I love New York in the fall. The leaves floating through central park on their journey nowhere. I often find myself on the same path. Enjoying a simple morning walk through the park. I've only lived here a few months and already have I found that the busy, famous Big Apple has grown on me. I find myself here, in the park every Saturday morning before most of my neighbors have even had their morning coffee. I like the peaceful relaxing feeling I have while walking along the near empty paths. After finishing my normal route, I head across the street to a cafe that I know all too well.
"Good morning, Mary, it's good to see you again. The usual I assume?" asks Marvin, the owner of the little shop.
" Morning Marvin, yeah I'll take the usual," I greet him happily. "How's Kathleen? Is she feeling any better? I haven't seen her lately."
Kathleen was his wife, they've been married 52 years and they are the happiest, most loving people I have the pleasure of meeting.
"She's still feeling ill, but she will be back in soon. She doesn't like to stay away from this place, yanno, it's our life's work and she loves all the people who step through our doors. Here you go Mary have a good week, I'll see you next saturday?"
"Of course, have I ever missed a saturday? Tell Kathleen I hope she feels better and I hope to see her next week."
"I will thank you, have a good day." I say goodbye and walk back out to the bustling streets of the city. I'm immediately hit with the glorious aroma of the freshly made bagels next door. As I was lost in my bagel dazed, walking down the still, slightly empty streets, I was knocked into by a runner passing by.
"Hey! watch where you're going, you're not the only one trying to use the sidewalk here buddy!" I yelled at the mystery runner I still haven't had the misfortune of meeting eye to eye.
"Hey, sorry I wasn't paying attention. I'm sorry about your coffee, may I buy you another?"
I finally looked up, and was met with the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. Dark and mysterious, yet at the same time, they are warm and truthful. I am dazed, and could get lost in their abundance of mystery.
"That would be very kind, thank you. I'm sorry I yelled at you, that was uncalled for. I should have watched where I was going" After losing myself for a moment in the beauty of his eyes and apologize for my previous outburst of emotion I never knew I had.
"I have no money on me at the moment, but I would like to get you that coffee--"
"Oh right, my name's Mary."
" I'm Jason, It's nice to meet you Mary. What do you say about coffee, next Saturday. Say, 6:30 at the little cafe around the corner." How could I say no to this?
"Sounds perfect, I'll see you then. Bye!"
He waved goodbye and started back on his run in the opposite direction from me, as I stay dazed in my spot, confused about what just happened. I walk back to my apartment to change, thinking the whole time about what next Saturday morning will bring, with a smile on my face the whole time.
My alarm clock blares the dreadful noise in my ear, waking me up for my usual saturday walk in the park. But as I turn off the alarm, I suddenly remember, it's no ordinary saturday. This saturday I have that coffee date with the mysterious and beautiful runner I had the run in last saturday, Jason. I hop out of bed and shower quickly. It's 5:45 am, and I want to get a short walk in, before meeting up with him at the cafe. I choose to wear my usual, I don't wanna seem too eager. I wear my boyfriend light wash jeans cuffed at the bottoms with my vegan snow leopard toms and a dark blue cardigan with a simple tank top underneath. I grab my phone and purse and walk out of the apartment building onto the vacant city streets. Have I mentioned how much I love New York City in the fall. The smells of the bakeries making their breads and pastries for the first customers of the day. The slight autumn chill is one of my favorite parts. I walk down the lonely streets and look up at the skyscrapers as the close in around me. They sit there each day and are the prize of the people who are the beholders of their remarkable beauty. Although the sky is grey and cloudy, it is a beautiful sight that one may only look upon from this very spot.
