The General's Daughter

I walked to the café in New York to grab my usual large skim latte, two sugars to go. A man nearby said "I'll buy it for you."

I glanced at him. He had large muscular body with dark brown hair and large mop of hair. His eyes, deep blue, good-looking and in his early fifties for sure, he could be an older version of Jake Gyllenhaal my Hollywood crush, but he looked homeless, his clothes looked wrecked, except for his military pants and his beard looked unkempt.

I gave him a look up and down and said, "Are you sure you can afford it? I don't mean to be rude but…

He winked at me and said, "Yeah beautiful I can afford it. He handed the cashier the money and said, "Can I get a long black as well?''

The cashier said, "Sure Sir, I'll just check your money, okay?"

The man said, "Sure." He was blushing.

The cashier finished counting the money picked it all up and said, "All good Sir, here's your change." The man picked up the coins thanking the cashier, then mumbled something.

I said, "Do you want to go over there and wait for our coffee?"

He shrugged his shoulders and said, "Sure."

We walked over to where the others were waiting, not saying anything to each other.

The barista yelled out ''Large skim latte with two sugars and one large long black!"

I took my coffee and said,"Thanks."

I turned to thank the man, although he was already walking out the door with his coffee, I caught up to him and said, "Hey mate…. wait."

He turned around and said, "Oh hi it's you."

I said," Yes, I just wanted to thank you for buying me this coffee." I held up the coffee cup and said, "Thanks Mate."

He said, "Your welcome. "Then turned his head. ''Wait up mate, do I get a name and why you bought me this coffee anyways''? I said.

He turned around appearing blushed, pushing his right foot around in a nervousness way and said,

''I like you."

I said "Well then bloody oath mate don't start walking away if you like me, don't you want to get to know me and get my name… I have time?

He says," You mean it?"

I say, "Sure mate why not?"

He says, "Just before you thought I was a homeless bum or something."

I blush and say, "Sorry Mate I didn't mean to be rude, my mistake will you forgive me mate?"

He says, "Sure. Your Australian, aren't you?"

I laugh and give him a wink, "Bloody oath mate! how'd you figure that out?"

He says, "Well your accent and that you keep saying mate." He looks down and then looks up and Says," Your cute."

I blush and say, "Thanks handsome."

As he touches his scruffy beard…he says, "You think…you think I'm handsome?"

I smile blushing and say, "Yes I do mate, your scruffy but you still have the look about you, especially those blue eyes." He takes off his sunnies and says, ''You like my eyes''?

I blush and say, "Yeah mate this will sound ridiculous but their very blue like the ocean, deep blue."

He asks, "What do you mean ridiculous?"

I blush and say, "it's just a bit romantic talk I notice things like a writer that's all it may sound ridiculous to you though. But I do mean it. You must think me stupid, right?"

He says, "No I don't, I like you, I told you that."

I smile and offer my hand and say, "Well I should introduce myself then, my names Cecilia Albernathy."

He accepts my hand and shakes it as he says, "My names John Jameson, please to meet you beautiful."

I say, ''Well would you like to go for a walk to a park and have a chat John or are you busy?"

He ruffles his beautiful hair and says, "I'm not busy beautiful, I would love to have a walk with you." He winks to someone outside.

I say, "Good let's go then mate."

We walk outside and John says, "Bye James." To some guy on the street, who appeared to be dressed better than John, the man was good-looking with dark black hair. He grabs onto John's arm and says, "What did I say John? I told you."

He says, "I know James I know." He looks down and whispers, "Still."

The guy whispers," Don't worry about that John."

He says, "I won't James, I guess I do look like that."

The guy says,"Yeah you do." He walks off.

We walk on in the other direction.

When I look at John, he says ''What''? I look away and say nothing... Thinking…. Isn't he going to start a conversation, or do I?

He looks away and mumbles something.

We get to the end the street and John points down the street and says, "There's Central Park, down that way, do you want to go down there?"

