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Sitting on the couch, she asked, “Please don’t tell me you were checking in on things at the restaurant.”
Damn it. She heard me.
“No. I was checking on something else. Are you ready to go?” I asked, hoping to change the subject.
She got up and said, “Ready as I’m ever going to be. But you know I’m not a fan of heights.”
“It’s not that bad. And besides, you don’t have to stand near the rail.”
Mom chuckled. “I didn’t plan on doing that.”
Yet seeing the Empire State Building was your idea.
“There are a lot of other things we can do if you really don’t want to go on a skyscraper,” I said.
“Is it too late to get tickets for a Broadway show?” she asked.
“Tonight?” After begging and being granted a new appointment, calling Damien and asking for my original time back was impossible. His words didn’t say he was irritated, but I heard it in his tone. Couldn’t blame him either. This was an inconvenience. I was not about to push my luck any further.
“I think that is something we should do when it rains, like tomorrow.”
Mom nodded. “I guess you’re right. It’s just that you don’t look excited to be going out today. Thought maybe you were tired and wanted to rest a while.”
“No. I’m fine. I was up late last night,” I said.
“Doing what?” she questioned.
“Looking out the window. I can’t believe it. This really is the city that never sleeps. I’m used to bars being the only places open past eleven. These restaurants keep going. I think our staff would quit if we did that.”
“Don’t have to worry about it. Even if we were open, we wouldn’t have any customers," she chuckled.
“Very true.”
“Maybe you’re not the city girl you think you are,” she stated.
I shrugged. “Maybe I’m a little of both.”And maybe Damien will be able to tell me why.“I think we should get going.”
“You really are excited. Never took you as the tourist type.”
“You know I’ve always wanted to come to the United States,” I reminded her. For some reason, even though Canada bordered the US, she never took me. It wasn’t for the lack of my asking either. Even when I became an adult and was able to travel on my own, I was too busy with college and later with the restaurant. Just didn’t get the chance.
“You’re here now.” Mom grabbed her purse and said, “Hope you’re not disappointed.”
“Why would I be?” I asked.
“Because sometimes when you want something for too long, it doesn’t really meet your expectations when you finally get it.”
I wasn’t sure if she was talking about sightseeing any longer but couldn’t figure out what she was talking about. Her eyes looked sad, and I didn’t want her to go down that path. Not now. This was supposed to be fun.
“I know one thing that I am craving right now that I really hope doesn’t disappoint.”
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Cheesecake with fresh strawberries on top,” I sighed and rubbed my stomach.
Mom smiled and suggested, “I’m buying if we stop for lunch first.”
I giggled as I followed her out of our hotel room. Mom never let me pay for anything but on this trip I knew better and was going to make sure the waitress gave me the bill.
