Today’s Fiction Friday is about the things you meant at midnight on new years, but that maybe didn’t last. Like breaking your resolution in the first week or not surviving the first month. You meant to, you wanted to make it work, but it just… didn’t work out the way you planned and hoped for.

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Tweety with Sly, Winter 2010

“Working on that draft again?” Sly came in with a crate of bar fruits and found Tweety in her notebook.

“Hmm? Oh yeah, you can say that.” 

Tweety seemed distracted, so Sly peered over the bar and read the headline of that page. He didn’t know what New Year’s in California meant, as Tweety had spent all her holidays in Soulful, ever since she moved into the bar.

“Is that a Bebe and Nira story? Am I going to regret you telling me it and want to wash something in the bar again?” Sly tried to pry the information out, all while prepping the fruit for drinks. “Or is it more of your goals for the year?”

Tweety laughed after nearly coughing up the last of her coffee sip. Sly caught her off guard and was kind enough to refill her mug. 

“No, surprisingly those two make me regret summer the most. Maybe it’s Christmas magic that carries over or that it’s just too cold for all the crazy, but they kinda behave for new years.” Her hands went around the mug to stay warm and in the thoughts she wasn’t saying. “You could say this was one of those intentions for a year that didn’t hold up long after midnight. I don’t regret that it happened but it’s also not worth retelling in the book or the bar.”  

New Year’s Eve 2009 into 2010

“I know we’ve been celebrating every hour, but in ten minutes it’s our turn!” Tweety jiggled around, her sparkly dress blinking in the lights like any new year’s ball waiting to drop. “Midnight east coast time, so get your drinks ready, and find where you want to be. I’m sure our in house band will do us the honor of rocking into the new year?”

“We don’t want to be anywhere else, and we modified a few songs just for tonight. This year is our year as a group, thanks to the support found here. Now only if we could get a round of something to toast with?”

The show stopping lead singer Brandon again flirted with the crowded bar, and Tweety’s in charge nature.

She smiled, trying not to let her general frustration with Brandon show to anyone. 

“Of course! The ten minute warning is a great time to top up your drinks. Bouncer Bebe is walking around with various noise makers if you want some. Our wait staff is making the rounds so that we make sure everyone is prepared to celebrate together.” 

A moment of Vanna White like arm displays made Tweety giggle. “Thank you for choosing Soul as your New Year kick off place. We are ever so grateful to you all. We also hope that we have lived up to our reputations, and given you the excitement promised. I am humbled by how fast we grow as a business, and it’s thanks to all of you. At least one of our new year’s resolutions is to continue doing what makes us your go to place, and expanding the family we have become!”

Bebe broke in, spinning one of her noise makers above her head. “Aw Tweets, how sweet! I resolve to come up with new and interesting ways to accidentally be the floor show, when Nira and I are simply trying to get a rise out of Tweety. If anyone has new ideas about whipped cream, be sure to share them when I come by.”

With that conversation shift, Tweety went back to working on the bar orders, along with the band’s request. Conversations started up again, some exactly as she intended, discussing what could possibly be next for the bar. There sounded to be another year of growing business by word of mouth and antics ahead. Tweety thrived on the crowds, and her hard earned reputation for remembering just about everyone who came more than once.

That had been one of the founding elements of her style, and it was what made the customers come back again. The remaining antics and other cast of characters kept them there for hours.

Tweety’s role as hostess was to make you feel welcomed and remember your drink. The perfect unattainable flirt. Talking her into a date or more was just as exciting as gambling on high risks to others. Instead, she gained a small rep for being an ice breaker match maker.

All of that she wore with pride, and promised she would not lose that, no matter what happened.

As she made her way to the stage, dropping off extra snacks along the way, Tweety had to pause at what she dubbed the music table. Martin, a record label worker and somewhat manager of the band on stage, called out his resolution.

“I feel it Tweet. This is the year I get you to come work for me so that I can get these outstanding martinis anytime!”

Her bubbly laughter mixed with the beginning of the band’s next song. It made Tweety wiggle her hips and shimmy backwards towards the stage. “Keep dreaming big, Martin. You pieced together a good band in a month. Who am I to tell you you’re more than likely wrong, right?”

Martin’s confusion kept her spirits up, the smile stretched across her face. Moments like this, so full of happiness and feeling alive, were what Tweety craved most.

She deposited the band’s drinks across the stage as they played the first of their modified new year songs. Water bottle and snacks for Scotty the drummer to the little stool by him. A twirl to the beat and she was at the table the two guitarists and lead singer shared.

The trouble with Tweety enjoying the moment? She’d let her guard down for just a fraction of a second and didn’t know where in “let’s start the new year right” Brandon was.

Until the lead singer twisted her and kissed Tweety twice.

The first one was a surprise; one moment she focused on the orders and the band members they go to. The next, Tweety heard “out” and an arm tipped her backwards. An act like that was how Woods first kissed her for Halloween. And a small part of her hoped he was doing it again for their midnight kiss. Except it was Brandon whose face forced itself on her.