I say, "Sure John, sounds good to me, I'm new to New York so I wouldn't know the area."

He says, "Cool…..So, "Where do you come from Cecilia?"

I say, "I'm originally from a country town called Wagga Wagga but I hated that place so I moved to Sydney when I was sixteen. How about you mate? Are you originally from New York?"

He smiles and says, " No beautiful I'm from Wyoming."

I say, "Cool where from in Wyoming? Not that I've ever been there but I'm curious mate."

He says, "I'm from a small town in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming.''

I smile and say, "Do you come from the town like me or are you a farm boy?"

He asks, "You come from Wyoming?''

I laugh and say, "No I meant I came from Wagga Wagga but I grew up in the town. I'm not really much of a country girl, never have been."

He says, "Yeah well I'm a country boy at heart always have, always will be."

I smile and say, "Well that's the first time you've sounded proud and confident this entire conversation."

He stands at the lights holding his coffee and looks at me a little surprised and asks, "I don't appear confident to you?"

I say, "No you don't, but there's nothing wrong with that."

He says, "Well I'm not usually the shy type that's all."

I shrug my shoulders and say, "Well its cool either way."

He says, "No I'm usually very confident." He touches my shoulder and says, "Very confident." He tousles his hair and says, "I am …was nervous that's all."

I begin to walk across the street, when a lady with a pram rushes at me from across the street out of nowhere and yells," Watch out!"

I move and cross the street, ''I didn't see her coming'' I said to John.

He laughs and says, "That's New York for you." He takes a swig of his coffee.

I laugh and say, ''I guess it is.''

So how old are you John?''

He says, ''A lot older then you.''

I laugh and ask, "How old do I look?"

He says, "Twenty-one."

I blush and say, Thirty- five actually''

He appears shocked and replies Wow, you look good for your age''.

I laugh and say, thanks mate you still didn't tell me your age?''

He blushes and says, ''Oh I'm forty-five I may look older but I've been through lot these past few years.''

I nod and say, "Yes, I can tell but what's with the military pants and boots? Did you used to be in the military?''

He stops and says, "Yeah there not just a fashion accessory, I know I look a mess but I just got back.'' He scuffs his hair and says, ''it's a bit of a long story actually.''

I say, "Geez Mate that's alright I didn't realize. Although, I did see the dog tags, but I also noticed your chain with a ring on it, were you married?''

He grabs his chains and dog tags and puts underneath his shirt, he looks embarrassed and says, ''Sorry beautiful….. Do you still want to have coffee with me?''

I say, "I'll still have coffee with you just will tell me …did your wife die?''

He sighs and says, ''No it was just a bad break up that's all. Do we have to talk about my ex? ''He looks at me in a cringeworthy look and asks, ''Please, can we talk about anything else?''

I blush and say, "Sorry John I wasn't trying to make a thing of it. We just met and here I am pestering you about your past love life. I hope you're not turned off me completely, so do you want to go sit down in that seat over there at Central Park?''

He says, ''Love to beautiful, thanks for changing the subject.'' Then he turns to me and says, ''Trust me beautiful I'm not turned off by you, I think you're sweet.''

We smile at each other and walk on to the closest bench.

I look at him and he says, "Cecilia do you think I could get your number?"

I look at what he's holding, it's a smart phone the latest one, better than mine and I don't mention it but I realize he's not homeless otherwise he wouldn't have a smart phone. So, he's definitely not lying about just getting back, there I thought he was a homeless VET.

I say, "Sure."

He looks at me expectantly and I say, "04-"

He puts it in his phone quick with his fingers like a teenager not a man in his 40's, he smiles and says, "Thanks, will I see you again?"

I look surprised and ask, "You want to go already? We just got here. Don't you want to chat first?"

He puts his phone away and says, "Sure, I'm fine with it if you are?"

I say, "Yeah mate. I thoughts that's why we came to chat?"

