13.
A cold breeze hit me completely when I left the office, and I reflexively squeezed myself more in the coat. I lifted for a moment my eyes. Many snowflakes were coming down profusely, covering every inch of the New York's streets. The smell of roasting chestnuts filled the air. Sounds, lights and colors from every angle, even from the small kiosk in front of the NYPD department. Gospel quartets sang Christmas songs for entertaining people. The shops' windows were a show of decorations, it was so hard not to be attracted to.
"I'll be the first!" a pretty little girl with blond hair shouted and launched herself into a breathless race, while occasionally she was throwing snowballs at her pursuer.
"I'll take you, Annabelle!" a child screamed to her.
I tore a smile, because they were cute. A flash blinded me briefly, I had to turn around in its direction. I gasped when I saw it. A red dress occupied the window of one of the most elegant shops in the neighborhood. Simply perfect in every detail. A lovely corsage designed to gently support the breast, filled with glittering crystals. A silk band wrapped around the waist, making it more slender. A wide skirt fell to the floor giving it a regal touch, almost princely. It was one of those "love at first sight". For a brief, fleeting moment I imagined myself in that dress. Through the window I saw the expression on my face. I blushed again, and I just don't wanna know the reason.
I lost my balance, that little girl was coming against me. I bent down and smiled at her.
"Hey little girl don't go too far, okay?" I said her with an amusing grimace.
I nodded and laughed.
"Annabelle! honey, don't run!" a note of anxiety in her mother's voice.
"Is your mama, run to her" I incited her laughing and turned her toward the woman.
How I loved this time of year. Families gather, happiness that lingers long in breadth, the people's smiles when you walk on the road even for a simple "good day". Oh I wish that time would stop, to relive this moment a million times more.
I slipped a hand into my jeans' pocket and retrieved the little red crumpled note, I read Mac's name and I smiled. Fate enjoyed like crazy to make fun on me. As if it was easy to look at him right now. How lucky was Christine. Mac Taylor was a unique man, I loved the way he could always make me smile, and now I was embarrassed more than ever with him.. and all due to my being clumsy, if I hadn't lost my balance on that damn fire escape.
"But stop Jo, you are very wrong! if you're attracted by him from the first day you cross that Hugh Jackman's look!" the inner voice enjoyed hurting me.
I walked for a few meters, savoring every breath of fresh air full of that lovely and surreal atmosphere. It seemed to be one of those postcards that occupied the wall in front of the NYPD department. I lingered with the look in a shop not very enlightened. The front door was transparent finished in antique wrought iron. A sign bearing the shop's name, "By Murphy, the Antiques for tradition" I had just come across the perfect place. He would not forget easily my gift, I thought with a smile.
I pushed the heavy door and stepped through the entrance. Neither the owner's shadow, I assumed he had to be in the back. Small ticks resounded far and wide, as subtle and barely perceptible noises. I looked around and I had the feeling of living at the same time to another era. All these antiques. I was amazed and so terribly attracted to. I began to understand how Mac Taylor should feel himself in a place like this.
"Wow" I whispered with a voice not exactly low.
I walked up to a small shelf occupied by finely carved caskets. The finish made them so accurate simply unique. One in particular struck me. It was made entirely of gold, it had a floral pattern, and a pearl finish. I could not resist. Curiosity was so strong and I opened it. I gasped. The cover bore a regal white swan, it must have been hand painted. The particulars simply wonderful. The tsar and his wife danced on the tune of a Russian song. I felt shivers down on my skin. I seemed to be there, in St. Petersburg. I could feel myself part of that atmosphere.
"It's very nice.. do you think I haven't yet found a buyer" the hoarse voice of the elderly owner brought me back to the present.
"Yes, lovely" I replied turning toward toward the man.
"What brings you to my shop, madam?" he was settling the huge circular glasses on his face.
"Oh I'm looking for something to give to a man.. he loves everything that is ancient" I began with a smile, "he has an inclination towards particular antique watches, belonging to a physicist.. I think he is composing one in particular. He told me about this once, I think he missed a gear, a gear made by copper if I remember correctly".
A smile appeared on his thin lips, "There's only one man that I know in all of New York that is rebuilding it, Detective Mac Taylor. You must be his wife?".
It created a brief awkward moment in which I went to on fire. I had already lost count of how many times it had happened today. My heart literally exploded in my chest at the mere sound of that word. "Come on Jo! Take back yourself, damn woman!" I screamed to myself in an attempt to regain control of my person.
"No, I'm a colleague" I said with a smile, rubbing my fingers on the counter's corner.
"It should be the gear 121.. Mr. Taylor is literally trying to have this for months, and I managed to get it only two days ago. You preceded me lady.. I was going to call him" he turned his back to take a blue sleeve velvet. He unrolled it and showed me the gear. It was a little larger than a coin.
"How much do I owe you?" I asked, taking my wallet.
"It is a very rare piece, since I took a liking to Mrs.. I will ask only $ 200". He elegantly wrapped it, and put it in a golden envelope and handed it to me.
"Make my best wishes to Detective Taylor" he said to me.
"I'll do" and I closed the door behind me.
I put the gift for Mac in the bag, I didn't want tempt fate. All that I didn't need is met him in the street and that he should find out what I have done.