Dream Wishes

"My butt's going to freeze."

Kate muttered into the wool scarf covering her mouth. It had started snowing and the wind drowned her in flakes. She pulled her cap as low as possible and shoved her curled up fists deeper into her coat pockets. The fifteen-minute walk felt like she was running after a bus that had left her stop. She turned the corner and walked past her favorite bakery. Chocolate glazed donuts, cinnamon rolls, and butter cookies floated around her as she remembered her morning visit. Unfortunately, the place was bursting and she ended up purchasing a salad from the Deli. Lunch had been boring.

"Pity, it's closed" she frowned.

Most of the shops had closed except for the restaurants and bars. Those places would be packed with singing, dancing and counting down. The awkward pleasantries and the noise itself would make a person sick. Kate shook her head at the thought of enduring such a night. She wondered what other traditions were being followed or ignored tonight.

A couple crossed the street and turned towards her. They walked arm in arm leaning into each other for support. The man whispered in the woman's ear pulling her close. The woman laughed dispersing a puff of glitter around them. They fell on each other more than they walked oblivious of the world. Kate shivered at the sight of the knee length dress and the six-inch heels. She sidestepped them as they passed her.

Kate entered her building and climbed two steps at a time to her one bedroom apartment on the first floor. She shut the door behind her and flipped on the light switch. The living room was as she had left it. She pulled the curtains across the windows which overlooked the street and went to the bedroom. She stripped down dumping her clothes in the hamper. She rubbed her arms and legs then slipped into a Tee and leggings. Little feet padded around her rubbing against her legs.

"Alright, hold on. Come on"

"Meow"

Kate kissed Sunshine's nose then scratched her head. She switched on the television and flipped a few channels. There was nothing interesting on except news on the celebrations all over the world. Reporters reporting live events on the fireworks in Australia, the musical fountain in Dubai and the babies born at the stroke of midnight achieving the special birthday date and time. Kate freshen up then peeked in the fridge. Besides the cat food and a bottle of milk, it was empty. "Meow" criticized Sunshine sitting between her feet.

"No need for that tone ... there's some fried chicken and leftover pasta."

While the food heated in the microwave Kate checked her messages. There were none. There wouldn't be any for another hour or two. Then the curtsies would start. "Meow" Sunshine circled and sat next to her dish.

"Here's your leg, tubby"

"Meow"

Kate settled in on the couch and dug in. Sunshine crunched up the bones and tried to sneak up next to her. Kate tried not to doze off on the couch exhausted from the twelve-hour shift. It was the same every year end. Sales targets and inventories but thankfully she wasn't part of the accounts department handing the final accounts preparations. At least she could sleep in tomorrow. She put away the dishes and plopped into bed.

"What do you think we should read today?"

"Meooww"

Sunshine curled up in bed purring loudly. Kate picked the first book on the bedside table. After reading about a page, the book slipped out of her fingers and dropped to the floor. Sleepily, she thought of the coming year. Maybe she should make a new year's resolution or do something to change her life. Maybe she should make a wish. Sleep captured her before she could complete that thought. Midnight came and went.

Her wishes slipped into dreams.

© 2019 crazyp01