He says, Yes, beautiful. So how long have you been in New York?''

I look at my Huawei phone and say, ''ten hours exactly.''

He says, "Yeah so five-thirty this morning?''

I say, ''Yeah exactly. So where do you live and how long have been in New York?''

He smiles and says, ''New York not that long, I used to live in Connecticut with my wife and kids.''

I ask, ''You have kids? How many?''

He says, "Yeah I do. Two.'' Then his face closes and he says, ''Look I think this was bad idea okay I should go.'' He strokes my face and says, ''Bye beautiful.''

I say, ''John if you like me don't give up so easily.''

He says, ''You mean you don't want me to go?''

I ask with a look of surprise, ''Why on earth would I want you to go for John?''

He says, ''Well because I have kids and I've been married. At your age won't that get in the way of young full life?''

I laugh and say, '' John, I told you, I'm thirty- five. I'm not like those young people, busy doing everything I can before I die tomorrow, sort of how most young people live life. I'm more so take things day to day, take things slow type. Also, most men my age have had previous relationships although, their kids are not teens like yours probably are. But still it's no problem to me, if it's not problem to you?

He smiles and says, ''Well cool then I'll sit down.'' He sits down beside me.

I say, '' So anything you want to ask me?''

He says, ''Yes, well I got lots of questions actually. ''

I say, ''So?''

He sits forward and says, ''Well what do you for a living?''

I say,'' I work in animal welfare, I work for RSPCA although have a job trial on Monday with ACPCA Brooklyn animal welfare.''

He says, ''Cool I hope you get it. So, you do you like working with animals?''

I say, ''I love it, it's the kind of job you have to love otherwise why on earth are you there for if not to help the animals?''

He chuckles and says, ''There's probably people who say that about every job like my job for instance, some people who are in the military not because they love the job but just because they ended up there. '' I look at him surprised and give him a look. He says, '' Oh no! not me! I love my job, but there's always people in careers or job positions whatever you want to call it who don't love their jobs.''

I begin to ask questions about what he specifically does in the military, making jokes to lighten the mood. We talk about our jobs for a while and why we love what we do. John explained, he always knew the military career was for him, ever since the September 11th.
John began to share how he was marines for three tours and then he went to BUDS to became a navy seal sniper. Now he tells me he's in another unit but he won't tell anything more.

We're laughing and chatting away, I've drank most of my coffee, then I think, shit, Ninja. My pup in the apartment. I stand up suddenly and say, ''I gotta get going John I forgot my dog at new apartment, she's probably causing all sorts of trouble.''

He says, ''Okay will I see you again?''

I say, '' Tomorrow, but I gotta go right now.''

He says, ''Wait a second, you aren't brushing me off are you? I mean is there really a dog in your apartment causing trouble?''

I say, ''Yes John, I'll write down the restaurant and time for tomorrow on your mug, can i?''

He nods and gives me his cup, I take a sharpie from my bag and write down. ''Tetsuo's 6:30pm tomorrow.''

He smiles and says, '' I know Tetsuos I'll meet you there, and by the way I will call you today to check. Seeya beautiful.''

I kiss him on the cheek and say , ''Bye John.''

I ran off to Park slope to my new apartment.

It's a three-bedroom fancy condo I brought already furnished just that morning, my agent helped me snap up the luxurious 2-million-dollar property. I wanted three bedrooms since I need the space for my comics and books when they arrive from Sydney after lunch tomorrow. I hear my dog Ninja, in the apartment barking… I didn't think, I should have bought her with me. She's a kelpie pup eight weeks old. I hear howling and see I 've made an impression on my new neighbours, who are hanging round the door.

I say, "Excuse me coming through."

A big fat guy looks me up and down and says, "Who are you?"

I say, "I live here." I shake my keys and say, "Sorry about my dog folks. I should have taken her with me for a walk."

