new york, new york

chapter 38

Nothing radical happened. Few days later AJ replied to my mail, he wrote usual stuff and didn�t ever refer to the lyrics of that song. So we mailed back and forth, I told him about my days and he gave me exact descriptions of hotels they were staying. Sometimes he mentioned something about Helen but most of the time we didn�t talk about other people.

A month turned into May and sun was shining more and more. And I had to admit that I was getting restless. It scared me. I really thought I was happy with my life. Still morning after morning it got harder to get up and go to work. In the evenings I wanted to stay up till the sunrise but I had to force myself to bed. I had finally finished my story, and I didn�t know what else to do. I had ideas but none of them last that long that I would have written them down.

So one day I called to Peter.
-Anna? Is it really you?
-Yeah.
-What�s up girl? You vanished once again. I got some mails right after you left but then... nothing.
-I know, I�m sorry. Listen, how are you doing?
-We? We�re fine. Touring is hell, as you well know, but we manage that. What about you?
-I�m okay.
-Just okay?
-Peter.
-Sorry. Just that you sound little blue.
-I don�t know, maybe I am. You know, I have a great life in here, my parents near to me, a good job, good friends and happy city but still... It�s all coming back.
-You used to be so worried about where you belong. But Anna, what if you don�t belong anywhere? I do know that this life isn�t easy but you fitted in here. I�m sure you fit there too, and thousands of other places. Maybe it�s time for you to try something new.
-But what? I just can�t leave once again and loose everything I had here.
-You can if you have to.
-And where would I go? I don�t mean to upset you but I really can�t take that anymore. Thought of being in the same car or room with Nikki makes me sick.
-Tell me about it, Peter said. -Hey, you know what? You liked it in NYC didn�t you? When you were with those tappers?
-Yeah. But I can�t use their place again.
-You don�t need to! You could stay at my mom�s at first.
-Peter are you sure? Your mom?
-She needs some company. Please, you would do so huge favor for me.
-I don�t know. I have to think about it. Don�t tell her anything yet, it�s anyway going to take about a month to arrange everything in here.
-Just take your time. But remember, dreams are for making those real.
-Peter, I think I love you.
-Thanks, just don�t tell that to Ricky.
-I won�t. I�ll call you in couple of days.

My mom got really upset when I told her that I would leave again.
-What about your school? You aren�t going to apply anywhere?
-Mom I already did and you know what happened.
I still haven�t got in to the school I wanted.
-There are other possibilities, my mom reminded me.
-Yes, and one if them is this. I�m leaving in two weeks.
She shook her head, not willing to believe it. But I couldn�t help myself. As soon as Peter gave me an opportunity, I hang to it. Three days later I told my boss I would quit. She took it quite all right, welcomed me back if I�d ever feel like it. I doubted it. In many ways I had a feeling that this trip would last longer. Now I didn�t have to hurry home. My home is where my heart is. And then it was out there running so fast I didn�t know how to catch it.

-So you�re that mysterious girl from Europe, Peter�s mom hugged me and I felt home at once. -It�s so great to finally meet you! Peter has told me so much about you.
-How nice of him, I said. -And thank you Mrs. Sand that you let me live here.
-Oh, call me Charlene! And it�s so good to have someone around here. All my children have flied out to the world, but I got used to having boys and girls around. Now it�s so quiet sometimes. Would you like some tea?
-Wouldn�t you have something cold instead? It�s pretty hot outside.
-What? New York in June. You don�t know anything about hot! You have been here before, haven�t you?
-Yes, last fall, but I came in the mid of September.
-What would you know about life in NYC then? Summer is the best. And it�s getting better. Put you bags there, I�ll show you your room later. So how about ice-tea?
-That would be nice.
I sat down to the big table. Mrs. Sand - Charlene dashed about the tea. Her eyes twinkled and I knew I would have a pleasant time with her. Finally she sat across me.
-So. What are you going to do in here?
I tasted the drink. -This is delicious.
-Thank you.
-I really don�t know for sure. I guess I should write. Did Peter tell that I write?
She nodded.
-Well, I just sent my other text to several publishers in Finland, hope that will turn out something, it�s going to take time of course. I have some savings but I think eventually I have to get a job.
-How long are you going to stay?
-I don�t know at all. My mom would want me to go back even now.
-That�s how moms are. I would like to have all my kids in here so I could watch them.
-So you have two boys and...?
-One daughter. Peter you know, Jennifer lives in San Francisco and Peter�s bigbrother is working in Europe right now. He should be back in few months. That�s one reason I�m asking your schedules. He may want to stay in here, and I don�t have that much room, you know?
I looked around. -I understand. This was supposed to be temporary solution.
-Oh no, I don�t mind at all if you�d stay for a year! Just that I want you to be aware of things that could happen. I�m not going to kick you out on the street, if that�s what you�re afraid.
-Well, that�s good to hear.

Later I was looking around in my room. It was relatively large, there was a bed, desk, small TV and door to my own bathroom.
-I know it�s not much, Charlene said when she opened the door.
-Oh! This is delightful!
I fell in love with it instantly. It was mixture of new and old with great taste. Even the view from my window was hopelessly romantic. It was a narrow valley and in the end of it grew a large three. Trough the leaves you could see a peek of blue, there was the sea. I felt strangely calm.
I started to unpack my bags. When I was done, room looked a little bit more like me. Laptop laid on the table closed. Next to that were all the photos from home. I saw a family picture on the wall. There was two adults, apparently mom and dad and four kids. I tried to guess which one of them was Peter. I thought about calling him but one look to the clock made me change my mind, it was two hours past midnight. Would he ever believe that he was growing more and more to be like his father?

I was walking to my dance class when I heard a yell behind me.
-Anna! Anna! Is it you? Wait up!
I stopped. And sighed. I had chosen unknown dance studio because I wanted to remain my status incognito in the town. But that seemed impossible. Avi hurried to me. He looked like Norwegian ski-jumper.
-Hey! You�re still in New York!
-No, not still. I actually got here week ago.
-Why didn�t you call? Listen, I�m in hurry now, but we should talk. I though you were touring with the boys but obviously...
-A lot happened. I just don�t want to miss my class.
-You don�t have to. Just promise to call me. Or even better, why wouldn�t you stop by tonight? Ben would die to meet you.
-OK, I gave up. -You still got the same address?
-Sure. All right, be there about... seven. Does that sound like what?
-Good.

Five minutes past seven I stood on the street. I was late �cause I couldn�t get a cab and I had to take the train. I pushed the button on the doorbell.
-Yeah? metallic, crackling voice asked.
-It�s me, Anna, would you let me in?
The door buzzed and I opened it.

I went up and Ben was on the door waiting for me.
-There you are! I didn�t believe when Avi told me that he saw you. How are you?
We hugged.
-I�m fine, now. Wow, what have you done with this?
Apartment was totally looking different since I had been there.
-We wanted to repair it a little. And this is what it became.
I looked around.
-It sure looks great. And so like... you!
-Thanks. Come on in.
-Do you mind if I take my shoes off?
-No not at all. We all know how much you hate those.
-Well, that�s an information to spread around.
We went to a small dining-room there was. It was actually part of kitchen, and then there was a small living room and in one corner a king-size bed. A compatible city home.
Avi was cooking and delicious smells came out of his pots. But then there was someone else sitting on the table.

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