So they say it's easy to get around New York City. All the streets are numbered in an orderly fashion. I still didn't understand where I was in relation to everywhere else. I am very mixed up how the Library can be both on the way to Central park from Times Square and come after Times Square on the way back. And how was I at times square for more than two hours alone and yet didn't see the M&M store, the Hershey Store or even the Disney Store for heavens sake! Nina had to personally lead me there. Anyway, the one thing I know is that I will have to do a great deal of studying of a tourist map if I am to be able to comfortably get around that city. If it weren't for my friends I may have simply stayed on the one block by the area that the bus dropped us.
Our band of merry travelers gathered at the Prima Care in Fall River at 6 a.m. April and I were actually the first ones to arrive at 5:35. That early arrival is just me over compensating in case there is some mix-up on my part. The first to arrive after us was Nina and her son, Tyler. I've never met Tyler before but I'd know him anywhere, in fact, about a year ago I spotted him walking in the mall simply from seeing Nina's pictures. It was great to meet him in person. He is warm and friendly as any son of Nina's is bound to be. Tyler is a fisherman and his free spirit is evident in his very persona, he is fearless and brave, I can see that. Tyler can jump directly up onto tall walls and skim along the edges and onto slim obstacles like a tight rope walker. He is strong and confident, brushing of his mothers warnings of meeting us at a certain time and place with a wave of his hand. Nina tried to hide that she would be watching for him, but I knew she was; but Tyler proved capable and reliable every time, always appearing as promised. When I shook his hand at the end of the day, my last impression was of his strong rough hands, from the boat I imagine, all those lines of net........but who knows? Nina told me that his climbing and jumping and sliding around his space so easily has nothing to do with being a fisherman, that he was always like that.......he must have been a handful for his loving Mom, Nina.
The second set of travelers came bumping up the parking lot waving and smiling. It was Carole's Merry band! Driving was her new beau and former high school classmate, Bob, whom I hadn't seen since 1979, it was very cool to meet him again. Very very nice man, funny and kind, generous, I am happy to see him with my Carole and wish them all the best as they explore their new romance. How sweet they were together. Also in the car was Carole's daughter Amanda, she feels very attached to the city and was anxious to peel off from the group to go meet up with a friend that lives in Manhattan. Amanda is quiet but very loving to little Elijah, taking the little second grader with her to explore the city........when we met up again, Elijah showed us all the things he got while with her, one of his favorites was a little fuzzy worm-like thing that he could glide around without detection of it's "invisible" string. That little boy is such a joy, happy, outgoing, well behaved.......what a treasure he is. I am always overjoyed to have him with us. From what I hear Elijah was especially happy to hear that April was going on the trip. He sure won over her heart, making April laugh uncontrollably with his Donald Duck impression. So darned cute!
Then there was Ryan......ah Ryan.......full of life, happy, funny, bold.........he went off on his own a couple of times to test the waters on the wild side I guess.......came back with a couple of drinks under his belt and a silly streak that totally worked with my daughters bubbly, silly self. Ryan and April skipped and ran and laughed and joked as we walked the twenty five miles from Times Square to FAO Schwarz. It was great to see her have so much fun.
Think of how nice my friends are.......Carole and Bob took charge for the first half, seeing to it that April and I had water and snacks on the bus, and when we arrived, they made sure that we got to Times Square and had a decent bite to eat at BBKing. Bob and Carole went into Ripplys first, and April got a heavy dose of her favorite store, Sephora, and we spent ample time in Hello Kitty. I am glad that Bob was off with Carole at Ripply's, I really didn't want to put him through visiting those stores. Someday, when you speak to Bob, ask him about the time he played beside BB King, wonderful story! She had even made extra sandwiches in case anyone was hungry on the way home. They were sooooo much better than eating at McDonalds. YUM!
Later on at the end of the day Nina took over the duties of getting April and I to the Disney store. Nina wanted to see and exhibit at the library, but she refused to go there first saying she couldn't live with the thought that I went all the way to NYC and didn't visit the big Disney store. It was soooo wonderful in there, and aside from one mildly unfriendly clerk, the employees of the store had that Disney magic that you normally only find at the parks. I forgot my camera at home (there's a shock) but luckily Nina had hers. I hope seeing our joy in the Disney store made up for the Library closing when we arrived. I feel so bad about that, but next time we'll make sure to go there first if we have to! We stopped at the Lindt store too, but had I known that Nina had some of her chocolates on the bus I certainly wouldn't have bothered going in there. Nina's chocolates made with love are always going to be superior to ANY store bought confection.
Well, it's obvious to me that April and I would have fun with this group of friends no matter where we visited. Maybe someday they will let me guide them through MY world :-)
