Run Away With Me

Chapter 6 (Jack's POV)

I figured, I'm not driving anymore. Mind as well get something to do. And then I saw it. And I was like, oh my gosh, what are the odds? So I bought it. It's not too bad. A little slow at the beginning, but it's good. Pretty sure Kathy knows I didn't read it now. Oh well. Least she knows I'm trying. 

We're almost there. To New York, I mean. The clock on the dash says 8:47. Our ETA is 9:12, thanks to our latest detour. Which, you know, I'm not complaining. Kathy leans forwards. 

"Whatcha reading?" She asks. I smile to myself. In response, I hold up the cover of my book to her face. Katherine laughs. It's a warm sound, full of joy and sweetness.

"Where the Red Fern Grows," she reads. "One of my personal favorites."

"You've read Where the -"

"No, no." Kathy interrupts. "We're done with that now." 

"O-, okay." I stutter. She gives me a small smile. 

"Are you excited?"

"What?" I ask. 

"I mean, about going to New York. We've got only 20 minutes left." I turn to the dash. She's right. It's 8:52. 

"Um, yeah. I am pretty excited, I guess."

"You don't sound very excited," she points out. 

"What? Oh. I guess I'm just worried that when we get there, I don't know. That it won't . . .," I trail off. 

"That it won't be all that you thought it would be," Kathy finishes for me. I nod. She puts her hand on my shoulder, and I can feel a warmth spread from her hand up into my face. I look up at her. 

"I'm sure it'll be amazing." Kathy reassures. I nod again, and she moves her hand. I wish she hadn't. 

"So, what part are you at in your book? Or chapter maybe. Spoilers," she says with a smirk. I check my book. 

"Chapter 12," I say. 

"Wow. Fast reader."

"It's been two hours," I say. 

"Still. I'm on thirteen though, so tell me what's happening?" Didn't she just read this chapter?

"Um, Billy is trying to find the ghost coon." I say. She has a kind of sad look in her eyes, like she knows something I don't. "What?"

"Nothing!" A smile quickly appears on Kathy's face. "Have fun!" She goes back to reading her own copy. I just sorta shake my head, and try to read. I get through chapter 12, but find I just really can't focus. I'm filled with a nervous energy. 

You ever get that? You know, like when you are going somewhere. You are excited at first, but then you get bored. Your legs cramp and you just feel tired. But then, you're almost there. You start sitting up a little straighter. You take notice of everything thing you see out your window. You can't seem to sit still. Anticipation fills you and you can't help but smile. For no reason other than you're almost there. It's as if you're back at home, Christmas Eve. And you just know, that something great is coming. 

Crutchie takes notice of my restlessness. 

"You okay?" He asks. I turn around and smile. 

"Ya. I'm good. I'm great, in fact." This seems to satisfy his needs. "How are you, Crutchie? Excited?"

He pauses to think for a moment. "Anxious," he decides. 

"What for?"

"Well, because I'm anxious to see the sights. I'm anxious for all the wonderful opportunities we'll have. But I'm also anxious about starting over. About what'll happen." His words ring truth.

"It's going to be great. I know it." And with that we're left with our own thoughts. I sit in silence for a while, but soon my jitters return as I see a road sign that says 'New York City - 10 mi.,' and then I crumbled. I'm bouncing my legs, my eyes are darting all over the place. I start spewing facts I learned about New York years ago. Davey's telling me to calm down, and I'm trying, I really am. I look at the time. 9:03. The city will come into sight any minute now. I glue my eyes to the clock and watch as time passes. 9:04. 9:05. At 9:06, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn to see Katherine, smiling at me with something in her eyes. Like that of someone giving you the most spectacular gift. 

"Welcome home, Jack. Welcome home to New York City," she says. It takes a minute for what she said to register in my mind, and then I turn around. There it is. New York City. All the insecurities I had leave. It's even more beautiful than I imagined. Towering skyscrapers, windows glistening with the light of the setting sun. People everywhere, taking in the sights of the city. My face is plastered to the window, like a child at the aquarium. There are so many colors, so many buildings. So many things to do, to see. Right now in Kansas, the streets would be almost deserted. But there are people everywhere, shopping, dining, sightseeing. As we drive through the city, I can see the river in the distance, ablaze with the fires of the sunset. 

Who knew New York would inspire such spontaneous poetry? I can't believe I get to live here. Well, Spot says he found a place in lower Manhattan. When I got all bummed out, Davey explained that Manhattan was part of New York City. Well then why not say New York? Lower New York. Or maybe New York South. I don't know. Davey's driving through the streets, very slowly mind you, trying to find our apartment. Spot's friends's mom's brother's girlfriend's ex's son owns these apartments, and is willing to let us stay in this apartment for a lower fee, as long as someone else doesn't come along and offer more. So, you know, we're staying. 

"Is it everything you hoped for?" I turn around to see Kathy looking at me. I turn back to the front. 

"Everything and then some," I reply. And it's true. It's amazing. And we've only scratched the surface. 

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