Once Upon a Summertime (13 page)

The Empire State Building was even more grand than she remembered it from two of her favorite movies—
Sleepless in Seattle
and its inspiration,
An Affair
to Remember
. While they were standing on the observation deck, it was clear that the clouds were coming in.

“I think the weatherman got it wrong,” Sean told her as they headed back to the elevator. “Hopefully it will hold off until we've seen everything.”

Radio City Music Hall was fun to see from the outside. The art deco theater was such a New York icon. But Anna felt disappointed that due to a matinee, they couldn't take a peek inside. “Maybe we'll come back someday,” Sean said as they hopped onto the next double-decker bus.

“I hope so.” Anna nodded eagerly. Okay, the truth was she hoped that they'd come here together, but there was no way she was saying that. She was still determined to maintain a safe distance between them. For the sake of her job and her future, she had to keep this friendship on a business level.

Next they hopped off for St. Patrick's Cathedral. In the changing light—with sun shining directly on the front of the building and dark clouds gathered behind it—the gothic structure looked truly ethereal. Lots of tourists were taking photos, and Anna was among them. But it wasn't until they went inside that she saw the true beauty of this amazing landmark. The enormous arches looked interwoven as they soared into the intricate ceilings. The carved columns, the sculptures, the jewel-toned stained glass windows . . . it was the grandest thing she'd seen since coming to New York. Amazing.

“Nothing like this back in Springville,” she whispered to Sean, making him smile.

To her surprise, he went down a row of seats, sat down, and bowed his head. Feeling unsure of herself, she decided to follow his lead, and finding a seat a few rows behind him, she sat down too. Instead of bowing her head, she just looked up at the ceiling, marveling that the cornerstone had been set before the Civil War. As she considered the lives that had passed through here, she realized that many of them were the same people who had passed through Ellis Island. People who were long gone now. For some reason, she found this very moving and humbling.

Anna bowed her head too. After taking a few calming breaths, she expressed a sincere prayer of gratitude. She felt exceedingly thankful that God had brought her to this big, busy place—New York City. She was thankful for her friendship with Sean. She felt thankful for her job managing maids. After expressing thanks, she asked God to continue directing her path and to strengthen her as she started this new job. Finally, she asked God to bless her grandmother. As she softly said “Amen,” it occurred to her that she had actually made it to church on a Sunday. Wouldn't Grandma be pleased about that!

As
Anna opened her eyes,
once again looking up at the majestic columns and arches, she realized that Sean was no longer seated up in front of her. She glanced around the cathedral but didn't spy him anywhere. Feeling a bit displaced, she stood and walked around. Certainly he wouldn't have left her behind. It appeared as if they were getting ready for a service, and she wondered if Sean had gone outside.

When she found him, he was in the vestibule, admiring a sculpture. “I thought I lost you,” she whispered from behind.

He turned around, gazing at her with what seemed like an intimate expression—as if they were more than just friends. “No worries, Anna. I wouldn't let that happen.”

A warm rush ran through her, and for a brief moment, she wondered what he would do if she kissed him. Of course, she would never in a million years do that. Would she? Why was she even allowing her mind to go there in the first place?

“I don't think I've ever seen anything as beautiful as St. Patrick's,” she confided. “It's kind of mind-blowing.”

He nodded. “I felt the same way. It's incredible.”

“I think they're getting ready for mass or something now.”

“Yes, that's what I heard.”

She turned to give the interior of the cathedral one last look, trying to soak in all the beauty and splendor—as well as trying to subdue her raging emotions. Why was she reacting so strongly to every single thing today? Was it just New York? Or was it Sean? Or was it something more?

“Ready?” he put his hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward the entrance. “I think the next bus will be rolling along any minute. We can catch it.”

“Yes,” she said eagerly. “Let's go.”

They had barely reached the street before they spotted the double-decker rolling toward them. Sean stepped out, holding up his hand to flag the driver, and soon they were back on top of the bus. Only this time, it wasn't nearly as crowded, and no one was talking on the PA system, telling them about what they were seeing. Not that Anna cared. She'd gotten a little tired of that earlier.

As the bus took off, Anna noticed a light flashing overhead. She assumed it was a sign on one of the buildings or a tourist's camera, but not long after the flash came a loud clap of thunder that made Anna jump. “Thunderstorm?” she asked Sean.

“Looks that way.” He nodded. “Want to go down under?”

“No.” Anna firmly shook her head. “I love thunderstorms.”

He laughed. “Well, of course you do. I should've known that.”

“Why?” she asked him.

He just shrugged, but the twinkle in his eye suggested there was more to this. But before she could question him, another flash of lightning split the sky, and this time the boom came just a couple seconds afterward. “That sounds closer,” she told him.

“Cool, huh?”

