Chapter 207: Belmont
Thursday, January 19th, Evening
The air is cold, and the sky threatened snow. Fallon pulled her jacket close and looked at the Penn Station Eagle across Seventh Avenue from the Hotel Pennsylvania, and the Church of God Ministry of Jesus Christ International. This Eagle is the location that Grant told her to meet him.
Fallon pulled down her knit cap, making sure her ears were covered. Her brownish-brunette hair worn pulled back and down her back, which she tucked under her jacket. Fallon wore leggings and comfortable boots. She was trying to look ordinary and not very rich. Looking down at her feet, Fallon noted that they were small shoes, as she is a small woman. Her boots were tan suede combat boots that someone had given to her after a visit to Fort Dix. She looked as common as possible.
Looking up, Fallon saw Grant walking up to her. His jacket was open and showed a hockey jersey underneath it. He walked over and smiled at her.
"Hi, Ms. Adams," Grant said.
"Mister Coyle," Fallon said, with a smile.
Grant laughed. Are you ready for tonight?" she asked.
"Not really," Fallon said.
"I think you're going to enjoy it tonight," Grant said.
"I hope so," Fallon said and trying not to roll her eyes.
Grant smiled, "Well, let's go get our train," he said.
"Let's," Fallon said.
Grant gently took her hand and led her down into Penn Station. They were in the usual crowd of commuters and hockey fans, as they descended into the station.
After they got their tickets and got onto the Mainline/Hempstead Branch train, Grant looked at Fallon.
"This train has a stop at Belmont Park Station," Grant said.
"Okay," Fallon said and looked out the train car window.
Grant nodded and joined her looking out the train car window. They were still under the river, so it was dark outside the train car. People were heading to the station, and the game; Fallon and Grant were standing on the train. He gently slipped his arm around Fallon's waist, resting his hand on her hip. Fallon turned away from Grant for a moment to smile.
The train finally arrived at the station, and they joined the crowd as they headed towards the arena. Grant never removed his hand from Fallon's hip. Fallon gently leaned against Grant. They only had to separate as they entered the arena. There was also a bag check, emptying of pockets, and metal detectors.
Inside Grant took his jacket off, and she noted his jersey didn't have a number on it. Fallon shrugged, and she slipped off her jacket. Her mock turtleneck shirt seemed so plain.
Grant shook his head. Fallon looked at him; the look was her "what" look.
"If we're going to do this, we'll do it right," Grant said.
"How's that?" Fallon asked.
"Need a program, and fix you up with a jersey," Grant said.
"Okay," Fallon said and followed Grant to a line at a stand. Fallon looked around and didn't know if she would know anyone here. Grant looked at her.
"What are you thinking about?" Grant asked.
"Coffee," Fallon said.
"We'll get some next," Grant said.
"You want to get some?" Fallon asked, putting a slight purr in her voice.
"Yes, I enjoy coffee," Grant said.
"Good to know," Fallon said.
"So, have you looked at the shirt?" Grant asked.
"Not yet," Fallon said.
"We're up soon," Grant said.
Fallon nodded and looked up at the t-shirts on display. She wasn't one for hockey, never mind wearing a sports jersey. Her sporty days are now long since passed. She was looking over the various mixes of blues, oranges, and whites, which none were catching her eye. Finally, one did catch her eye, and it was blue. She smiled and nodded at it.
Once they reached the counter, Grant looked at the counter girl. She looked at Grant with a nod.
"What would you like?" The Counter Girl asked.
"I'd like a program," Grant said, then turned to Fallon, "Which shirt would you like?"
"The blue number seventeen one," Fallon said.
"Yes," Fallon said.
Grant nodded and turned to the counter girl. "That's what the lady wants," he said.
The Counter Girl nodded, "What size?" she asked.
Fallon stepped forward and told her. The Counter Girl went and got what Fallon requested of her. Grant paid for everything, and they left the line.
Off to the side, Fallon made sure the shirt was wearable and pulled it on over her head. Once it was on, she reached back and pulled her hair out of the jersey.
"It looks good on you," Grant said.
"Thanks, I'll have to take your word for it," Fallon said.
"Why, seventeen?" Grant asked.
"It has special meaning to me," Fallon said, "Anyways, I like the number."
"Okay," Grant said.
"Do you mind if I check myself out in the mirror?" Fallon asked.
"Sure, what do you want in your coffee?" Grant asked.
"Just black, and some fries, please," Fallon said.
"Sure, I'll meet you here," Grant said.
"Okay, see you soon," Fallon said and headed to the ladies' room.
Once in the ladies' room, Fallon stood in front of the mirror. Looking over her reflection and nodded. Fallon liked what she saw and smiled at herself. She looked good.
"Ms. Stafford, is that you?" someone asked from behind her. Fallon looked up into the mirror and saw the person. It took a moment or three for Fallon to connect the face to the name. Gena, Gena Pratt, she works for the foundation in marketing. Ms. Pratt was wearing an Islander's t-shirts, jeans with a jacket draped over her arm. Her light brownish hair was in a plait over her left shoulder.
"Ms. Pratt," Fallon said.
"I'd never expected to see you at a hockey game," Gena said.
"Someone took me," Fallon said.
"Oh cool," Gena said.
"Ms. Pratt," Fallon said, in a tone that meant they had to talk.
"Yes, Ms. Stafford," Gena said, understanding what Fallon was saying.
"Please call me Fallon outside work," Fallon said.
"Okay," Gena said.
"I'll call you, Gena," Fallon said.
"Sure," Gena said, confused.
"Thank you," Fallon said.
"You're welcome," Gena said.
"Gena, one more thing," Fallon said.
"That would be?" Gena asked, "Fallon." She had trouble saying Fallon's name.
"Just be very vague and go with anything I say if you meet me in public," Fallon said.
Gena shrugged, "Okay, no problem," she said.
Fallon smiled and left the ladies' room. She met up with Grant, and he handed her, her fries and coffee.
"Are you ready for this?" Grant asked.
"Sure, did you sneak a fry?" Fallon asked.
"No," Grant said.
Fallon smiled, "Okay," she said.
"Let's get to our seats for the face-off," Grant said.
"Okay," Fallon said, and they headed towards their seats.
