AN: NICE EO MEMORY. THANKS FOR READING.
D: LAW AND ORDER SVU AND ALL ITS CHARACTERS ARE NOT MINE.
CHAPTER 48 NYC
I sit in my chair noticing how I begin to lose myself in that blurred memory.
"It is midsummer and a terrible heat wave has attacked the city for a few days, everything would be fine if only my air conditioning worked. I find myself lying on my sofa surrounded by three large fans, dressed in a small short and a pretty cool tank top, and, still, I can't manage to fresh up.
I watch the woman on the TV talking about the terrible weather in the city as I play with the little ice cubes that have not yet completely melted from my glass. My first day off in months and I am wasting it impressively calm. I normally don't like staying home doing nothing but today I deserve it and I'm actually enjoying it. Unexpectedly the doorbell rings, I am not expecting any visitors or takeout food. So I get up without much courage to see who it is, and to my surprise I can see Elliot on the other side of the door through the small eye. I share that if he is here looking for me fro something job related I will shoot him.
— Who is it?— I ask although I know the answer perfectly.
—Elliot.— I hear on the other side of the door.
—Come back another day.— I answer trying not to laugh.
—Open up Olivia. It's hot out here.— He complains so I , naturally dedicate myself to removing each one of the door locks very, very slowly.
—Benson!— He notices and scolds me. He perfectly knows that normally it would open quickly.
—If you are here looking for your partner to work you are going to have a bad time.— I tell him when I finally let him in, he just laughs.
—No job related.— He decides to clarify. —WOW, Olivia it's hotter in here!—
—My air conditioning is broken, sorry.—
—It's been broken a whole year? Repair it already?—
—I will. Tell me what do you want?— I say reluctantly as I watch him sit on my fresh point on the couch enjoying my fans. He puts his feet up on the coffee table and drinks my water. Its now that I notice he is wearing shorts, I had never seen him dressed with shorts... and sandals.
—Someone is in a bad mood.— He says taking another sip of my cold water. Oh so slowly. —Ah... I came to steal you Benson.—
—I see. To steal my water, my air, my chair, my TV.— I list MY things while I take out another glass and fill it with more ice.
—Guess again.— He says all cocky. —I came to steal you.—
—What?— I turn to see him with doubt.
—Yes, the day is bearable on the street, and since my family had not contemplated me in their plans.— He does have an explanation. —While I was watching television in my cold apartment they were showing a program of the most touristic places in the city and I realized that we have not enjoyed this city as we should.— he explains, looking at me with joy. I go over and hand him the glass and snatch mine from his hand.
—I have lived here all my life. I know my city.— I complain.
—I bet you don't. Come on. What do you say, partner, come touristing with me?— I let out a sigh and look through the window, the sun is so strong and it's not even noon so I don't really feel like it. I shake my head and scowl.
—We wont have this opportunity again.— He says referring to the fact that we have the day off at the same time. For some reason, Cragen has managed to keep us separated when it comes to free time.
—No.— I know I'll end up saying yes but I like to play hard to get.
—Come on.— He tries again with his blues shining straight to me.
I ended up convincing myself. I changed into more decent, comfortable and fresh clothes. I filled two bottles with water and put on a lot of sunscreen before leaving.
Yes it was hot outside but it was indeed bearable. In fact, it was cooler outside than inside my apartment, and from time to time we would stop in some shade for an ice cream or a cold soda.
We went by subway train to the southern part of the island in order to take the ferry that took us to the great Statue of Liberty. I had already visited it a couple of times, but today it was different ... today I was with my best friend. Then, we walked up the fifth avenue until we got to Time Square. I couldn't help but go into a couple of stores and do some shopping ... well a lot, while he was waiting for me. I noticed he also bought some things.
We got to the theaters and lights area. I pass by here very often by car but I have hardly ever taken the time to walk the street. It is always crowded. There are an impressive number of attractive stores. I couldn't help but buy candies in a great candy store, which we ate in the blink of an eye while he tells me some of his kids stories when they come to the area.
At sunset the heat dropped a bit, so we decided to walk even more, until we reached Central Park. We decide to eat some delicious hot dogs, the most felicitous ones in the city. We arrived at the statue of Alice where some children played with water balloons, and we sat down to eat.
Elliot looks at the pile of bags around us on the ground.
—Are you rich Benson?— He says mockingly. —You could use that money to repair your air conditioner you know?—
—I couldn't resist.— I say defending myself while I take the last bite of my hot dog. I'm almost always the last to finish, he eats too fast, sometimes I wonder if he really enjoys his food.
—Well, I couldn't resist either.— he says with a smile that I know very well. —I have a surprise for you.—
—Are you taking me to the Caribbean?— I joke.
—No.— He says as he stands up. Does he want me to walk more?
—No Caribbean?.— I fake sadness. He smiles and talked out something from his pocket showing a couple of MAMMA MIA tickets. —Really?— Honestly it is a surprise. I've been wanting to watch that show for a while. I hasten to take the tickets from his hand. —If you insist.— He laughs.
I stand up and tale all my bags again, he just sighs, we walk to the nearest street and get into a taxi.
—Let's leave your shopping at your apartment and then go to the theater.—
—Okay.— We're not really that far away so it doesn't seem like a bad idea.
We arrive at my apartment and we hurry upstairs to leave the bags in the living room. I take the chance to run to the bathroom before leaving and when I return to the living room I am surprised to see Elliot with another shirt ... and not just any shirt but the typical "I 3 NY" tourist shirt.
—Where did that come from?— I ask while I notice that my entire living room is full of things.]
—I bought them.— He says.
—Them?— He throws me another shirt with agility, I spread it out and I discover that it is exactly the same.
—I am not going out with this on.— I express.
—Of course are. I bought it to you with a lot of affection, and this too.— he says pointing to all the little things.
—Souvenirs, Elliot, really?—
—We are tourists, right?— He manages to get me a slight smile, and of course, convince me that we both use the shirt. I change quickly in my bedroom and go back to the living room.
—This is ridiculous.— I tell him feeling how the shirt is huge on me.
—You look good.— He says as he tries not to laugh. —Let's go,Benson, it's getting late.— He seems so happy that I will not complain more. —Promise not to get rid of it.
—I promise.— I answer. —It will be a good memory of this crazy day.—"
—Olivia ... are you okay?— I hear Samuel's voice speaking to me, which returns me from my thoughts ... from my memories. I look at him sitting at his desk with a couple of papers in his hand.
—Do you feel good?— He asks me genuinely scared. —You've been lost for almost twenty minutes.—
—I am fine.— He sighs but does not say more. I lean back in my chair and I can notice how my lips curve slightly upwards as I look down at my large shirt.
AN: THANKS FOR READING. STAY SAFE.
