things we did when no one was looking

the one with the big apple

My first experience with New York is a very drunk taxi driver who almost runs down some pedestrians. One flips him off. "traffic, huh?" He laughs. I suddenly fear for my life.

He drops me in Greenwich Village, at the address Sarah sent me. It's raining as I get out and dart under a shelter. Remembering to pay him, I turn around but he's already gone.

New York is beautiful. Not caring about the rain anymore, I speedwalk to the apartment building and duck under the covered doorstep. Walking inside, I buzz the button next to 204. Noah's old apartment. "Noah?" I ask into the intercom. "Baby, it's Ronnie, please let me in..." I'm trying not to cry.

"Hello?" I turn around to see a concerned old woman with a laundry basket. "You here to see Noah?" She speaks with an accent.

"Yes." I remember her, the german landlady. "Is he here, it's urgent, please."

She shakes her head sympathetically. "He went out. You have his number?"

"He um, he hasn't answered my texts."

Her face lights up as she passes me a towel. "You are Veronica, yes? He told me about you, when he first came back."

"He did?" She nods and leads me into her place.

"I don't know what's wrong with him," she shrugs. "He doesn't stay home often, goes out even when it rains. Comes back late at night. I can call him, if you want."

"No, it's fine, I'll wait for him."

"You two, date?"

"Yeah, for a while."

"In Los Angeles?"

"Yes."

"And you fly to New York City to find him? Another side of the country?"

"Yes."

"You love him," she smiles at me, patting my hand. "He love you too, I can see it. Don't worry, everything works out in the end.

There's a buzz from the intercom. "Miss Schmidt?" I almost drop my towel. "Um, Miss Schmidt, I forgot my key, can you buzz me in?"

"Yes, Noah!" She calls as she presses the intercom, then opens the door for me. "Go, get him."

My hands shake as I open the door. "Thank you, Miss Schmidt..." He trails off as his eyes move over my body, both of us drenched head to toe. "V..."

"Noah." And suddenly I'm crying again. He looks like he hasn't slept in ages.

"What are you doing here?"

"You left," I laugh breathlessly, shrugging. "You left, and you cut everyone off."

"Sarah tell you where I was?"

"She's too good at her job."

"Yeah, that she is." He rubs the back of his neck, his dirty blonde hair dripping onto the carpet. "I missed you, V. So much."

"I missed you too. Everyone has, all of us have been so sick worried about you."

"I-um, i thought it would be better if i left for a bit. Let Will cool down, get my head back on straight... stupid idea, i'm still as fucked up."

I step closer, taking his face in my hands and making him look at me. "You know what love is, okay? Will was angry as all hell, but he never would have said that if he was thinking straight."

"Yeah." He nods. "I know what love is. I have you to thank for that."

"What do you mean?"

"It's you. Love, loving, it's all you."

"Then kiss me, you idiot." And he obliges without another word, scooping me up in his arms in a kiss that takes my breath away. "Please don't leave again," I whisper against his lips, crying.

He wipes my tears away, shaking his head. "I don't think I could if I tried."