After hours.

With the last of the patrons gone, and after sending Danny and Frankie away to do their dirty work (they happily obliged), I remain downstairs in the Klub to close up.

I rather like the place after hours. One can still feel the energy that was once there just hovering in the air, gradually disspating like the cigarette smoke. It's quiet, except for the occasional squeaky floorboard beneath my feet, and the soft swish of the broom sweeping up the debris the evening's merrymaking.

Speaking of merrymaking, I think tomorrow morning I shall procure for ourselves a little Christmas tree. Perhaps some decorations as well.

And suddenly my head is filled with the swirling memories of past holidays, and everything that comes with this time of year. I can never really let go.

The sweeping done, I head backstage to shut off all the house lights, vaguely wondering where Victor had disappeared to, as he'd said he wanted to go over some sheet music.

Blue Christmas

Last Christmas, I received presents for two. Something for me, and something for the Maestra. When I brought them home, she was surprised but grateful that even though she had no time to visit the Klub, her old friends still cared about her.

It would have been a Christmas for three this year...but it's just me.

As I shop, I come across things that I would have bought for them. A journal with a blue leather cover, for when notes would strike her in the middle of the day. A handmade infant-sized pillow on which a sweet, elderly woman would have embroidered his name.

The woman asked me if there was anyone special in my life for whom she could customize one of her wooly, knitted items. I was about to say no, when I saw a black scarf with thin white stripes woven into it lengthwise. I picked it up and asked her if she could embroider the initials "FS" onto one end. She smilingly obliged and bade me to sit down to watch, if I wanted. I still had quite a bit of shopping to do, but I did sit down, and I observed as her knobby, leathery fingers begin to steadily knit the letter "F" with red yarn. She wanted to know if this "FS" was perhaps my sweetheart. I laughed and said no, that she was only a close friend.

Her conversation revealed to me that she was 76 years old, and had outlived three husbands, four children, and dozens of friends. She herself did not expect to see another Hanukkah, but she took comfort in the fact that she had lived through enough happy ones to last a lifetime. Though sadly, they are all but memories to her now.

When she was finished, I paid her a little extra, and she wished me a joyful Christmas.

The rest of the women on my list:
For Ophilia, a pair of red lace gloves. Maybe not very practical for winter weather, but I think they're sexy anyway.
For Fantine, a rather oversized hardcover book containing photos of works of art, both paintings and sculptures, from famous museums around the world.
I bought a nice rose earring and pin set for Dolores. The appearance of the delicate roses may seem less "severe" than she's used to, so I hope she'll like it.
For Fraulein Kost, a beaded anklet.
For little Helga, a silver bird pendant with a violet crystal.

And now, the men:
I found a jazz record for Danny, by a German group called Die Goldene Sieben [The Golden Seven].
Hans was a little difficult to shop for, but since I have not seen him with a warm hat, I decided to get him a tweed cap.
As for Adam, I thought he might like a stylish cigarette case.
I really had no idea what to buy for Victor, but I saw this print of a horn player and thought he might like to have it for his new room.

And with that, my Christmas shopping is done.