Between Then & Now || Currently Editing for Wattys 2022

29.

New York reeks. It literally smells like human feces and sweat and dirty water. I'm not sure where the smell is coming from but, in all the films I've watched over the years, I never once considered the shining city would smell like actual shit.

New Yorkers are a whole other breed, too. Like, I stopped in a coffee shop and asked a man to just, kind of move out of my way so I could get my coffee. You know, the polite excuse me. And he just grunted at me. Like a heathen. And he didn't even move.

At least it's pretty. That much lives up to the films. And the number of people.

I made sure to stop at the Statue of Liberty, but there was an actual mob of people so I just asked another tourist to take a picture of me with the monument in the background. I immediately sent Dante the picture. He hasn't responded, yet, but that's fine. I've been busying myself exploring the city, trying to get the real experience.

"Thank you," I smile at the hot dog vendor, taking the hotdog from his hands. He just nods, and, at the point, I'm not surprised by his indifferent response. Very New York like. So, I just turn around and start down the sidewalk, towards Central Park. There are a few street artists out today, so, as I pass by one, I toss my change into their open guitar case and carry on down the street.

There are a few people in the park today. Definitely not as many as I would expect. A group of kids are running around in the middle, tossing a frisbee, and, closer to the street, a man juggles five - no, six- balls.

It's pure chaotic energy. And I think I kind of like it. I grin as I take a bite of my hotdog, my stomach rumbling from not eating all day. Then, my back pocket buzzes, and I pull out my phone. Text from Dante. Finally.

just like a real tourist.

The text is a bit dry, and I wrinkle my eyebrows. But I'm sure he's just busy working and managed to find a second to text me back. How sweet. I smile down at my phone and smirk.

u mean, not a crazy lady living out of a van

I toss my hotdog trash in a bin on the street, wrinkling my nose at the pieces of trash sitting literally right outside it, as if the people who tossed it there couldn't be bothered to make the extra effort to make sure it actually gets in.

I had left Thelma in the air conditioned van for the day, and immediately regret it, realizing how much fun she would have had out here. Two golden retrievers are running around, their owner tossing a tennis ball and then having them retrieve it. Damn it. But that's okay. I need to go back to let her out to use the bathroom soon, anyway.

My phone buzzes again.

not at all.

I furrow my eyebrows again, and still smile, but it's a little bit smaller this time. So, I just shrug off the short texts and replace my phone back into my pocket, walking back to the van. Then, my phone buzzes again, and I take it out, thinking, hopefully, maybe it's from Dante. But it's just Jo, and my smile grows wider.

dude ur in NYC?! y didn't u take me w/???

I chuckle at Jo's texts, typing out a quick response. Then, someone walks by, their shoulder bumping into mine rather aggressively, and I spin around, eyes wide. "Watch where you're going."

They look over their shoulder at me, still walking away, suit pants flapping in the breeze. "Watch where you're standing - you're in New Yawk."

I can't help but burst out laughing. New Yawwwk.