“Yeah.” Anna watched as the other passengers who'd been on top scurried down to the lower level.

“Scaredy-cats,” Sean said in a good-humored way. All of a sudden it started to rain. Not just a light drizzle either. The sky opened up and buckets of water came pouring down. Before they could get below to shelter, they were both drenched—and laughing like crazy people. Anna had never had so much fun in her life!

Still dripping wet but in good spirits, Anna and Sean were surprised when the bus driver pulled over and announced that this was the last stop on the tour. “Everybody out. And you all have a great evening!”

“What?” Anna looked at Sean. “I thought the bus tour went into the evening.”

“So did I.” Sean called out to the driver, asking him why the tour was over.

“Because it's the end of the line.” The driver waited for them.

“But it's just a little past five.” Sean frowned out at the pouring rain.

“That's right. Quitting time.”

“Well, thanks for the ride,” Anna said, leaping out into the rainstorm. Sean followed and, grabbing her hand, pulled her under an awning for cover.

“I'm sorry,” he told Anna. “I didn't expect to get stranded like this in a thunderstorm.”

“Stranded?” Anna looked around at the city streets where other people were dashing here and there for cover, calling for taxis, and waiting under awnings. “We seem to be in good company.”

Sean beamed at her. “You're a good sport.” He stepped out in the rain and began trying to wave down a taxi. Unfortunately, they seemed to be occupied. But he didn't give up, and after about twenty minutes, he finally got one to pull over. He waved victoriously at Anna, they both piled into the back, and Sean instructed the driver to take them to Anna's apartment in Greenwich Village.

“Well, this is an exciting way to end our day,” she told him.

“This wasn't how I planned it,” he said with disappointment.

“Apparently no one planned on a thunderstorm today. Not even the weatherman.” Anna was starting to shiver from her wet clothes but tried to hide it because she didn't want to make Sean feel any worse. “You're soaked to the skin,” she pointed out. “You should have the driver take you home first.”

“No,” he insisted. “You first.”

“Thanks,” she murmured.

“I wanted to finish off our day with dinner in Little Italy.” He sighed. “I thought we could walk there.”

“Oh.” Anna peered out the fogged up window. “It's still coming down cats and dogs out there.”

“I know.” He brightened. “But we could take a taxi. Maybe I could even arrange for this one to come back for us. That is, if you're game. Are you?”

“Sure,” she said with enthusiasm. “I'd love to see Little Italy.”

“Great.” He pulled out his phone. “Hopefully this still works. I'll see if I can make a reservation somewhere.”

She waited as he made several attempts. Even though it was Sunday and pouring rain, the restaurants seemed to be pretty busy. “Do you think you could be ready by 6:30?” he asked with a doubtful expression. “I know that's early. And it doesn't give you much time to change.”

She glanced at her watch, quickly calculating. “I think so.”

“Really?” He looked surprised.

She laughed. “I'm kind of a low-maintenance girl.”

He grinned. “I like that.”

She just hoped that she'd be able to get a turn in the shared bathroom. She really wanted a quick hot shower to warm her up. However, she had no idea what she would wear. She remembered how Marley had offered the use of her closet. Anna wasn't one to borrow clothes, but her only other option would be to wear her Ralph Lauren suit, and that seemed a little much.

“Here you go,” Sean announced as the taxi stopped. The windows were so foggy it was impossible to see out.

“I'll be back around 6:30. Our reservation is 6:45.”

“I'll be ready,” she called as she hopped out, dashing up the steps through the steady rain.

Anna felt chilled to the bone as she went into the apartment. Yet she felt surprisingly warm too. Maybe she was just generally conflicted about everything.

“What happened to you?” a woman dressed in warm-ups asked. “Take a dip in the river?” She laughed. “I'm Tia, by the way. You must be Anna.”

“Yes.” Anna shivered as she shook Tia's hand. “I got caught in the rainstorm. Is the bathroom available? I'd love a shower.”

“You're in luck. Kara and Sophie left for JFK just a few minutes ago.” Tia reached for the TV remote. “And I don't work until Tuesday.”

“Fantastic!” Anna dashed for the bathroom, stripping off her soggy clothes. Even though their shower pressure wasn't the greatest, she'd never enjoyed a hot shower more. But she knew time was limited—and she wanted to look her best. Okay, she knew that went against everything she'd been telling herself, off and on, all day. This was not a date, this was not a date. But there was no reason she couldn't dress like it was a date. After all, this was New York, and Marley had said she could borrow some clothes. Fortunately, they were about the same size.

Wrapped in a towel and with another one around her head, Anna streaked through the living room. “Someone's in a hurry,” Tia said absently.

“Yeah, I'm going out again.”

“A date?” Tia's brows arched with interest.

“More like a business dinner,” Anna said as she went into the bedroom.

