have a bunch of kids, and raise them as NASCAR fans!”

“But what about the kids here?”

“Ask Matthew what he thinks. I daresay he’ll agree with me. It’s not like you can’t visit or we can’t visit.”

“But who’ll watch the kids?”

“Who watched them before you?” I asked gently.

“Veronica.”

“We’ll find someone, Abbie. It’s far more important to us that you’re happy. And I believe that means being a wife and a mom. And living in North Carolina.”

She shook her head, “Do you know just how crazy that sounds?”

Jason smiled but said nothing.

“You aren’t the seventeen-year-old Goth girl I met in Albany. You haven’t been her for a long, long time. Jason loves you. You love him. Go with him. Make some babies with red or blonde hair. Be a mom.”

“You’re sure?”

I smiled, “You are. Or we wouldn’t be having this conversation!”

“This is where you usually tell the girls you hate them, right?” she sighed, but with a smile.

“It sure is! Jason, call Rick Hendrick and say ‘yes’. Your girl will go with you!”

Jason smiled, “Think we could arrange an impromptu wedding?”

“I can call Mark Agnini later today. You’ll need a license. They killed the blood test requirements more than a year ago. What about your family?”

“It’s short notice, but I bet you anything LeAnn will drag her husband and kids here. My parents would probably come, too. Abs?”

“I doubt my parents would come on short notice because of their bed-and-breakfast, but I don’t care. Your kin plus all our friends here is all we need.”

I laughed, hard, “Kin? Seriously?”

“I think I’ve been hangin’ around this good ol’ boy fer too long!” Abbie said in a hilarious parody of a Southern accent.

“Forget it, Abbie,” I said, controlling my laughter. “Us Yankees will always be Yankees! Jason, what day?”

“Well, sooner, rather than later. I’m sure I’ll need to get to North Carolina in the next couple of weeks. Daytona is only six weeks away. They had one of their chassis guys leave right after Christmas. I’ll be taking his spot.”

“Building?”

“Mostly, yes. I’ll be working for Eddie Dickerson, who’s director of chassis engineering.”

“Make your call,” I said. “And I’ll make the arrangements with Mark. How about next Saturday if Mark is free? Can your kin make it?”

Abbie and Jason both laughed.

“I’ll call home right after breakfast. I don’t think I can get Mr. Hendrick today. But I’ll call Bill back and he can get word to him. I’ll call the shop on Monday.”

I finished making breakfast for them, then went to let my wives and Elyse know we’d need to plan for a party. The girls immediately started talking ‘bridal shower’ and I made my escape. I went to my study to call Kurt, Jamie, and Karl to work on a short-notice bachelor party for Friday evening. I knew Kurt was awake, as they’d slept at the house, so I dialed his number first.

“Seriously?” he asked with a laugh. “Sure. Let me start calling the guys for you. The usual suspects?”

“Yes. The Guys’ Night gang plus Alex, even though I doubt he’ll be able to take a Friday evening off.”

“I’m on it,” Kurt laughed. “Nothing is EVER simple around you, is it?”

“That’s been Elyse’s complaint since I met her! I’ll let you get cracking on the calls; I have quite a bit to do to get ready for Friday. Let Kathy know she’ll hear from the girls about a bridal shower.”

“I will. I guess I’ll see you Friday!”

I agreed and we hung up. I looked at the clock and it was close to noon, so I looked up Mark’s number in my address book and dialed.

“Steve? Hi!” Staci gushed. “How are you?”

“Good! I guess you and Mark are still together.”

“Obviously,” she laughed. “I assume you called for him?”

“Yes, please.”

“One sec,” she replied.

Mark was on the phone a minute later and I explained what I needed. He laughed and said he’d be glad to do it. I confirmed his fee, and let him know I’d be paying. I promised to call with the details once Jason and Abbie had their license. He asked how things were going and I gave him a synopsis, but emphasized that we were making progress. He encouraged me to continue with the marital counseling, and said he’d see us on Saturday. Before I hung up, I invited him and Staci to the bachelor party and bridal shower on Friday, and he said they’d be there.

After I hung up, I went to find Matthew so I could tell him, but then decided it was best if he heard it from Abbie. He paused his SEGA game, and I asked him to come downstairs with me. Abbie took him into her lap and told him she and Jason were getting married and he was super happy.

“Jason wants to work on race cars again,” Abbie said gently.

“Good!” Matthew exclaimed. “He likes that!”

“But we’d have to move, Foo,” she said. “To North Carolina.”

“Is that far away?”

She nodded, “Yes.”

Matthew became teary-eyed, but he didn’t cry.

“You have to go with him because you love him,” he said sadly.

“Yes, that’s true. I promise we’ll visit and you can come visit us, too.”

“Can I, Dad?” he asked.

I nodded, “Of course! I’m sure we can see them at Michigan, right Jason?”

“You bet! And I’ll be able to get you tickets to any race you want.”

“Including the Brickyard?” I chuckled.

“That place holds 300,000 people!” Jason laughed. “I think we could squeeze you in between Emily’s dad, Bill, and my new team!”

“Matthew,” Abbie said, “Jason and I are getting married on Saturday!”

“Really? Wow!”

“Yes. You and I should go on a date tomorrow. School starts Monday, right?”

“I think so. Dad?”

“Yes,” I said.

“I’m going to miss you,” Matthew said again, throwing his arms around Abbie’s neck.

“And I’ll miss you, too,” she said, hugging him tightly, as a tear escaped her eye.

I left the three of them and went to find Jennifer to start our search for a new nanny.

“We knew this was coming eventually,” she said. “Just not this quickly! I’ll make some phone calls on Monday morning. Is it OK to leave your number with the agency?”

“Sure. It’s easier for me to take calls than for you. I was thinking for the little ones, I’d take them to work and use the co-op until we find someone. Think one of our High School girls would be here for when the three oldest come home from school?”

“Let me call Kayla and Shanita and see if they’re available. When would they start?”

“I’d say a week from Monday. Even if Abbie’s still here, and I expect she will be, it gives us some transition. Jason is going to have to get settled and find a place in North Carolina.”