City Love(47)

Walking north again along the water, I turn around to look behind us. One World Trade shines against the purple sky. The way its colors change throughout the day is astonishing. I love how its glass reflects the clouds when you catch it midday at the right time. The glass is rose gold before sunset. Then metallic silver before twilight. You can trace the moods of the building almost as if it has a life of its own.

“What are you looking at?” Austin asks.

“One World Trade. I think its angles are really beautiful.”

“And I know you dig the spire.”


“The spire is awesome on its own, but I also love how it complements the Empire State Building’s spire. Did you know the ESB’s LED lighting system can create sixteen million colors?”

“See, this is why I love being with you. How could I have come this far and not known that?”

“Are you making fun of me?”

“Maybe a little.”

“Fine, but just know that making fun goes both ways.”

The Perry Street towers suddenly appear across the street. Austin’s car is parked a few blocks over. This is where we’re supposed to leave the park. Except I don’t want to leave. I can’t stand the thought of having our perfect day come to an end. We go up to the railing that traces the river’s edge. Austin leans against its smooth curved wood. I lean against Austin, my cheek pressed against his chest.

“I love how you knew I would love the board gaming group,” I say.

“Of course I did. You appreciate those kinds of simple things.”

“How do you know everything?”

“It’s like we were made for one another,” he says. “That’s the only way I can explain it.”

We tighten our arms around each other. Austin is right. We were totally made for one another. People would probably say it’s too early to know something like that. But it doesn’t matter that it’s only been a week. What I feel is real. And I know that Austin feels the same way.

We lean against each other, watching the New Jersey skyline. A peaceful sensation, serene and tingly, washes over me.

“I can’t wait to watch the fireworks,” I say.

“Fourth of July rules.”

“Where do you usually watch them?”

“Hmm. My friend’s roof has a decent view. Or I’ll just go down to the waterfront.”

“What’s your view like from the other side?”

“Other side of the river?”

“Yeah.”

“You can see the entire Manhattan skyline from the waterfront. It’s one of the most amazing views in the world.”

“Take me there.”

“To Jersey?”

“I want to see what you see.”

“That would be extensive travel for you. You’ve never even been to Jersey City.”

“See how overdue I am?”

“Have you been to Hoboken?”

“What do you think?”

“We’ll go to the Hoboken waterfront. The view is better than Jersey City.”

“When can we go?”

“When do you want to go?”

“Right now.” I don’t want Austin to leave. The thought of Austin getting in his car and driving away is devastating. I hate that I miss him already when he’s still right here next to me. Why can’t tonight last forever?

I’m expecting Austin to tell me how busy he is and that tonight won’t work but we’ll go another time. Instead, he surprises me by saying, “Okay. Let’s go.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

I whoop so loud an old lady passing us picks up the little dog she’s walking and scuttles to the other side of the path. I’m so excited I’m scaring old ladies.

When we get to Austin’s car, he opens the passenger door for me. “We can only stay for a few minutes,” he says. “Then I’ll bring you back. There’s some work I have to catch up on tonight. It’s going to be a late one.”

Austin was right about the view. The Hoboken waterfront is a bit north of where we just were in Hudson River Park. You can see everything along the Manhattan skyline from above Central Park to below One World Trade. Now I know why I never came here before. Coming to this side of the water was a first experience meant to be shared with Austin. I was meant to wait for this moment.

We sit on a bench and take in the view. Being near the water is so refreshing. I should spend more time near the river, being still like this and enjoying the Now like Darcy says. Next time I’m looking out across the water from the other side, I’ll try to find our exact spot. It would have been cool to go to the Jersey City waterfront. I want to see Austin’s neighborhood. I’m dying to see his apartment and where he hangs out and stuff. But I’m sure he’ll show me everything next time.

A flash of light explodes over the river. It takes me a second to realize it’s a firework.

“Did you see that?” we ask each other at the same time.

More fireworks explode. Not just any fireworks. These fireworks are the magnificent ones that light up the whole sky. They’re like the Fourth of July ones. They’re even being launched from a barge in the river where the official Fourth of July fireworks are launched.