Run Away With Me

Chapter 11 (Katherine's POV)

I have mixed feelings about that. I mean, we were so high! Jack said it was over 1,000 feet tall! We were on the roof! But, the view was spectacular. I could see everything. Or least it felt like I could. I guess I'm glad I did it, but I won't be in a hurry to go again anytime soon. 

Right now we're driving through the streets, towards Medda's Deli, where Spot works. We'll stop for lunch there and then we'll head over to Central Park. I am positively starving. I know we had breakfast only 4 ish hours ago, but I feel like it's been forever.

Davey finds a parking spot a block away from the deli. As we begin walking, it amazes me how heavy the foot traffic is. I think it'll cool down in the winter though. Hopefully. 

We walk into the 50's style cafe and slide into a red booth. Well, two. Race, Albert and Jojo slide into one and Davey, Jack, Crutchie and I slide into another. Other than us, there's 4 people in the deli. A group of friends laugh loudly at a nearby table and someone who could be a college student has his laptop up in front of him. 

Spot comes over to talk to Race and the others. I mean, the boys in the other booth. I'm back to back with their booth, so I turn around, as does Jack who's sitting next to me. 

"So, how's your day been so far?" Spot asks. Race begins to speak, but Jojo jumps in excitedly. 

"We went to the Empire Building, an-" Jojo starts. 

"It's the Empire State Building." Race grumbles. 

"Right, that." Jojo says, oblivious to Race's discontent. "Anyway, we went all the way to the top, and we saw the whole city. It was so tall, we could practically see the whole world." He nods his head as if that was in fact possible. I have to stifle a laugh, because sometimes I think he's a 7 year old in a 17 year old body. Spot starts to say something, but then a cheerful looking lady comes over. 

"Just what do you think you're doing young man?" She asks Spot pointedly. But she can't be serious, because she's smiling wide. Unless she's evil. She might be evil. 

Spot laughs. Not evil then. "These are my friends, Albert, Jojo and Race," he says, gesturing to each in turn. 

"Um," Race says, putting his arm around Spot. "I think I qualify as more than a friend." He scoffs in that 'I'm too cool for you' sort of way. The lady gives Spot a look that I think might convey a 'I can't believe you forgot your boyfriend,' disapproving look. Unless I'm wrong, I'm starting to really like this lady. 

"So, who might you be?" I ask her. 

"Oh! I am sorry, I didn't introduce myself." She laughs to herself. "My name is Medda Larkin. But please, call me Medda. I own the joint." Medda gestures to the cafe. I get a better look at her as I step out of my booth to shake her hand. A taller black lady with black hair pulled back into a tall bun. She's a bit on the bigger side, but in that grandma sort of way that's perfect for hugs. She's wearing bell-bottom jeans and a fuchsia shirt with ruffles at the collar. Her wrists are adorned with little bracelets, and golden hoops adorn her ears. She reminds me of one of those hip moms that everyone always loves. 

"I'm Katherine," I say. She shakes my hand and gives me a warm smile. 

"And just who might this dashing young man be?" Medda asks, as Jack steps out too. 

"My name is Jack. Jack Kelly," he says, giving her a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. Medda chuckles and wiggles her finger at him. 

"I can tell I'm going to like you," she says with a smile and a wink. Davey steps out and introduces himself. 

"Nice to meet you Davey. And you are?" Medda asks Crutchie. He gets up to introduce himself. 

"Crutchi- I mean Charles." He sticks out his hand. I give him a weird look, and I'm not the only one. 

"I didn't know your name was Charles," Davey says. 

"Me neither." I say, along with most of the boys. Medda gives us a look of shock. 

"Are you telling me that none of you even knew your friend's name?"

"I did," Jack says. Medda smiles at him again. She turns back to Crutchie. 

"What do you want me to call you, hon?" 

"Um, I go by Crutchie. Don't worry, I like it," he quickly amends at the torn look on Medda's face.

"Well, alright. Spot, sweetie, you still have work to do." Medda gestures to the other customers, but they've all left. "Or not. Well, at least get your friends some food, they must be starving!" This is met with multiple nods and 'yeahs!' Spot just rolls his eyes and takes everyone's order. He walks over to the serving counter. 

"Hey! Mike, Ike, get in here and help me with these orders!" Two identical boys, tall with curly brown hair, come out of the kitchen and help Spot make the sandwiches. 

"Who ordered a pastrami on rye, no mustard?" Mike, or Ike, calls. I get up to go get my sandwich. The boy holds out his hand. 

"I'm Mike," he says. 

"I'm Ike," the other one says. I quickly try to find a defining feature to help me tell them apart. 

"I'm Katherine." They each shake my hand in turn. 

Everyone else gets their food and we all sit and talk and eat and have a good time. Medda makes everyone laugh as she regales us with the most impossible stories of her life. At one point Davey laughs so hard he snorts soda out of his nose, which makes the rest of us start laughing uncontrollably. Seems like the first normal thing to have happened in a long time. It's a nice change of pace.