Dragonfly by Jax Hill 

Torstein looked out at the audience and said. “What time is it? Is it midnight yet?”

“A couple minutes,” Ferdy called back.

“We didn’t miss it then.” He stood up. “Stand up, everyone, let’s ring in the new year. If you want to, join hands. Take the hand of someone next to you. Doesn’t matter if you know them or like them or dislike them, just reach out.”

Everyone stood, and hands were stretched out to one another. Sully and Tartan had fallen asleep, but otherwise everyone seemed to be holding on to someone. I’m pretty sure I even saw J. Clayton Berger standing with the Dunkers, with his wife and kids there beside him.

“I won’t always be here,” Torstein said. “My journey could be over very soon, and perhaps even very violently, and my best friends might be so terrified they’ll want to forget they even knew me. But that won’t matter, because what I’ve told you here is still true, and it will work, whether I am here or not — as long as you remember it, and practice it, and love one another.

“Happy new year, my friends. Choose to make this year count. Not by the money you make, the clothes you wear, the vacations you take, the awards you win ... but by the way you choose to spend your time and share your treasures. By the way you choose to treat the people least able to help or reward you. Show your quality. Show your love! Happy new year!”

The entire audience called back enthusiastically, “Happy new year!” Then they let go of each others’ hands and cheered, applauded, for several minutes.

Torstein grinned, and sat back down. People started to file out, chatting with each other, hugging each other. A few came forward to speak with Torstein. I heard Sig whistle for Tartan, who immediately jumped up and bounded through the crowd to him, and they slipped away. I wondered what had been happening with Sig’s case. Clearly Tartan’s leg had healed all right.

Torstein stood and started moving the people who’d come to meet him toward the back of the hall and then through the side door. We’d told Bruiser’s friend our party would end at five after midnight, and he was anxious to lock up. He thanked us for helping him clean up after the gala. Then he said to Bruiser, “You buy all that?” Obviously he meant “all that” talk about love being stronger than hate.

“Sure,” Bruiser said. “Look at me. You know what I was before.”

“Guy making a living, same as me.”

“Not quite the same. But yes, I believe it. Any time you want to know more, we’re always on the street, or in the park in the afternoons. Come on by sometime.”

We thanked him for the use of the hall, then stepped out onto the street. In the park now they were setting off the big finale of fireworks, and Sully was jumping up and down and shouting at every new burst of color in the sky. Torstein still had a crowd of people around him, but they were all standing and staring up at the display.

When the final thunder rolled and we were left blinking at the chalky residue of the rockets carried on the black night, Maggie picked up Sully and said it was time for him to be home in bed. Tawny and Marigold had arrived in Maggie’s car, so they began to leave with her. Franz managed to catch a quick kiss before they started on their way, and held Tawny’s hand as he walked them to their car.

Bruiser called to Torstein, “We’re heading home. Thanks for the terrible party!”

Torstein’s laugh rang out, and I looked at him, at the streetlights glinting off his electric green coat, at the new friends eager to have a word with him, at his rag-tag band of followers that included me and my brother ... and I knew: I would never forget this New Year’s Eve. With the worst party in the world, Torstein had created the most memorable of New Year’s Eves.

Suddenly I started laughing, too, and I grabbed Torstein around his shoulders from behind, to hug him, lifting him off his feet by pressing him back against me.

“Hey get off!” he hollered, laughing still.

“You can do the impossible, my friend,” I said when I put him down. “Happy new year!”

“Happy new year, Andy,” he said, and he motioned to the people around him that I was a crazy man and should be humored. “See ya tomorrow.”