Coffee in Manhattan

 

Thursday morning, the train chugs along, sceneries blur outside the window. Scotty rests in his carrier, under the blue and grey vinyl train seat. Scarlett shivers from the draft, and wraps a pink, maroon, and crème plaid shawl over her.  On the seat beside her, the train tickets, one for her and one for Scotty, give her something to review, to read and busy her mind with.  She gazes at the waterproof suitcases, one medium sized for her and one small, for Scotty. She is packed for the weekend. The train whistle blows and announces the arrival to Manhattan. It comes to stop. She waits for the line of passengers to diminish before rising from the train seat, and exiting with Scotty. Outside beyond the crowded paved walkways of the train station, she finds a patch of grass.

Cool crisp air surrounds Scarlett as she frees Scotty from his carrier, allowing him to stretch his legs. The fall foliage is peaking, all the trees have beautiful colors such as, purple, red, orange and yellow, framing sidewalks. Some are rooted sporadically throughout green spaces and in perfectly aligned dirt filled squared gaps in the sidewalks. Scarlett steps into the hotel for an early check in, leaving unnecessary luggage in her room.

She drapes her brown leather tote over her shoulder, beholding any odds and ends she may need throughout the day. Scotty looks up at her, coffee brown eyes, softened, tilting his head, wagging his grey fluffy tail. "Yes, Scotty i packed you some water and food, also treats." A low bark escapes his toothy mouth, as if responding. She holds up a beefy treat for Scotty. His bottom quickly finds the floor, he awaits the treat, his mouth watering, eyes lock on Scarlett. His grey moist nose, points in the air, sniffing the treat.

"Let's go for a walk and see Central Park." Scarlett says to Scotty. Another bark sounds off.

She bears his leash in her right hand, Scotty struts through Central Park whilst horns honk, the quiet swoosh of cars passing by, and distant chatter from the nearby crowds reach Scarlett's ears. The smell of warm beef, and cheese brush her way. She looks around then approaches a red and yellow painted cart with metal accents, it has a picture of a hot dog plastered on both sides. A man prepares hot dogs for customers with a quickness only seen in Manhattan.

By now it’s late afternoon, the golden sun rests midway in the sky, casting hues of pink, and lavender yet still light blue, and provides little warmth. The mid October air, cool, and breathable still surrounds Scarlett. I will soon need to get gloves and a hat, I would like a fancy warm hat as well not just a regular beanie.

Scarlett’s adjusts her brown leather jacket which keeps her warm throughout the afternoon. Scotty and Scarlett walk the paved sidewalks through the park. She notices several hotdog stands, a ballerina dancing, musicians playing, and  various people walking or running by. Her auburn curls mostly still as she observes cyclists riding by. Scarlett decides to jog a little and Scotty picks up the pace. He carefully watches her and ahead of them as they trot along.  Scarlett stops to feed Scotty and give him water.

She marvels at the red leaves maple trees which surround the park. I just love Autumn. 

Scarlett pauses, a coffee shop appears in front of her.  A pumpkin skinny latte. She glances at Scotty, her eyes move about seeking somewhere to place him to grab a drink. Scarlett kneels down, scoops up Scotty and lowers him into her brown tote. She holds her body firmly, and walks into the coffee shop bearing Scotty in her bag. A sense of relief falls on her when no one seems to notice Scotty or complains of his presence. Scarlett sips on her pumpkin skinny latte, the aroma hits her nose before she tastes it. Spicy, coffee, energizing her mind, just from breathing it in. The warm drink trickles down her throat as she savors the spicy flavor. She glances at her phone assessing the time, her stomach grumbles. "Scotty, we will go back to the hotel now. Mommy is going to eat by herself."

Scotty tilts his head, and follows along. 