The crowd gathered grumbles and talks at me all at once, I just look at them bewildered.

"Quiet everyone!" A man steps in the crowd who looks like horror video game detective, he says, "Folks, I'm sure she has an explanation as to why she's here with her dog and we didn't hear there was a new renter in the building besides Harry here."

I cough and say, "Actually I brought this place for 2 million dollars and a bit more from the owner this morning. A quick sale."

All their eyes go wide, and they start whispering to each other, looking at me up and down. The detective smiles and introduces himself with a handshake and says, "Hi I'm Dave Castellanos."

I shake hands and say, "Hi, I'm Cecilia Albernathy."

He smiles and says, "Nice name." Thanks, I said.

He introduces me to everyone else and says, " I live across from you, I'm the detective for Brooklyn homicide NYPD. I only make enough to live here because of wife. She's a private psychologist and we put in together to buy it. But you, how does a young girl like you afford it? Are you a model?"

More whispering and I laugh and say, "No mate, I'm a size 12, plus size no way I'm a model. I'm a novelist."

He laughs and says, ''Sorry dear, don't take as an offence your good looking that's all, but your right you're not the skinny type.'' He blushes nervously I assume it's his wife who coughs and he says, 'Welcome to our building, but please don't leave your dog at home alone it's not a good first impression with your neighbours."

I blush and say, "Sorry it won't happen again." I look around the neighbours seem happy with that, then I say, "Well I'll go in if everything's okay now?"

Dave smiles and says, "Yeah go on."

I open my door and Ninja rushes out and starts yelping at everyone especially me, I pick her up and say, "Sorry girl, won't happen again. I'm home Ninja I'm home."

They all laugh and start walking away, the big fat guy winks at me but one guy from upstairs the skinny preppy but unkempt and definitely into more reactional drugs then working by the looks of him. It appears his glory days are over and he's no longer the smart rich kid no more.

He says, "Hey beautiful, do you want to go out on a date?"

I say, "No thanks sir.''

He leans on the wall and says, ''The names Harry.''

I say, "Bye Harry.''

I go inside and then I see the mess Ninjas left behind and I say, "Oh no."

Harry laughs and says, "Serves your right, if you had said yes beautiful, I would have helped you."

I roll my eyes, walk in and slam the door behind me.

I look at Ninja and say, "What a mess."

She just growls at me, I look in the mirror.

I look at the lines on my forehead and say, ''Twenty-one, yeah right.''

I look at my white skin and see I have no pimples today.

Clear skin, good.

Dark eyes and long black hair that reaches the middle of my back and despite my snow-white skin, my dark hair and eyes make me look Spanish, I get that from Chilean Grandmother. My hair is put back neatly in a pony tail. A long fringe that splits round my angular face and no middle of the fringe. Medium sized red lips and a normal nose nothing special, thick well waxed eyebrows, natural shaped. Not like I went to the beauty salon, which I did.

Slender neck meets big breasts, size F on the right and size E on the left. And my big bum… Well, what's left of me being obese. I'm now size 12 from a size 24 and 70kg from a 135kg. I still have thick legs but not as thick as they used to be and have a flat stomach from working out, no stretch marks anymore. Since I got laser surgery on my stomach, thighs and legs. This has increased my self-esteem after losing weight…. I wanted to look good. I have freckles on my hands, arms, legs and feet unfortunately from getting burnt when I was a young kid in the Australian sun.

I'm wearing jeans, a belt, military boots and a hoodie with the hoodie down. I stop obsessing about my looks and focus on cleaning up.

I picked up poop off the floor with plastic bags and throw them in the big bag, then I pick all the other destroyed cushion fluff and any I should throw out that she ruined. I take it all downstairs to the carpark bin, Ninja following me yapping away. I get back upstairs and scrub the rug and once its clean I mop the floor. Then once its clean, I throw the water in my private small laundry with a big basin. And I'm done.