“Well, you're lucky,” Tia called. “The rain has stopped.”

“Great!” Anna was going through Marley's closet now, trying to find something comfortable yet sophisticated. If her own clothes were here, she would probably wear her white linen sheath dress, but Marley didn't seem to have anything like that. Perhaps she had a little black dress. Didn't every woman in New York own a little black dress? Then—bingo—Anna pulled out a sleeveless black dress, holding it up to her. Hopefully it would fit okay.

Before long, she was standing before the door mirror, appraising her quickie makeover and not feeling disappointed. The dress fit perfectly, and her own black pumps went nicely with it. Worried that it might be cool out after the rainstorm, she borrowed one of Marley's oversized silk scarves to use as a shawl. Since her hair was still damp, she'd pinned it into a French twist. She put on her hoop earrings and bracelet bangles, and she felt like she was ready for her first night out in New York.

“You clean up well,” Tia commented as Anna emerged.

“Thanks. I think I'll go out to wait for the taxi.”

“I hear Marley's coming home tonight. I assume that means you'll be sleeping here.” She patted the love seat.

“Yes.” Anna nodded. “That's fine.”

“Although Kara and Sophie won't be back until tomorrow. They probably won't mind if you borrow a bed.”

“The love seat is fine,” Anna assured her. “I wouldn't want to borrow a bed without permission.”

“Looks like you borrowed Marley's Hermes.”

“What?” Anna was confused.

“The scarf. Marley got it in Paris. It's Hermes.”

“Oh.” Anna was unsure. “She said I had borrowing privileges. But is this something special? Should I—”

“No, no. Just don't lose it.”

Anna saw the taxi down below. “Okay. I have to go. The taxi's here.”

“Have fun.”

Anna was tempted to remove the scarf, but the taxi was honking. As she hurried out, she was determined to take special care of this scarf. It figured she'd pick something Marley had gotten in Paris. Hopefully it wouldn't rain again.
If it even looked like rain, Anna would remove the scarf, carefully fold it, and keep it in her purse. But the sky was clear and the air was fresh.

“Good evening,” Sean said as he met her at the top of the stairs. He looked her up and down. “Wow, you look lovely. Nice work.”

She smiled as she took in his dark pants and pale blue shirt. “You clean up pretty good yourself.”

“I've heard this restaurant is really special,” he told her as he opened the taxi door for her.

As the taxi drove, Sean told her a bit about Little Italy. “A lot of those immigrants that passed through Ellis Island—the Italian ones—wound up on Mulberry Street.”

“Mulberry Street? Like the children's book.”

He nodded. “Little Italy on Mulberry Street. Later it was shortened to Little Italy. They say that ten thousand Italian immigrants lived here in 1910, and it's a small area. Back then it was one of the poorest neighborhoods in New York. As the immigrants got their feet under them and their finances improved, they started leaving the city for places like Brooklyn, Staten Island, Long Island. Oh, not all the Italians left. But as they moved on, this area began to fill up with Chinese immigrants.” He pointed down a street. “In fact, Chinatown is right down there.”

“I'd like to see that sometime.”

“So would I. We'll have to check it out. Anyway, a lot of the Italian-Americans had started restaurants in those early years. This place was crawling with restaurants. There's still around fifty or so. Most of the Italians don't live here anymore, but it's still called Little Italy. The real estate here, just like Greenwich and SoHo, has really soared in value in
recent years. So now you've got some of New York's poorest living just down the street from New York's wealthiest. It's really a mixed bag.”

“Here you are,” the taxi driver announced.

“Let me help with—”

“No.” Sean put his hand on hers over her purse. “This is mine.”

Anna tried not to feel like this was a date as they got out of the taxi. Yet part of her wanted it to be a date. “Sean,” she said as they were going in. “Let's agree to go Dutch tonight, okay? You paid for our bus trip and—”

“And here I thought you were an old-fashioned girl.” He looked wounded.

“I just feel like I should—”

“I
want
to do this, Anna.” He looked into her eyes. “This is the best time I've had since arriving in New York.” He pushed open the door. “In fact, it's the best time I've had in ages.” He lowered his voice. “Just let me have this, okay?”

Feeling both elated and worried, she nodded. “Okay.”

He beamed at her as they got in line. “Besides, this is our last day of freedom, remember? School starts tomorrow.”

She laughed. “It does feel like that, doesn't it?”

After a bit, they were seated at a small round table, complete with a red-and-white checked tablecloth and a candle in a wax-covered bottle. “I love this,” she said as the hostess handed them their menus. “It's perfect.”

“Oh, good.” Sean opened his menu. “I was worried when we got here that it might be too rustic for your taste. I've heard the food is killer, though.”

“I love everything about it,” she said. “And I'm ravenous.”

“That hot dog didn't stay with you?” he teased.