Page 51 of Holiday Love
One Year Ago
New York City
Helen
Times Square is busier than I expected. Tourists crowd the sidewalks, gawking at the jumbotron TV screens set high on the surrounding buildings. Teddy’s eyes are wide, full of wonder, reflecting the lights of neon signs and the occasional flash from people who shoot selfies and animatedly chat all around us.
“Look!” Teddy points at a man in a giant yellow costume with a lightning bolt tail. “Pokémon. Isn’t that Pikachu?”
I grab his arm and steer him away as I hiss, “Whatever you do, don’t make eyecontact.”
“What?” he exclaims, baffled. “Why?”
“Those guys are the worst,” I tell him, deadly serious. “They swarm you, take photos with you, then demand money. They’re like crazy aggressive. Once they get their claws into you, there’s no letting go.”
“Damn,” Teddy says, shaking his head. “Who knew? They look so innocent and fuzzy.”
I lean close, my expression grim so he can understand the severity of the situation. “Don’tbe fooled.”
Teddy grins, all teeth and charm. “You’re kinda scary when you get serious like that.”
“Good,” I say, surprised by my own boldness. “Maybe you should be afraid of me.”
“Fear isnotwhat I’m feeling right now,” he murmurs, not looking away.
My stomach does a traitorous flip, but I play it cool, stepping back and brushing my hair off my shoulder like I’m not even slightly affected. I say brightly, “What do you want to do first?”
“I don’t know. Whatisthere?” His head swivels like he’s trying to take in everything at once. It makes me laugh. I don’t think I’ve ever found someone so animated. So effortlessly entertaining.
“There’s food and bars, but most of the shops and theaters are closed.” I glance around, suddenly aware of how little I’ve actuallydonehere.
“What’s your favorite thing?”
“I hardly ever come down here. Too crowded, too expensive. Besides, I’m mostly in the hospital.”
Or home by myself.
Those words almost escape my mouth, but I hold them in at the last second and swallow them down. Teddy doesn’t need to know about my lack of a social life, of relationships. That Helen, the weird, sometimes lonely, one, doesn’t exist right now. Thisblue-eyed boy plus wine and dancing has unlocked a different version of myself, one who’s confident, fun, less caught up in her own head.
I like her, this Helen.
Teddy’s looking at me like maybe he likes her too.
He stays quiet, waiting for me to come up with a plan. I scramble for something cool, something impressive. For some reason, I want him to fall in love with the city I’ve called home these past few years. The city I’m about to leave, not because I don’t like it but because I’m not needed here as much as I am at home with my mom.
I shove that thought aside, not wanting to dwell on sadness right now. Teddy makes me feel alive, buzzing and electric. I want more of that. “When I do pass through here, I like to sit up on those red steps and people watch.” I point to the stadium-style seating over by 47th Street.
“Perfect.” Teddy gives me a dazzling smile. “That’s what we’ll do.”
We weave through the crowd toward the red steps, Teddy’s hand warm and steady in mine. The climb to the top row is treacherous in my heels and tight dress, now hidden by my long woolen coat. I’m definitely not dressed for stadium seating, but Teddy keeps me steady, his grip tightening whenever I wobble.
Once we settle in among the other spectators in their sensible puffy coats, gloves, and sneakers, I become acutely aware of how out of place we must look. Like we’ve stumbled off a dinner cruise and into a street festival. It’s cold enough that our breath creates little puffs of white between us. At least there’s no snow. My mom always talks about a white Christmas and how wonderful that is, but I’m glad it’s dry tonight. No way could we sit here otherwise.
We settle into a quiet moment, the city unfolding around us like a living, chaotic organism. Honking horns, snippets of conversationin a dozen languages, the bark of a street vendor selling “the best hot dogs in the city.” It all blends into a messy, loud symphony.
“Let’s make up stories about the people around us,” Teddy suggests with a mischievous grin.
“Okay.” My knee bounces with excitement. This is a game I do by myself sometimes, when I’m alone in a crowd and bored. I thought I was the only one, but Teddy knows how to play, and it strikes me that this will be even more fun with a partner.