I look at Ninja and she just barks and growls at me, I pick her up and cuddle her and say, "It's okay Ninja I'm here now."

She barks happily and licks my face, I then hear a knock at the door. I put her down and get the door, it's a military man and I a beautiful lady in her sixties, her mid-sixties, he looks more like early seventies.

He speaks and says, ''Hi I'm General Hawk and this is my wife Carrie Albernathy. We're looking for Cecilia Albernathy. Is she here?''

I look them both up and down and I realize that's my parents, they've both gotten older but its definitely them.

I ask, "Dad is that you? Mom is that you?''

They both look up me up down and say , ''Cecilia!''

I say, "Yes it's me in the flesh, how did you find me?"

He said, "Wasn't that hard, once you used your fingerprint at customs it popped onto the national missing persons radar and they sent me the intel.''

I said, "Dad…. it's been almost 27 years and you didn't think I was dead? Uncle Henry said he sent you guys a photograph of me showing you I'd been shot.''

Mom says, ''No Cecilia, Henry wasn't your Uncle and we knew it was fake.

I shook my head and said, ''I'm so surprised, he convinced me that you guys would think I was dead. I was too afraid to find you guys and find out for myself.''

Mom and dad hug me and say, ''We always knew you were alive.''

We hug for a little while I catch the scent of mom's hair which smells like salt air because she likes to walk along the Staten island walkway near the ferry. It's her favourite thing to walk near the sea, go to beach when she can along the east coast, but many a summer she used to take us to her old haunts in California, even she doesn't look like the typical blonde California girl with her jet-black hair. Dad smells like cologne and cigars. His cologne it reminds me of home it's like all the memories from dad and mom and my siblings wash onto from the smell of his cologne and the cigar dad smoked in the study even after an argument with mom about us kids being too loud. Dad wouldn't hide in work forever, he loved mom and spent as much time with he as possible even if we were wild kids. Despite having a General for a father, we were wild, the opposite of military brats.

I gesture into my home and say, "Come in mom and dad.''

They walk in and dad says, "Whew, this looks like a pretty pricey place how'd you afford this?"

I smile and say proudly, "I wrote a novel."

Mom says, ''I heard you wrote a novel. Oh, Cecilia we both so proud of you.''

I say, "Thanks mom and dad, the books called 'Aftermath: The girl who Fell From The Sky.'

A apocalyptical world where all the demons, various demons from hell control earth and a little girl falls from the sky, from a moon colony of humans."

Dad says, '' Well Cecilia I think I already read it and I have to say I loved it, it's nice to know you've kept up with your writing and didn't spend too much time with your head in the clouds.''

I sigh and say, ''Yeah well I still get a bit lost in other worlds.''

They laugh and mom hugs me and says, ''I know Cecilia but isn't that half the fun of reading and writing. Having adventures.''

I laugh and say, ''Yeah mom, definitely.''

Suddenly I hear some music and my mom says, ''Cecilia is that you?''

I say, ''Yeah it is, excuse me for a bit I'll just go to my bedroom and get this.''

Before they can reply I rush to room closing door behind me thinking it'll be my agent, I take my phone out of my pocket…. unknown number. Mmm. I answer it, ''Hello?''

''hello is this Cecilia Albernathy?''

''Yes, it is who is this?''

''Hi its John.''

''John hi, that was quick it's only been an hour, I'm glad you didn't lose my number.''

''No beautiful I wouldn't lose your number, so we still on for tomorrow? ''

''Yes, John definitely I'll see you at Tetsuos at six-thirty.''

''thanks, beautiful I'm glad you picked tomorrow because it's a Friday night, means its payday for me.''

''that's funny I always get paid a different day then everyone else, I get paid Monday.''

''Well that's different, beautiful I'll make sure to remember that. See you tomorrow.''

''See you then handsome.''

''Bye beautiful.''

Then he hangs up and I go out to my parents with a smile on my face.

.