Run Away With Me

Chapter 28 (Jack)

It's a good birthday. 

We do end up going to The Museum of Modern Art. It's a bit of a long walk, so we opt to take the car. I've read quite a bit about this museum, and I've been wanting to go for a while now. It supposedly houses quite a few famous paintings, including Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans. But the one I'm most excited about is Van Gogh's Starry Night. 

Yes, the Starry Night. 

It is my favorite painting of all time. When I found out that it was in the states, I was ecstatic. I'd wanted to visit New York since then. And now I live here. Still can't quite believe that. But we've been here for over a month, and we hadn't visited the museum yet. And it was time to remedy that. 

Davey turned to face us when we arrived. 

"Okay, best behavior. This art is very valuable. Don't. Touch. Anything. Got that?" The fear of Davey stricken into them, they nodded vigorously and leapt out of the car. 

We got several odd looks on our way in. I mean, can you blame them? Seven teenage boys with no supervision walking into an art museum. We probably looked fairly suspicious. But no one stopped us, so in we went. 

Needless to say, the museum was magnificent. We didn't get yelled at once. And, of course, the art was amazing. Part of me actually can't believe that I've now seen Starry Night. You know that feeling, after you've accomplished something you've always wanted to do, or worked really hard for? And you just don't know what to do with yourself? That's how I feel. 

Davey turns to me when we get back to the car. 

"Do you wanna do anything else for your birthday?" I shrug. But something does come to mind. 

"We could go visit Medda. It's been a while since I've been." Davey nods, and cheers erupt from the backrow as we head toward the small cafe. 

It's fairly busy. I mean, it is 5pm on a Saturday. Upon spotting us, Mike, (I think), heads into the backroom, and comes back with Medda in tow. She smiles when she sees us, reaching Davey first and pulling him into a tight embrace. 

"Oh, I've missed you two!" She says, with a pointed look at me. Everyone but me and Davey work here, so I would hope she sees them almost daily. 

"Oh, but Miss Medda, it's only been a week!" She rolls her eyes at me and pulls me into a hug too. 

"I love you, too. Now, did he forgot his birthday?" She looks toward Jojo, who nods vigorously. Medda sighs and hands Race a crisp twenty. 

"You guys made bets on me?!" Race and Jojo give me their best innocent face, but Albert just sticks out his tongue. Medda rolls her eyes. 

"Well, I didn't think you'd actually forget your birthday!" She nudges my shoulder for emphasis. "C'mon, let's get you guys seated." 

By some miracle, (or she knew we were coming. She's magical like that), our usual booth isn't taken. We sit down, and Ike (?) takes our orders, though he probably has them memorized by now. A nonsensical conversation has been struck out, but I only hear parts of it. A smile has settled itself on my face, and I find myself wondering what for. At length, I come to the conclusion that I am simply happy. Surrounded by friends, about to eat some of the best food ever, on my birthday. I just saw my favorite painting, I'm living in the city of my dreams, with pretty much my dream job. We're living comfortably, not perfectly, but comfortably. And I am happy. The only thing that could make this better were if Kath were here. 

As if on cue, my phone begins to ring. And of course, it's Katherine. 

"Hey Jack, happy birthday!" 

"Hey. Thanks, I was beginning to think you'd forgotten too." Confusion flickered across her features. 

"Too?" 

"Yeah, I forgot it was my birthday today." She rolls her eyes. Even from 1,200 miles away, I can feel the vibrations. 

"Seriously, Jack? You know what, don't even answer that, of course you did. So, what'd you do to celebrate?" I sit up in my seat a little. 

"We went to the museum of modern art! Kathy, I got to see Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night!" I could tell I was rambling a bit. It really speaks to Katherine's timing that she didn't bother to correct me when I called her Kathy. 

"That sounds fun. Wish I was there to see it, though."

"Oh, don't worry. I took lots of pictures, I'll send them to you later." She looks unconcerned. 

"Uh-huh, you do that. So, where are you now, cause that sure doesn't look like the apartment." 

"Oh, we're at Medda's. I didn't really feel like going home yet. Here's Medda, you wanna say hi?" I hand the phone to Medda, not bothering to wait for Katherine's answer. Medda's eyes light up when she sees the person who's been shoved into her hands. 

"Katherine! Oh how I've missed you!" I don't get to hear anything else, however, because Medda walks away with my phone. I shrug, and turn to the food that's been set in front of me. Because it's seems that Medda has personally cooked our food, and she is the best cook ever, hands down. 

~~~

Sometime later, Medda brings my phone back, still smiling. 

"You take care now," she says, handing the phone back to me. Katherine smiles. 

"So, what'd you talk about?" 

She mimics locking her lips. "Not telling." I frown, but I kinda knew she wouldn't tell. It's probably boring girl stuff anyway. 

"So, I'm probably going to leave now, since I'm eating. But talk to you later?" She nods. 

"See ya later!" She hangs up, and I shove my phone back into my pocket. Time for food. 

~~~

"Happy birthday to you!" I'm not sure what I was expecting from my roommates, but it is evident now that Davey is the only one who can carry a tune. Or who willingly chooses to carry a tune. We headed home after the cafe, but only after Medda insisted on sending us off with a cake. Davey had already made one, so now I had two. Cool. 

"C'mon Jack, make a wish." I rolled my eyes, but thought about it. I knew that birthday wishes were silly, but they were also fun, so I thought about it a bit before I blew out the candles. 

I wish that Kathy were here 

Low and behold, a knock came at the door. Which, honestly, was a little ominous. Like, the second after I blow out the candles, someone knocks on the door? Creepy. Spot grumbles something along the lines of I'll get it and excuses himself. He comes back moments later. The usual red coloring in his cheeks from being angry all the time is gone. 

"Um, Jack," he says, running a hand through his hair. "There's someone here to see you." I swallow. That doesn't sound good. Slowly, I stand up and make my way to the door. And when I see who it is, I trip and fall on my face. She laughs. 

"Hi, Jack."