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“Says the man who was in the Navy SEALs,” she said.
“I was told what to do, when to do it, and how to do it for over six years. I had no choice. It was strange to be in a city where I could do just about anything I wanted. Name it, and you can probably find it here. It was a hard adjustment, but I had my friends, and we had a common goal that kept us going. It made it easier for me. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for you, but you’re doing the best you can, which I consider pretty impressive.”
“You find it impressive that I hardly left my house for two weeks?” She glared at me like she clearly didn't believe me.
“I’m impressed that you came to the city at all. You made the conscious effort to not only take a job in a city you had never been to but one that was across the country from your family or anyone you’ve ever known. You found an apartment, figured out how to navigate the subway system, and get to and from work safely. Then you figured out where the best place to eat and buy groceries was. That might not seem like a lot, but that is. That is huge, and you should be proud of yourself. You could have turned tail and run away, but you didn’t. You stayed, and you should take that as a win.”
“A very small win.”
“Still a win.”
“I forgot what an optimistic person you are.”
“Thank you, and one who’s looking forward to seeing what you think of this island I’ve taken you to,” I said and stepped aside so she could see Governors Island. She got a glimpse of the trees and the greenery there, but she wouldn’t see the expansiveness of it until we got off the ship.
She looked over my shoulder and saw the island for the first time. We had been so intent on our conversation I had hardly felt the ship pull into the dock. I watched as she looked at the two docks, with one saying “Governors” and the other “Island.” The two buildings next to it looked the same from when the island was originally commissioned and gave a feeling that you were stepping back in time.
Zoey looked at me and gave me a huge smile. It was the first genuine smile I had seen on her face all day. She had been tense, pensive even when we were at the museum. I had thought it was nerves, but I could see now it had been because she was uncomfortable. I could tell that she was happier with this outing than being at the museum. The smile took my breath away, and I wanted to stand there and stare at her and it as long as I could.
She moved away from the rail, and we exited the boat with the rest of the passengers. Some were holding baskets to have a picnic, and kids ran away from the parents and towards the grass area. The sun was high overhead, and it had turned into a wonderful day. It was even better that I had Zoey next to me.
We got off the ship and headed towards Fort Jay and the surrounding houses. Most of the structures were closed, but it was still fun to walk around them, and I could see that Zoey was fascinated by what she was seeing. We headed down towards the east side and the water edge, where there were more houses. Some were open, and they had some artists in residence that were selling their wares.
One had created handmade stuffed animals of underwater creatures, and I bought an octopus and a dolphin for my nieces. Their birthdays were coming up, and I knew they would get a kick out of the presents. I saw Zoey eying a puzzle ring. It had four different silver rings that all attached in just the right way to make a wave. She and the saleswoman had fun trying to put it back together when they had made it fall apart. It had taken some work, but the look of triumph on Zoey’s face when she did was spectacular.
She immediately took it apart and tried to put it back together. She was faster the second time, but she was still as fascinated by it. After the third time, she put it down, thanked the saleswoman, and then walked away from it. I had been buying the stuffed animals when she had started looking at the ring, and she hadn’t seen me watching her. I immediately went over, picked it up, and took it to the register.
“I’ll take this too,” I said.
“It’s a fun little ring. I have one myself,” the saleswoman said.
Zoey came up, looked down at the ring, and I could see how much she liked it. “For your sister?” she asked.
“No. It’s for you,” I said and looked at her over my shoulder.
She leaned away from me and shook her head. “No, You don’t need to do that. It’s too much.”
“It isn’t, and I want to. You should have something to remember your first trip to Governors Island,” I said, pulled out my wallet, and paid for it.
“Thank you. That is very sweet of you,” Zoey said.
“Do you want to put it in a bag or wear it out?” The saleswoman asked Zoey.
“I’ll take it in the bag,” she said.
We finished the transaction, and we walked out of the shop, Zoey swinging the bag as we did. The ring hadn’t been that expensive, and even if it had been, it was worth it to see her smile. I wanted to give her everything I could. It actually endeared her more to me that she didn’t want me to buy it for her, though I was worried it was because she didn’t want any mementos of me.
She was warming up to me, we were having a good time, and I wanted her to feel comfortable around me. She was getting there slowly, but I could still feel her holding back. Today was just a taste of what we could be, what we could have, and I wanted her to see that I cared about her not just as a friend but as something more.
There were a few times she would look at me, and I could see the attraction she felt, even if she was trying to deny it. It was something to work with, and if giving her a ring, one she liked and would have fun with, would make her think of me and hopefully remember the day, I was going to do it. Walking next to her, I looked down at the bag and then up at her and vowed that today would be the first of many days for us together.
“Are you hungry? There should be some food trucks around the corner, and they usually have a band playing.”
“Yeah. That sounds like fun. Let’s go,” she said.
“Maybe I can convince you to take a turn on the dance floor with me,” I teased.
“Oh, you don’t want to do that. I’m a horrible dancer,” she said.
