new york, new york

chapter 48

But we didn't talk about it. Weeks passed by. I had got a job. I was writing articles about headlines they gave to me. It wasn't much of fun, but it brought me name and money. Isn't that what we all are looking for?

With AJ it was as before. I didn't tell even to him about Oliver. I just couldn't. Even if I knew that Helen was still touring with them and according to Howie they were doing great. Tour was heavy; they had more work in Europe they thought. I could have told them that, but it wouldn't have changed anything.

I didn't tell Oliver about AJ. I felt bad because of keeping such secret from him, but how was I going to explain it? I trusted Oliver, but I was worried how he might feel if he knew that he followed one of the greatest pop stars in the country. I gave myself many good excuses.

One morning Oliver was making coffee as I was glancing the newspaper trough.
-Should I call Jacob? I asked. -He has been writing good news lately.
-Is there any good news in papers these days?
-He seems to find ones. Maybe I'll e-mail him later.
Oliver gave me a cup of coffee.
-I might be little jealous of your relationship with Jacob, he said laughter in his voice.
-Oh no. He's just this... over thirty freak with dark voice and great talent.
-I'm glad you don't find him appealing.
-But you I do.
I reached over the table to give him a kiss.
-Have you heard anything about your brother lately?
-Peter?
-I thought you had only one brother, I reminded.
-He called some nights ago. Mom spoke with him. They are all fine. Getting closer to San Francisco.
I sighed: -And I promised to be there.
-Well, it's not completely out of picture. You know Jennifer lives there, maybe we could visit her at the same time when Killing Feet are in town.
-That sounds a plan for me. I'm getting restless again.
I didn't have to look at Oliver to know that he had noticed it.
-Maybe little trip would do good for both of us.
I hadn't completely got over he calling us we all the time. I think it hadn't so much to do with AJ than me being so long on my own and alone.
-I guess so.
Oliver checked the time.
-I have to go to work. But I'll see you tonight, right?
-Tonight? What's up tonight?
-It's our anniversary. Well, kind of. We've been together for three months now.
-We have? Oh. Where are you going to take me?
-It's a surprise. Have a great day. Just be ready at six.
-What should I wear?
-Whatever you want. Or maybe nothing at all...
I stuck my tongue at Oliver.
-Go now. You don't want to be late.
-It wouldn't be first time, he said and came to give me a kiss.

When he had left I got to think. I looked the date on the paper. September 18th. Should I call AJ? They were supposed to be back soon. Then what would I do? I probably couldn't live in his apartment any longer. Well, maybe it's better not to remind him of fact that I had taken all over his place.

Months had passed in a hurry. It felt like yesterday that I had been dancing in a club with other tappers. And coming here for the second time to meet AJ. Moving here. And then Oliver... Was it really three months ago? I took my cup and headed to my study. I still had to made some changes to my book and I hated it, because every time I changed a word of a chapter I remembered how I had read it for the first time to the boys. It felt like changing your past. I only wish I could do that!

Door slammed.
-Are you ready?
Oliver came in and saw me staring empty screen.
-Why? What time is it?
-It's half past six.
He looked around.
-I thought why you didn't call me already, I'm late. But this is the reason.
Sheets were all over the table.
-I'm sorry, I said. -I just can't write anything right now... I have deadline tomorrow. And all I've done today is staring this blinking cursor exactly on the top of the screen.
-Sounds familiar. What's the subject?
-It doesn't matter. What did you have in your mind?
Oliver pulled out chair and came sit next to me.
-You can't lose your work. We can do that later.
-That? I teased him. -Are you sure you can wait?
-Now, concentrate, he said hursly. -What's the subject?

Two hours later I had my article written.
-Now what? I asked and turned to see Oliver.
-Go get a shower. I'll try to get table for us, we go out to eat.
-Wonderful! I'm starving.
-So you'd better hurry.

Dinner was delightful. As I saw Oliver there in front of me I knew how much I loved him. I whispered him that. He took my hand.
-I love you too, he said.
It was one of those rare times when it was all easy.

We were walking in the nightly street of New York. It was crispy cold, stars were shining bright in the sky. I could look at them in safe as Oliver was holding my hand; I knew I couldn't fall.
-What do you want to do now? he asked.
-I don't know, I pulled him to turn. -Somehow I feel like dancing.
-Oh no!
I laughed at his face. Oliver wasn't big fan of dancing. He enjoyed watching it and we often went to see some off-Broadway shows, but when it was his time to go to the dance floor... Well, he was like an elephant in a porcelain store.
-Come on... It's our night. I want to dance with you.
-Umm... All right. How's that?
He turned and showed me a club I haven't been before.
-We have to have little adventure in our lives, don't we.
He took me with him and walked towards the club.

As we got in I had deja vu. Well, it wasn't a real deja vu because I knew I had been there before.
-Are you sure you want to stay in here? I quietly asked from Oliver when we went in. -This doesn't look a place for us.
-What's there to complain? People look nice, music is good... What else you can wish?
-That I'd be somewhere else instead, I wanted to say but kept my mouth shut. Once again how could I tell that I had been there without knowing being there? So I let Oliver to lead me to the table.

As it was regular Thursday night, club wasn't full. They played R&B and some couples were dancing. I had to admit that atmosphere was pleasant. Little different than last time I had been there though. I looked around and saw booth we had had. Memories washed all over me. But suddenly it was like clear; they were memories. Nothing more. I didn't want to go back, I wanted to be there with Oliver to celebrate our three months together. And many more ahead.

But can you expect my life to be easy? As I was drowning to Oliver's eyes, I saw fuzz at the back door. And there they came. Why the hell didn't he call me he was back in town?

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