“Exactly!” Ashley chuckled.
The wonder wheel could be seen spinning in the distance. A unique take on the Ferris wheel, the passenger cabins were not fixed directly to the rim of the wheel leaving room for movement—that excited Ashley. Children ran by in every direction enjoying ice cream cones and cotton candy, parents chased aimlessly, trying to keep up. The sound of rollercoasters, carousels and numerous fairground rides brought back a flash of memories from her childhood. There was once a time her parents had been happily married. She adored her sister—minus the normal sibling rivalry, of course, they were the perfect all-American family. That changed quickly as she got older, a time she tried to block out.
“Are you hungry?”Megan asked.
“A little. What doyou fancy?”
“Where do yourecommend?”
Ashley pointed towards the large building painted in shades of green and yellow—it said ‘Nathan’s Famous’.
“Hot dogs?”
“Sure, it’s the original. If you come to Coney Island you have to get a Nathan’s Hotdog, it’s the law.”
“Okay, lead the way.”
The queue was surprisingly short for such an iconic franchise. Megan found a place to sit, the red and yellow parasols highlighting the wooden benches reserved for Nathan’s Famous customers. Ashley appeared five minutes later with two hot dogs smothered in chilliand cheese.
“I got you the same as me. I hope that’s alright?”
“Of course,thank you.”
The hotdogs weren’t about to win an award for presentation, but the taste never disappointed. She watched Megan take one large bite, the remnants of cheese covering her lips, an insatiable release of noise left her mouth indicating her enjoyment of said hot dog.
“Good?” Ashley enquired.
“So good. I don’t remember them being this nice.” They savoured every last delightful bite. “I didn’t even offer you any money. How much was it?”
“Don’t be silly.It’s on me.”
“Do you buy all your friends’ hotdogs?”
“Just the pretty ones.” Ashley winked.
Megan blushed, hiding behind the paper napkin she dabbed at her face. She quickly changedthe subject.
“Are you doing anything for the Fourth of July?”
“I normally go home and visit my mom for the weekend, but I think we might have a party at our house this year. Macy’s sponsors a huge firework display in the city—the view is great from our rooftop. What about you? England doesn’t celebrate the Fourth of July, right?”
Megan shook her head. “Nope. I wish I could stay for that.”
“Can’t you?”
“It would be too late to change myflight now.”
“That sucks.” Ashley watched intently as Megan fidgeted with the long strands of hair that whipped with the wind, adjusting it to avoid knotting.
“Do you think we can stay friends?” Megan gazed intently.
“If that’s what you want?” It wouldn’t have been her first choice. She favoured the chance to explore what they could have been, but Ashley had been left with noalternative.
“I would really like to.” Megan smiled. “I will come back to New York at least once a year—it would be nice to catch upwhen I do.”
Ashley agreed half-heartedly, “Me too.” There was no real intent to have a once-a-year friendship with anyone, but she felt obliged.
“Is it weird that...” Megan stopped dead inher tracks.
