Okay, in this chapter we deal with more daily life and a blast from the past. Who can it be, I wonder?
Chapter 3
"Here's your change," the saleswoman said.
"Thanks," I smiled at her and walked away, pocketing the change, and opening the newspaper I had just purchased.
New York Intelligence. The Competition.
But it was my day off, and I didn't give a hoot in hell.
Okay, technically it wasn't my day off. I was supposed to be out researching. Researching what? Everyone knew the freaking story already. Why did I have to go regurgitate it for people to read again?
But it was my job. I had already made an appointment to talk to a representative from the White House. And with an Ambassador for Earth. They were incredibly busy, so I had a few days until I had to seriously work on my story.
I had gotten up early to write out an outline. I was even up before Ashline, who rose reluctantly to go to school.
The writing was easier than I thought. Like a machine, I just pounded out facts, dates.
July 1, 2006. Independence Day II. Right in time for the 4th. Peachy, that…
I glanced on the date of the paper I held.
June 23, 2017. Tuesday. I had 7 days.
I walked through the throngs of people, trying to act like an experienced New Yorker, when in fact Ashline and I had only moved her around eight years ago, and had recently changed neighborhoods six months ago.
I had a hard time staying in one place. I told myself it was because I'm a wanderer: I want to get out and see new things, take new opportunities.
But deep inside, I wondered if it was because I was afraid. Afraid someone would find me.
Someone had, a long time ago. Ashline was three, and we had been living in a flat off the Flower District. I worked part-time for the New York Times, so I could take care of her. One day we came back from the park and there was a message on my answering machine.
Two weeks later, we moved.
I was a coward. But a necessary one.
I broke out of my thoughts and turned to actively shopping. I love shopping. When Ashline was born, it had turned to a huge hassle, an inconvenience, but now that she was older I began to enjoy it again.
I picked up groceries and looked longingly at shoes that were so outrageously priced I could never afford them.
I dropped my stuff off and took a cab to Bloomingdales, and looked around a bit for a birthday present for Chalise. Picked up some stupid little bath kit. You know, aromatherapy and soaps that she'll never use.
I ate a hot dog from a street vendor for lunch, swinging my shopping bag as I went, bored, with nothing to do.
I realized I was in the tourist center of the state. You could tell by all the people going by clutching their purses as if they were afraid they would be mugged on the spot.
I snorted and tapped my heel, waiting for a light to turn green.
I found myself going in the direction of the Empire State Building. It was too expensive to go up, so I only stared, looking up at the size of it.
"Wow, Taylor. You really are bored." I felt reckless, so I grabbed a cab.
"Twin Towers Memorial."
"You ever been there before?" My driver asked.
"Yeah, I live here. Just thought I'd drop by."
The driver nodded, and put up the divider. Since I lived here, and knew what was what, he wouldn't take the long way or bother with chitchat.
I got out, paid, and strolled up the large stairs to the welcoming building.
It's high-tech modern appearance clashed with the surrounding classic old buildings, but it was pleasant nonetheless.
I took the shuttle over to the gently rolling hills of the park.
The new Central Park.
It was pretty –I'll give it that. Just disturbing in that artistic sense. Too much symbolism, if you ask me.
I took a seat at the base of a tree, and looked up, seeing the sunshine fall through the leaves.
I sat and watched people pass, their silly little cameras clicking away.
Click, click, click.
I leaned back and closed my eyes, feeling relaxed and peaceful, something rare in the crazy day of a New Yorker.
I don't know what it was that caught my attention.
It wasn't a sound, and it wasn't a sight, since my eyes were closed. But I suddenly knew…
I opened my eyes, and my mouth dropped.
