Memoirs: Things Like That Never Happened

It was the last full day of my adventure to New York City. I loved the city and was nowhere near ready to leave. All the different people, cultures, and food: it perplexed me as to how anyone could not enjoy all the wonderful elements of a place with so much life.

Today, though sadly the last time I could take pleasure in my paradise, was going to be a good day. Just being with Sarah and Kamilla would guarantee that. So, as I rode the train from Rye to Grand Central Station, I was filled with excitement, though my exhausted body refused to allow me to show it. After the train, a ten-block walk was in store for me. I didn’t mind though. There was so much to look at.

With my expressionless face, I approached a group of men being led out of a UPS looking truck, one that lacked any logos. Their handcuffs assured me that they were not involved in the delivery business. I didn’t take much mind of them until I was in front of the group and my skin began to feel the pressure of all their eyes.

“Don’t forget to smile for me, Baby,” one of them said, a charming smile lighting up his dark brown face when my eyes met his gaze. Whatever this man may have done in his forty or so years of life for society to label him as a convict, in that moment, it didn’t matter.

“I’ll try,” I replied with a short giggle, giving him the grin he asked for.

“Aight, have a good day!” He bid me.

“You too!” As I walked on, confidence added to my step, I began to remember to smile for even the most angry city walker. Men going out of their way to make my day: that never happened.
As I neared the hotel Sarah and Kamilla were staying at, I decided to call them, realizing I had not yet warned them I was close. A short conversation with Sarah resulted in my having to kill twenty minutes. As there was always a Starbucks within a block radius from any position, I decided to waste time there, getting a coffee to wake me up.

Choosing a drink was constantly a chore. Of course I often wanted the sweetest, most fattening drink, but the mental guild of having such a treat was not worth it. Because the day felt special though, I decided to go for the middle ground. A Mocha was tastier than a regular coffee, but had a slightly lower calorie count than the rest of the menu. With my coffee I searched for a seat, bitterly staring down at the drink I didn’t really want. It was a sad truth that I would deny myself my desires simply to make sure I looked good to men I didn’t even know. Even worse, I was not one of those girls who was often told my sacrifices were paying off.

Sarah and Kamilla took longer than the twenty minutes they promised, but eventually joined me at my table in Starbucks. We discussed options as to what to do for the rest of the day, finally deciding that, after a short stop in So Ho, Cooney Island was our best idea.

The three of us ventured out into the streets of New York, making our way towards the Times Square subway station. We passed face after face, taking no more notice of the strangers than they did of us, that is until one face stood out from the crowd in a crosswalk.

I picked up my pace slightly, as to stand out slightly more to him from my two female friends. He was a attractive young man, standing around six foot two with deep, chocolate brown eyes, a pair of large lips, and his curly black hair cut close to his scalp. Exactly my type. With my confidence meter still running high, I dared to look straight at him, even when he noticed my eyes staring at him. I even felt strong enough to keep the eye lock we had engaged in for longer than the socially accepted half a second. He challenged me with a smile, one I returned before raising my eyebrows at him.

“Damn girl!” It was straight out of a movie. He made a point to pivot as he walked just to continue to watch me, but I was so in shock any man would ever take such notice of me, I couldn’t even udder a response. I glanced back once, but continued to walk across the street, letting the opportunity pass. I didn’t mind though, his short words had made me feel better about myself than ever before.

Sarah and Kamilla, both shorter than me, struggled to keep up with my long strides, Kamilla finally grabbing hold of my arm, and forcing me to look at her. Shock was written all over her face, her blue eyes wide with disbelief.

“What did you do to him?” She demanded, looking behind us again towards the young man. So I hadn’t been imagining it. Kamillia and Sarah saw it too. Strange that for once this was a reality, for things like that never happened to me.