NEW BEGINNINGS.. Copyright 1.1.2010

Flora was already three sheets to the wind, chatting up Ralph the drummer in their son's band. Her husband eyed her warily as he chatted to their guests at their new year's party. They had decided to make a go of their marriage and had told the counselor of their lengthy discussions and momentous decisions about making a new beginning. Eric thought ruefully that Flora was already quite distant from any new beginning as she was only too obviously enjoying her old way of life and going at it full tilt.
She had been fine upstairs, full of the recent vows. He had gazed lovingly at her as she sat at her dressing table. With hope in his heart, he clasped a river of sapphires about her neck. She smiled radiantly at him in the mirror. "Oh darling" she said, "it's a new year, we can do it, we can begin again." He had succumbed to her extravagant beauty. She was totally woman, a magnificent example and the public who saw only their outer show, loved them both for their shining example of success.
"Will you come down with me to greet our guests?" he had asked.
"Oh, darling, you go down first. Check all is well with the hired staff. Make sure they have enough chilled champagne. I need a few minutes just to get myself together. Put on the finishing touches as it were," she laughed.
Eric thought now that it must have been in those few minutes that she took something, probably a snort or two of coke. She was brilliant now, shining, her eyes startling and diamond-like. She attracted people and was maybe a little piqued that Ralph was not responding as all the others always did. In fact, Eric could see that Ralph was looking decidedly flustered. After all he was just eighteen and the woman could easily be his mother. In fact, she was the mother of his mate. He was dying of embarrassment.
Eric knew then it was going to be a long evening. He knew too that there would be no new beginnings next day, next week, ever. He thought to himself: would that I were rid of her.