This year, I decide instead to invite my co-workers.
But then, Alexander tells me he's coming home, and I think it will be nice to just hang out with him.
So I dis-invite my co-workers. Nice, I know.
But then, Alexander makes his own plans for Christmas Day and they don't include me.
And so, last minute I invite some friends over.
2pm for Manchester By the Sea; 4:45 movie TBD
In past years, few people have accepted. Both last year and the year before, only three people show up for the first movie and four for the second.
But this year, nine people say yes.
I talk to M this morning. I am not a comfortable hostess, as it's not something I do naturally. M is hosting 24 people for a full course Christmas dinner. I am probably more nervous than she is. And her menu includes shrimp, some roasted appetizers, a beef tenderloin, vegetables, mashed potatoes, and multiple desserts.
My menu is a pedestrian one.
Yesterday I go to Costco and pick up giant sized bags of popcorn. Veggie chips. Chex mix. Some diet coke. Lindt chocolates. And mixed butter cookies.
My guests bring fruit, wine, and more sweets.
I get the picture-taking out of the way early, before Alexander runs off.
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| l. to r. front row: Robyn, Estelle (Robyn's mom), Shari l to r back row: Jill, Carol, Linda and me |
It takes awhile to sort out the seating, but by 2:30 we begin watching Manchester By the Sea. It's extraordinarily sad, with a subtle, intense performance by Casey Affleck.
The second movie, Captain Fantastic, is entertaining and much lighter.
By 8:30, my guests have left, my apartment's clean, my son is home, and my house is filled with millions of calories in junk food. My doormen are going to love me.
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