New York, the city that never sleeps. One of the most famous cities in the world and in the United States of america. A place of car noises and subway trains and people shouting. With such famous sights as the Statue of liberty in all her green glory,the empire states building and its skyscraper brethren. And neon lights of advertisements in time square.
Within all of this is one man sitting in a faded yellow taxi cab. He had a gray sweatshirt with 'Florida' plastered on it while also wearing simple blue jeans and an old yankees hat with its bill being bent upward slightly.
"So why are you visiting?"
"Huh?"
"I asked why you were visiting. You haven't been saying anything. Usually the people I give rides to have something to tell."
The taxi driver asked the man in the backseat. He turned to the middle-age driver with graying sideburns and with eyes who probably haven't seen sleep in a long time. Before giving him his story.
"Visiting my parents, they live in queens."
"Ahh okay. Did they move here from florida."
"No, they've lived here their whole life. Raised me here for 18 years until I went to college in Miami."
"So that explains the get up. How long was that"
"8 years ago. Finished college and got a job in real estate. Been selling houses on the coast."
"Okay that's nice. This is your first time visiting since then."
"No, I come every spring break."
After that the two men sat in silence for a couple of more minutes. The dark skies got darker above as rain started to come down and fast as bullets of water droplets hit the top of the cab with audible thunks. Just then the driver spoke once more.
"So you think that millennium bug is gonna be a thing"
"No, i think that's all just hyster-"
Before he could finish his sentence the ground started to shake a bit. The car rattled back and forth like someone was shaking it a bit before it stopped just as fast as it started.
"What was that?"
"We've been having these shakes for a while now. No one can explain why. We ain't on a fault line nor any underground construction. Some people say there are some underground eruptions happening while conspiracy theorists are doing their own damn things."
The taxi driver explained which calmed the passenger down a bit but was still confused. After a 5 hour drive due to some horrible traffic the man finally arrived at his parents' apartment. He grabbed his suitcase and paid the driver before entering the building.
He looked around to find a receptionist near the door. He walked over to the elderly women who had glasses and a red sweater with gray curly hair.
"Uh hello do you know where a Mr. and Mrs. Colins are."
"Room 201,4th floor."
"Thank you"
The man quickly walked up the stairs getting to the floor and found the room. He knocked on the door in the rhythm of "Shave and a haircut". Before a older man of 4 inches shorter than the 6 foot man at the doorstep. Wearing a simple blue shirt,khaki pants,and brown slippers. The Older gentlemen smiled at the sight of him.
"Junior how you've been"
"I've been great, you"
"It's been wonderful other than the constant shakes that have been happening. I can't get a good night's rest anymore. Anyways, how's miami."
"Warm and sunny like always. Sold a couple of houses and convinced many to rent out some for a summer vacay. I can still get you and mom a good deal. It's close to the beach and close to my home-"
"Nay. I have lived in New York since my birth in 48 and I don't wish to leave and neither does Mary."
"Robert is Bobby here"
A woman about the same height as Robert came wearing a simple white shirt and jeans and long brown hair came from the kitchen. Her look brightened up like the sun as she came towards her son and hugged him with a tight grasp that could break a man's spine.
"Oh Bobby, I have missed it for years."
"We saw each other last christmas"
"That was over the phone which doesn't count. Come i made your favorite"
The man now named Robert "Bobby" Collins Junior walked over to the small kitchen area where a small feast of ham and cheese burgers and toppings sprawled along the table.
"Well come on son let's eat"
Robert and his pantry sat down on the table and ate the burgers stuffed with Cara Alize's onions,mushrooms,mayo,ketchup and whatever else they put in it.
Robert's dad took a mean bit out of his burgers as a tomato fell out from the bun due to the bite.
"So dad, you got any plans for the week."
"Yeah you remember that movie you loved, Ferris bueller."
"Yeah I remember that."
"Well they're showing a rerun at the theater down the block and thought that tomorrow we could watch it."
"Sounds great what time."
"About 2 ish."
"Alright. So mom, how has your day been?"
"It's been great. We have nearly saved up enough to buy ourselves a new car. I'm still sorry we were unable to pick you up at the airport."
"It's alright. Still we wouldn't have to do this if you just moved down to Florida"
"Bah we don't need to write Mary."
Robert's dad cutter in taking another bit of his burger. This time a pickle fell out from it and landed on the table with a wet splash.
"Robert's right, Bobby. Plus we don't have enough to really buy the house you offered us."
"No, no I can get you a good discount. The company I work for gives a 10% discount for retired couples and-"
Robert's dad cut him off.
"We don't need to move, we're fine here. End of story"
After that Robert sighed. He had been trying to convince his parents to move closer to where he lives for a while now but no such luck. It would be easier visiting and they can see each other more often but for the past 4 years. No dice.
As Robert tooo another bit of his burger the building began to shake as the table and plates rumbled. Lights flickered,and confused worries can be heard around the apartment building.
"Quick everyone under the table."
Robert and his parents ducked under the table as the shaking began to continue as plates fell and crashed down on the ground shattering.
Then it stopped. Everything sat silent as if nothing happened.
"That one was stronger than last time."
The family got out from under the table. Their dinner was thrown around the kitchen floor and glass from the plates littered the area like a minefield.
"Junior, get me and your shoes. Mary grab the broom, be careful."
All tiptoed around the glass like as carefully as possible. Robert got the shoes while Mary got the broom. They quickly stepped up the mess of glass and food from the floor.
Soon after they gather back on the table.
"Well hope you liked dinner son. Goddamn shakes Mary spent an hour making those things to perfection."
"Don't worry about the burgers Robert. At least we're all safe."
"You mention they were stronger than last time."
"Yeah. Before you felt the ground shake and you felt a little dizzy and rattled. Nothing bad happens too much. But they weren't like that."
The family continued to gather around to talk for a bit for a second and watch some TV.
They put on the HBO channel and watched Terminator 2 for a while before second to go to bed.
"Night mom night dad."
"Night junior"
"Night Bobby gives mom a kiss."
Robert kissed his mom on the cheek before putting on something comfortable. Opening up the folding bed on the couch and layed down to have a nice rest. Not knowing that tomorrow morning is a day that will change not just his life but for the entire world and everyone in it.