One day in Brooklyn

Chapter 16

Adrian had left a while ago and I was still sitting beside my sister’s grave. Then, I came up with a great idea to surprise Adrian with. I am going to rebuild our roof top garden secret place thing. I had to make a couple of stops down town. I first went by my apartment, I was saving up for a new bow but since Mr. Sanchez gave me his Cello and bow I don't need one anymore. I dumped out the money from my safe in the bottom of the closet inside I count out a little over one hundred dollars. I shove it in my pocket and go to the flower shop. I buy a bunch of them and still have about seventy left.

I go up to the roof of the building and set all of the flowers down, I flip over the tarps so you can't see the spray paint. I pull off all of the dead flowers and vines and throw them to the alley way below. I twirl the new vines across the top of the iron canopy. Along the sides I tuck flowers into the swirls and designs. I take the bench and toss it over the side of the building; it crashes loudly on the ground.

Then, I quickly slide down the ladder putting my hands on the side bars and my feet as well. I go to a small thrift shop and find a bench for twenty bucks I pay for it and run to go back to the club house. We have a pulley set up just for this. I tie off the bench then quickly get to the top. I yank up the bench and set it where the old one used to me. It looks good as new up here.

I take my extra money to the store and grab some deli sandwiches and chips I pick up two cokes and take them to the roof. I set up a picnic and go to get Adrian. I walk swiftly to her house. I rap my knuckles against the wood of the door. Looking through the glass I can't see anyone coming. I knock again and again and end up leaving. Maybe they left to do something. As I am turning to go back down the stairs the door opens and Jo stands their looking at me.

"Can I talk to Adrian?" I ask

"Yes," She says still standing there not moving.

"I'm going to take her to the club house, um, sooner the better." I say trying to get her to make some sort of move to get Adrian.

She turns looking into the house "Adrian!" She yells politely. After a few minutes Adrian hasn't come yet and she yells again this time she says "God! Adrian gets your butt down her!" Adrian still doesn't come "God Damn it Adrian! Get your ass down here!" Jo yells and I see Adrian come up behind her.

"I was in the bathroom, Jo, Jesus!" Then she sees me and closes the door meeting me at the sidewalk where I stand.

"I have a surprise." I say without emotion

"Well come on then!" She says tugging at my hand. I make her turn around and wrap a blind fold around her eyes. Then just for the fun of it I turn her around in circles. I grab her hand and sprint down the sidewalk dodging people and dragging her behind me. Soon we are at the club house and I un blind fold her.

"Adrian, come on!" I say motioning for her to climb the ladder behind me. She shakes her head.

"I don't want to go up there it is depressing she says sadly looking at me and shaking her head again.

"Do you trust me?" I ask

"No," She says and even though I know she is joking, it hurts.

"That was mean," I say to her sadly

"I trust you, but I'm not going up there." She says her eyes begging

"Please Adrian!" I beg

"No,"

"Please?"

"No"

"Super Please?"

She glares at me.

"With a cherry on top,"

"No, Vito I said no I am not budging!" She says angrily

"Yes you are." I say

"How do you know that?" She asks skeptically

"It is my dying wish that you go up that ladder with me." I say with sincerity. Her eyes twitch and she scrunches her nose up like a bunny does.

"FINE!" she caves and I knew I could make her if I pulled the dying card.

We climb the ladder and when we reach the top she gasps at the beauty of what I have created. It looks like an exact replica.

"Vito," She says trailing off and walking over to the flowers. She takes one and plays with it between two of her tiny fingers on her tiny little girl hand.

"Yeah you’re welcome, pip squeak." I say getting a glare from her "Sorry, Ian." I say laughing. She is sensitive about being so short. She runs to me and pounds on my bicep playfully but as she punches me each one leaves a little sting. "Ouch! Shorty, you're hurting me!" I exclaim which makes her even angrier. She knocks me to the ground and we both laugh hysterically. It feels so good to laugh after so many years of quiet scowls.

Adrian glares at me with her dark blue/green eyes that are so intense, they make her appearance older than she is. I look at her and then start tickling, see Ian has a terrible tickling problem, she is very sensitive and ticklish which is perfect for me when she is mad. Not only does it irritate her but I can make her laugh with barely any effort which makes me feel good. Her bubbly laughter radiates and rings through the roof top.

"Jeez, Adrian laughs a little louder!" I demand "I don't think Florida can hear you." I tease her

"Shut up," She says and gets a hiccup that shakes her whole chest. "See,” hiccup “what” hiccup “you” hiccup “did” hiccup!" She exclaims grabbing her stomach and crying from laughing to hard. She starts laughing more and every few seconds is interrupted by a hiccup.

"Come on, hiccup, eat." I say pulling her to where I set up our dinner. We eat in silence except for the sudden bursts of hiccups from Adrian. When we are done we lie on top of the tarps and look into the darkening sky. It is about twilight and sooner than later will be dark. We lay there for a while and it darkens. I get Adrian and help her up. We walk to her house and dump the trash in her garbage can as she walks in. I smile at her and begin walking back to my house.

I slip into my apartment and get into bed without changing. I slip under the sheets and due to exhaust, I slip into sleep quickly. Thank the lord, no dreams haunt me.