Brandon turned away a moment to sing the next line in the song, one that still talked about kissing, so Tweety turned her face away. The second kiss got her on the cheek. Never mind the ding to her reputation, she needed damage control or else every Tom Dick and Harry would attempt this silly trick on her way back across the vast space between the stage and the bar.

Brandon tried to hang on to her, but Tweety wiggled out of his reach. Then she didn’t turn away from the crowd when she wiped her cheek off. A head shake to show her displeasure. Then the lyrics gave her a gift, talking about saying goodbye. So Tweety rolled her eyes and exaggerated a goodbye wave to Brandon.

Her eyes flicked to Woods of their own accord. He didn’t seem to notice or care about what just happened. Unless Woods would stay professional while on stage, no matter what? 

The shine of the magical night dimmed for her. Not that Tweety could ever show something that felt less than sparkly. Instead, she backed away from Brandon and slipped off the stage. 

Sly didn’t even need to ask. He’d stuck two cupcakes and a soda on a tray, next to a damp cloth and napkins. Then he pointed to the tray on the back part of the bar. There were many reasons why Sly was fast becoming her right hand guy, least of which was his being a kind of mind reader.

Tweety turned away from the crowd, as Bebe rallied them and made herself the center of attention. That head bouncer scared Brandon as easily as she terrified others, so it was easier for Bebe to not lose control of the massive amount of people. Tweety inhaled a cupcake while Bebe talked. By the time Bebe started the midnight count down, Tweety had moved on to wiping her lips and cheek clean. She turned back and joined the crowd at 5. 

Cheers erupted with noisemakers and even a sort of drum roll from Scotty.

Even Brandon waited for his cue from Bebe. When they got it, the band slipped into an easy version of “this will be our year.” It came across as encouraging and hopeful, but soft enough that people could celebrate in their own ways.

Tweety saluted with her drink, same as those around her, clinking glasses and loudly passing on new year wishes. 

The celebrations and guests finally started to wear down after another two hours or so. Most of the band packed up too, as if anything after two am could be too late into the night. Which was fine with Tweety, who still had to serve the remaining people. Many of the customers opted for Soulful’s overnight option.

The Soulful building had an impressively historic past. At one point it was a factory, another incarnation made it into a speak easy. The co-owner Gus had it since the sixties at least, and Gus’ own hands created all the stained glass windows that still shone in the windows. 

Somewhere along the way, the upper floors became living spaces. And Soulful staff never let you leave too drunk for your own good. You either got a room for the night, or the designated cab service would take you home safely. Two bouncers sat on the doors for this reason. One to card the incoming, another to put people in cabs if they slipped past the inside staff.

Still, Soulful never really closed, only thinned out, so to speak. 

Sly ran the overnight shift, Tweety only worked most of the day until she wore out, or the people left. Either way, she was running out of night. 

Tweety didn’t notice it right away, but Woods snuck up on the table she cleaned.

“You can ask someone else to do that, luv.”

“I didn’t think you were still here, Woods. I’ve only got a few more, and then I can leave for the night, since everyone crashed out early.” 

Tweety spoke while she wiped until Woods stepped in and stopped her. He tossed the rag in Sly’s direction and the darkly dressed night ninja smoothly caught it as if he didn’t move at all.

“Don’t burn all that energy out winding down that way. Besides, I missed my chances all night, I’m not missing it this time Trouble.”

His pet name for her. Tweety smiled despite herself. Only Woods dared to call her such a thing. Everyone else held Tweety up on some sweet angelic marry that girl pedestal. But Woods? He brought out the darker side of Tweety. To know her so well and push her limits in all the best ways. She loved him so much sometimes it hurt.

So, Tweety held Woods’ hand as he led them outside to a little table he’d cleaned up for them. A shot glass stood at each seat, and a pad live streamed some place mentioning it was a few minutes to midnight. 

Being the perfect English gentleman, he seated her first, complete with wrapping a blanket around her shoulders. Not one to just be tender, Woods scooted his chair closer, and wrapped his arms around her too. Just for a little bit, while Tweety warmed up.

“Does my Troublesome Tweety have any new year’s resolutions?”

“Besides the usual world domination, you mean?” Tweety looked up at Woods, dislodging his chin from the top of her head. “I will try to be a better Tweety. I am the hostess with the most-est, but that shouldn’t be the most trouble with men assuming my life for me. I should work on what my long-term plans are. Half the time I feel like I’m just fending guys off.” 

As Tweety rambled on, she remembered an instance from earlier in the night and paused her speech. “That reminds me. I should probably apologize for what happened with your lead singer. Brandon is the first one since the move of bars to get away with such a stunt. Not once, but twice! I didn’t even realize he was setting me up for that, and my timing walked right into it…”

Woods stopped her explanation with a kiss that stopped her mind. The kind of passionate kissing that made Tweety forget her name.

When Woods pulled away, she had trouble hearing his words through her haze. 

“Brandon was bragging about something like that all during prep and practice. I didn’t realize it would be you until he called for drinks we didn’t really need. By then, it was too late. Martin isn’t the only one with plans for you, luv.”

