Chapter 484: Washington Square Park

Tuesday, February 14th, Late Evening

(Song Lyrics in italics)

In a strange turn of events, they ended up in Washington Square Park, in the heart of New York University. Initially, they walked along the edge of the park, then eventually they moved inside the park and slowly walked towards the fountain.

Fallon remembered her undergraduate here. She also knew her townhouse as just down the street. Did she know or have to save her ruse? Also, she didn't wear shoes to walk on the pavement for long periods.

Grant looked over to her with a smile. Fallon looked back and smiled.

I like that you're broken, broken like me

Maybe that makes me a fool

I like that you're lonely, lonely like me

I could be lonely with you

I met you late night, at a party

Some trust fund baby's Brooklyn loft

By the bathroom, you said:, "Let's talk"

But my confidence is wearing off

"Does this bring back memories?" Grant asked.

Fallon nodded, "Yeah, a few; I tried not to be out too late, though," she said.

"I can see that," Grant said.

"Yeah, I was a bit of a nerd, stayed in, and studied. Though, I did go to some things around the city," Fallon said.

"No boyfriends?" Grant asked.

"A few here or there, nothing series, my junior year, my sister Trin joined me, and we did more," Fallon said.

"Two sisters at NYU?" Grant asked.

Fallon nodded, "Yeah, me and Trin," she said.

"Did your parents help you out with college?" Grant asked.

"No, no help," Fallon said.

"So, you went to NYU for undergrad and Columbia for your MBA?" Grant asked.

"Yes, that's correct," Fallon said.

"How did you pay for it all?" Grant asked.

"Student loans, I'm up to my eyeballs in debt. Why do you think I live where I do," Fallon said.

"It's still Manhattan," Grant said.

"I got lucky, I guess," Fallon said.

"Yeah, I would say so," Grant said.

Grant guided Fallon around the fountain. Slowly, in deference to Fallon's high heels, they walked towards the Washington Arch. Fallon slowly looked it over, studying the stonework. The memories of the many times she passed under the arch. The first time she was little, one of Fallon's most rememberable times was walking under the arch as an eighteen-year-old and brand-new student at NYU. It felt like a whole new world was opening to her. That was before the pain and the doctor giving her the worst news in her life.

They left the park and ended up on the sidewalk outside Washington Square North. Fallon smiled in the cold night, then leaned closer to Grant. He slowly guided Fallon down the street, and Fallon looked up at the Washington Square Hotel; maybe they were heading.

They moved down the street and crossed McDougal Street and onto Waverly Place. Fallon looked down the street and saw her townhouse looming before them. Fallon's heart started beating faster, and she felt her muscles tense up as her townhouse got closer.

Well, these aren't my people, these aren't my friends

She grabbed my face and that's when she said

I like that you're broken, broken like me

Maybe that makes me a fool

I like that you're lonely, lonely like me

I could be lonely with you

There's something tragic, but almost pure

Think I could love you, but I'm not sure

Grant looked down at her. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, why do you ask?" Fallon asked.

"You tensed up," Grant said.

"Just a slight chill," Fallon said.

"It seems more than that," Grant said.

Fallon shook her head, "No, nothing more," she said.

Grant nodded, "I like the village," he said.

"So, do I," Fallon said.

"I wish I got a place down here," Grant said.

"They're expensive homes," Fallon said.

Grant nodded and looked over some of them. "I know," he said.

"So, I saw where your mom lives; you could afford it," Fallon said.

"My mother's money isn't my money," Grant said.

"I can respect that," Fallon said.

Grant nodded, "I heard there are a few eccentrics that live down here," he said.

There's something wholesome, there's something sweet

Tucked in your eyes that I'd love to meet

These aren't my people, these aren't my friends

She grabbed my face and that's when she said

I like that you're broken, broken like me

Maybe that makes me a fool

I like that you're lonely, lonely like me

I could be lonely with you

"We're in the village; it should be expected that there are colorful people who live here. It's what makes it so interesting," Fallon said.

"You've got to have spent more time down here than just when you were in NYU," Grant said.

"I like coming down here for things, the food, the usual," Fallon said.

Grant nodded, "I see," he said and glanced over at a townhouse.

"What are you looking at?" Fallon asked.

"The townhouses, I've always liked them," Grant said.

"They're nice, maybe someday," Fallon said.

"Anything's possible," Grant said.

"With luck," Fallon said.

"Or birth," Grant said.

"That would be all you," Fallon said.

Grant nodded, "I have this one favorite story," he said.

"You do?" Fallon asked.

"I do," Grant said.

"Care to share it?" Fallon asked.

"Of course," Grant said.

"Okay," Fallon said.

"John Lennon and Yoko Ono moved to New York. They settled in the Dakota, near Central Park. Some interesting music came out at that time. Later after her son Sean was born, he took a hiatus. He became a house-husband stay-at-home dad and raised his young son during that time. Some of Lennon's friends believed he liked New York and Manhattan was he wasn't John Lennon. He was just John, father of Sean and husband of Yoko. But he was John Lennon, and he was eventually murdered," Grant said.

Life is not a love song that we like

We're all broken pieces floating by

Life is not a love song we can try

To fix our broken pieces one at a time

I like that you're broken, broken like me

Maybe that makes me a fool

I like that you're lonely, lonely like me

I could be lonely with you

I like that you're broken, broken like me

Maybe that makes me a fool

I like that you're lonely, lonely like me

I could be lonely with you

"It's a sad story but well known," Fallon said.

"I wonder how many more people see New York that way," Grant said.

"I don't know," Fallon said.

Grant stopped them and looked over to the townhouse. Fallon looked at Grant, then turned to look at the townhouse.

"My favorite townhouse," Grant said.

"Oh yeah?" Fallon asked.

"Yeah," Grant said.

"Which one?" Fallon asked.

"That one," Grant said and pointed.

Fallon looked to where Grant was pointing. Her stomach fell out like she was riding a roller coaster. Grant was pointing at her townhouse.