Scotty lays down on a cushioned mat in his carrier, Scarlett's the black wire door. She strolls outside the hotel, by herself and stumbles upon a pizza parlor.  Scarlett holds a laminated menu, her eyes look over the contents. Her reddish-brown curls bounce as she lifts her head up.  " A zero sugar root beer and wheat dough chicken and veggie pizza please!"

An employee, sprinkled in flour, takes her order, mostly in silence.  

Scarlett walks along, feeling a piece of spinach stuck in her teeth, she runs her tongue along to dislodge it. A tomato and garlic flavor lingers in her mouth. The night glow of lights in Times square fades as she nears her hotel. She gazes around her surroundings, maintaining a straight posture, walking purposefully alone.

Back at the hotel she messages Oliver, “Hey Oliver how are you doing?”

   “Howdy, Scarlett, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I will be boarding my plane soon and hope to rest along the way. How is your night going?”   

   Scarlett replies, “Good, Scotty and I took the train over here to NYC this morning, we walked around central park, I found some good pizza for dinner and now we are resting for the night. The weather is great.  I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. “

Oliver replies, “ Nice, sounds like a wonderful day. I have to board the plane now. See you soon beautiful!”

Scarlett messages,  “ok have a safe flight handsome!”

The next morning Scarlett, awakens to her phone chiming, it’s Oliver he has arrived in NYC. He has checked in earlier at his hotel and is ready to meet for coffee. “Are you and Scotty ready to meet me?”

Scarlett, responds with “ I just woke up it’ll be a bit before I am ready. Do you want to meet at my hotel and we will go from there? Scarlett sends the hotel address to Oliver. He will be in the lobby in about an hour.

  Scarlett takes Scotty out for a potty break and quickly returns upstairs to get ready to see Oliver.

  She dresses in grey slacks that flare at the bottom with cushioned dark blue pumps, and a light blue sweater. She puts on her green plaid wool pea coat and a wool blue beret. She puts a green plaid sweater on Scotty and attaches his leash, she grabs his foldable bowls a bag of food for later and a bottle of water.  They head out the door.

  There is Oliver waiting in the lobby with a bouquet of roses for Scarlett and a dog treat for Scotty. Oliver is wearing a grey wool pea coat with a green sweater and black slacks and black dress shoes.

He smiles and meets her in her tracks. Oliver gives her a hug and kiss, it’s great to see you again Scarlett, he gives Scotty a treat and pets him as he wags his tail and pets Scarlett just stares at Oliver and smiles. Well, he is just handsome thought Scarlett.  Scarlett asks the reception to put her flowers in water in her room. Oliver wraps his arm around Scarlett as the doors open, Scarlett holds Scotty by the leash and they walk outside.

 They stroll and find a coffee shop where they can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.  Scarlett sips on a pumpkin spice latte and egg white bites while Oliver sips on a pecan praline latte and a protein muffin. Scotty sits in between them on the ground watching the two of them. Scarlett and Oliver chat after they are finished eating. Scarlett asked about Oliver’s work and he smiles, “Work is great, I have flexibility and consistency with the company I am employed with. I work remotely a majority of the time so I can travel the world but do have to meet with clients sometimes. So you’ll be here awhile? I can spend some time up here. The northeast is nice, also I enjoy winter wonderlands like you.”

 Scarlett, smiles and says,” you know that is wonderful news. I have enjoyed your company this far, we can see where this goes.”

Oliver says, “how do you want to spend the rest of the day? “

Scarlett replies, “ we can sightsee and walk around I suppose, do you want to see the statue of liberty,”

Oliver replies,” Sure we can do that, let’s check and make sure Scotty can go to. “

Scarlett, “We can view the statue of Liberty but he will not be allowed in. What about an art museum? Do you like art? I can leave him in the hotel for a few hours then come back and check on him. “

Oliver says,” To the art museum we will go!” They take Scotty back to the hotel and then head off to the art museum. They hold hands as they stroll. The busy streets of Manhattan include cyclists riding, tons of pedestrians, cars honking, and sky scrapers.