Tweety’s eyes widened. Shock and a little confusion creased her brow. In a small voice, humble and purely curious, she wondered out loud. “How many resolutions do you think I have to worry were about me?”

“Don’t concern yourself with that.” Woods moved to smooth the lines on her forehead. “I’m not worried luv, I know how many have resolutions revolving around you. I have them too.” His fingers traced down her brow to her cheek. “The difference is that mine might come true.”

“All your dreams are coming true this year, Woods, because you put in the hard work to make anything happen, and I believe in you.” Her eyes shone with pride for him, and memories of the first time they met when Woods looked at her this intensely. 

He’d been a musician on the brink of quitting. A hard man, using his sex appeal to try to overwhelm her. Tweety never intended on telling Woods just how much he had. But if it wasn’t for him, for that moment, Tweety would never have become who she was. 

Woods simply didn’t need the extra ego boost though.

Tweety truly believed in Woods’ talent taking him everywhere. All the hard work he put in, all the effort to get him out of a bad situation, and then some? Woods could be sad sometimes, but he overcame the obstacles time and time again.

Caressing her cheek, Woods only had one dream left to make serious progress with, and his hands were on it. Love, admiration, and intrigue broke through his rock god persona. 

Only his foxy vixen, the troubling Tweety, could keep Woods on his toes and balanced. His muse and his dancer. His light and happy, with just enough dark edges. Tweety mirrored Woods, just as much as they complimented each other.

“It’s all because of you, Trouble. Without you, I would be a bitter and desperate dreamer too. Half the time I don’t believe the luck that netted me you, the most popular waitress in this entire bar. You and me together can conquer the world, luv. But only if that is your desire too. I will always follow your lead as much as you follow mine…”

Woods leaned forward just enough to clearly plan on kissing her, but stopped there. There was so much meaning in what he said. Woods did not plan to push this, push her. He knew his absences made it harder on Tweety. She was always willing to fall right back into it with him, so long as Woods took his verbal lumps and stuck around as long as he could manage. 

Local touring and studio time didn’t make it easy.

But Tweety always did. Easy to talk to, easy to relax around, easy to love, and so much more than easy on the eyes.

Agonized by waiting, Tweety didn’t know if the countdown was really out loud or all in her head. But she leaned in and kissed Woods with her usual rough passion that he received and slowed down. He always took it slow, whereas she moved fast. 

This was about the only activity that the dynamic worked as such. Usually Tweety had the overabundance of caution. Woods scared her as much as he pushed her to greater places. They truly felt like equals, and understood each other’s need to put on a show for the public while relaxing in private.

Tweety was halfway into Wood’s lap, the blanket falling off one side before the music inevitably pulled her back to her senses.

“Is that auld lang syne?”

Woods’ warm chuckle made Tweety blush. Nodding, he wondered if he was out of practice, if that didn’t work the way he planned. “Yes, luv. It’s midnight in California. And that was one hell of a new year’s kiss.”

Woods winked at her in the sexiest way, making Tweety grab the glass in front of her for her sudden thirst. She downed the shot and coughed a little, making Woods laugh all the more. It made her smile despite her embarrassment. The man was an even more outrageous flirt than she was!

“So much for a toast to our health, huh luv?”

A wicked gleam twinkled in Woods’ eyes before he downed his shot and moved to kiss Tweety again. The kiss started to end when Woods slipped some of the liquor into her mouth, but he gently held Tweety’s head steady and encouraged her to share the shot while kissing him.

When they finally came up for air, Tweety was in Woods’ lap. The blanket covered them both, and yet she had the pinkest cheeks ever.

Woods loved those moments, when Tweety forgot herself with him, and really let loose.

Tired yet re-energized, Tweety snuggled into Woods. She didn’t dare look up at him or else she wouldn’t be bold enough. “In my family, we used to believe that how you spent the beginning of the new year was how you would spend the whole year.”

Woods adjusted her to look down into Tweety’s face. “Is that so luv? I should absolutely continue this theory, and whisk you off to bed to show you exactly how we can spend the next 365 days…”

The wicked promise in his tone, mixed with the sincerity of his words, turned her blush darker. And yet, it drew her out, as Tweety flicked her gaze to Woods. “Bath first?”

Woods nodded as he scooped her up. “Of course luv. I know my Trouble is just as dangerous in water as you are out of it.” He carried Tweety back thru the bar, both of them ignoring the glances their way. “Every night should start with a hot bath, music in the speakers, your feet in my hands. Working my way up…”

Tweety put a hand over his mouth, making Woods mumble as he weaved them thru the remaining tables. Only when they were closer to the stairs, did she finally let him speak again.

Leaning down, Woods groaned near her ear. “I love when you tease me luv. Especially when my massage reaches your thighs and you’re in my lap…”

Tweety moaned in response, until it turned into a whimper at being put down. It wasn’t for long, as Woods carried her again after he opened the door.

The click closed came with the thud of a good lock.