Finally Found You

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I once heard a quote about New York. It was a very long time ago, and at the time, I didn’t exactly believe it.

Thomas Wolfe once said: One belongs to New York instantly; one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.

I mean, how realistic is that? I mean, can you step out of a plane into a city and just say: I belong here. That was my first thought when I read that quote. But now that I stand here in the very city Thomas Wolfe talked about, I know exactly what he meant.

I had literally been here for five minutes, my car had just driven past the city sign, and the first thought it my head was that I was going to live here. And once my brain sorted that out, the only thing I could think off was that quote. How I really felt that I belonged here.

That was a great feeling to have. When you knew that where you are at that exact moment, is where you are supposed to be forever. New York was that for me. New York was the city that was meant for me. And it felt great.

It had taken me exactly two days and six hours to get to where I had dreamed of living for the last six months. I had been staring up at the third floor in the building, taking calming breaths and smiling like an idiot. People on the street had shot me weird looks, but I didn’t care.

I had taken my bag from the driver’s seat, slung it across my shoulder, closed the car and stepped into the gallery.

I smiled as I remembered the surprise that waited for me in that room that first day. It had been a surprise party for me. Since my birthday was just a few short days away and I had gotten to New York that day, Jeff, Dave and Emily had put together a little party for me.

It was only the three of them, Isaac, Lily and me, but it had been nice. Emily had baked a cake for me and we had eaten that and talked to each other for hours until they helped me get my things up to the apartment. We had just placed it in the living room and parted ways to our different rooms and I was out at once.

It had been so sweet of them to do that. And they invited Isaac. I didn’t even know that they knew that Isaac and I were that good friends.

The reason why this memory popped up in my mind at this moment was because I was nervous. That was my favorite memory right now and I really needed something to comfort me. You see, just a week after my arrival one of the older workers at the café had quit. Jeff, being the kind person he is, offered me the job. I can honestly say that that was one of the worst ideas he had ever had.

Usually, I would say I was pretty good in the kitchen. I could cook a nice dinner, without poisoning anyone and they usually tasted pretty good. I could bake somewhat well, or I never burnt anything is probably more appropriate.  But something I could not do was cook in this café.

“So, you think you can do it?” Isaac asked me, a nervous tone to his voice.

I looked at the coffee machine skeptically. Isaac had showed me how to use the machine at least a hundred times, but after my last try I didn’t trust myself around kitchen appliances.

Let’s just say it involved batter from a bag and a lot of water, and maybe some fire. And the result wasn’t what was pictured on the bag. It was not pretty. But we’re not talking about that anymore.

I bit my lip as I studied that thing for a few more moments, praying that it would work as I stepped towards it.

I found everything I needed to make a cup of cappuccino and started to do everything Isaac had taught me. When I placed the lid back on and heard the soft purring of the machine, I almost jumped in pride. I had actually started the coffee machine successfully.