The memories were scattered out before me, she was all I could think about. The few pictures I had managed to take of her when she wasn't looking, her grandmother's locket and her thunderbirds scarf. Leta was the only other one who had stolen my heart. To think that soon I would be seeing Tina again, filled my heart with pure joy.
My thoughts were interrupted by a shooting pain through my finger, Pickett. Clearly I wasn't giving the little guy enough attention. He really did need to go back with the other bowtruckles, it was highly unusual for bowtruckles to behave in this manner. Pickett looked up at me, begging for something, he then pointed to a lone woodlouse scattering across the wooden deck. I shook my head and began to chase after it, after catching the woodlouse I dusted it off and placed it in my breast pocket.
A couple of hours later the ship docked in New York harbour. I violently whipped my head around, searching for her. I could see her so clearly in my head, her soft brown hair, the long trouser suit she insisted on wearing, her beautiful brown eyes and the honey-coloured flecks that could only be seen within if you were very close. Unfortunately, I had not had many opportunities to get close.
Finally, I saw her, the sole subject of my recent thoughts, how was I supposed to finish this book if all I could think about was Tina Goldstein and her beautiful eyes. I half-walked, half-ran to greet her. I was so excited that when I reached her, I swept her into an enormous bear hug. At first she seemed surprised but then relaxed a little in my arms. I could hear her heart beat. Tears welled up in my eyes
"I missed you" I whispered into her ear, I heard a soft gasp escape her lips.
"I missed you more" She whispered back. If hers was the only voice I could ever hear, I still would've been the happiest man alive.
After all this time, I was finally back where my journey had truly begun. So much had changed since I had last been there.
"How's Queenie?" I asked Tina, trying to make small talk
"Oh she's well, she and Jacob got married. Queenie gave him back his memory and now they work and live together." She replied happily enough
"Does that mean your living alone?" I inquired
"It does, which means that, if it's okay with you, I would love for you to come and stay with me while you're in New York." She replied, shyly
"Tina, I would love to" I said, perhaps a little too enthusiastically.
The streets were so beautiful at night, everything was so much more advanced now. New York City was all lit up. It felt so good to finally be back, and to be staying with Tina too, why that was an amazing bonus. Finally, everything i had dreamed of since I first met Tina a few years back up until the day before were coming true...