Where I've Been

It might be the pint of Liberty Ale at 1:30 pm on what should be a work day. It might just be California, where I am so sure I belong, what with an Anchor Brewing Co. bar-restaurant across from a Peet's Coffee in a lousy airport. But most likely I want the world to be very tender, as I am rushing back to New Jersey to see my very sick mom. The help at the Anchor Brewing bar are all oohing and ahhing over a little bar-top Christmas tree, and one of the employess proudly beams, "I did it--I made these," fingering Anchor coasters she's hole-punched and beribbonned into ornaments. And the tree is beautiful in a way no stupid two-foot tree decorated with beer ornaments can be and the woman, who is now back washing glasses, just doing her job, is nearly full of more Christmas than I can bear.