One Winter Weekend

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I was in a historic New York building with the vastness of Central Park below us. Blake leaned in closer his voice down to a whisper and said, “Want to get closer?”

“Closer to what?” I stepped backwards a little, suddenly afraid he was able to read my thoughts.

“To the park of course.”

“Oh, yes of course. I’d love to.”

“Okay. But first, we need to make a pit stop.” He led the way out the door and back down into the main building.

A pit-stop? I was intrigued afresh, but this man was full of surprises. I liked being surprised so I didn’t ask.

Outside, he walked down the museum’s front steps and I followed closely behind, noticing that dusk was approaching. “How about we grab some food and have a picnic in the park?”

“That sounds like a perfect idea.”

“Great,” He led the way to a row of street vendors, got one of everything and made us a sort of street food buffet — pizza slices, a gyro, hot dogs, a couple of bottled waters, and two hot chocolates.

We entered the park and the beauty of it took my breath away. Most of the trees had lost their leaves and their spiralling bare branches reached high into the sky.

I understood how people could stroll the entire length of this massive space daily.

We sat down on a grassy area near a long avenue of trees. Blake laid out our buffet in front of us.

“That’s a lot of food,” I joked.

“Yes, well I couldn’t decide what your first New York food vendor experience should be, so I got them all.

“Try the pizza first. You have to fold it like this,” he said as he picked up a slice and folded it before handing it to me.

I laughed a little and took a bite from the cheesy gooeyness, while he did the same with the other slice.

“Delicious!” I cried after I swallowed my first bite.

“And that’s not even the best pizza in town. Okay for a street vendor, but by far not the best. I’m glad you are pleased though.”

Before long I was stuffed. I lay down on the grass looking up at the trees to give my full stomach some room to digest. He did the same.

“I am so full,” I said.

“Yes, me too,” he said.

“We’re both full of New York,” he joked. I laughed and then he joined in.

Then while we were both laughing and in good spirits, the loveliest thing happened.