We decided to stop in Times Square first to see if there were any interesting acts to check out before heading to my youth theater. I, being the “boy-crazy” girl that I am, was looking all around at guys like a dog chasing a light reflection. And then, with perfect timing, I bumped into him. Actually, he bumped into me… with his car! To this day I try to tell him, convince him, really, that it was my fault. I was the one boy watching, after all. Isn’t it funny how the fates work?
He got out of his car immediately to see if I was okay, my knight in shining armor! I was a little sore, to tell the truth, but the second I set eyes on him I felt like I was in heaven. He gazed me in the eyes and reached down to help me to my feet. When I saw his lips open to speak, all I ended up hearing was the most beautiful song in the world, like the voices of angels were singing in place of his voice.
“Are you alright?!” his voice rand in loud and clear that time. Not quite so angelic, but still beautiful. I immediately snapped back into reality.
“Huh?” was my response. I realized I was still sitting in the street.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt at all?” he gently helped pulled me up. My so-called friends weren’t even paying any attention yet to what had just happened. They were too busy sightseeing.
“No, no, no. That’s alright.” I limped up to full standing position. “I’m, umm… perfect.”
“Oh. Okay. Umm… I’m Jacob. Jacob Ramirez.”
“Oh. I’m Ambrosia Santiago, Amy for short.”
“Ambrosia? That’s a very interesting name.”
“Uh, yeah… my mother was, well, still is, a really big fan of Greek names, even though we’re all Spanish. I have a brother whose name is Jason, a bit more normal, but still Greek.” Oh, no. I shared too much, didn’t I? “I hope your car is not messed up.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m just relieved to see that you’re alright!”
“Me? Of course I’m alright. I’m a fighter!” I laughed at my own nervousness and slight stupidity.
“Umm… Amy?” called out a familiar voice. “Are you going to introduce us to your savior there or are we just gonna have to do it ourselves?”
Oh wow, my friends finally noticed that I am no longer trailing behind them. Amazing.
“Oh… sorry. Umm… this loud-mouthed friend of mine is Mike.”
“Hello, Mike,” he recited not being able to take his beautiful eyes off of me, which, of course, I had no objection to.
“And I’m Sarah.” Always the one to get ahead of the crowd, Sarah introduced herself in her best head of class voice. “What did you say your name was again?”
Jacob. I recited his name in my mind.
“Oh, it’s Jacob,” he relaxingly said and extended his loose hand towards her, the other one still holding me up. Sarah charmingly took it in an obviously flirtatious handshake. “Amy,” Jacob turned back to me quickly, “If you don’t mind, I’d like to take you to the hospital. You bumped your head pretty hard. I think you should get checked for a concussion or hemorrhaging.”
“Nope, she was this goofy before you hit her.” Mike, he thinks he’s so funny.
“No, Jacob, I’m telling you I’m okay. Really!” I nodded my head in assurance. “You weren’t going that fast! See, I can even walk down a straight line.”
“Amy, that’s a diagonal line in the street. Not such a good point of proof.”
“Mike, shut up!” I spun so fast back in Mike’s direction I nearly gave myself whiplash. After a ‘devil stare’ towards Mike, I turned to face Jacob once more. “Well, um, it was nice meeting you? Yes, it was nice meeting you, Jacob. Thanks for, um, hitting me with your car. Please note the sarcasm there and, uh, have a nice day.” I began to turn away from Jacob to head towards the train, but then he called back to me.
“Amy, will you let me buy you lunch or something? It’s the least I could do after nearly killing you.”
“Nearly killing me? Please, it’s only a few little cuts and bruises.”
“Yeah… like that one… here,” he gently rubbed his thumb over the cut on my forehead. “Uh, you should really get that cleaned up.” He briskly took his hand away.
“Oh, well, thanks for the invite, but-.”
“You’ve got other plans, I should have known. I mean no one comes to Times Square just for the heck of it.”
He obviously did not know me.
“Well, yes. We do have other plans, but, I didn’t mean it like that. How…” I had to choose my words wisely. I mean, I barely knew the guy. “How would you like to join us?” Talk about being blunt. “We’re just going downtown to a show.”
“Oh, no, that’s okay. I wouldn’t want to impose on your plans.”
“Nah, you wouldn’t be imposing if you’re given an invitation.” Mike put in his two cents. “And, it seems that Amy really wants you to go.” I shot Mike a look of embarrassment.
Way to put me out on the frontlines.
“Well, I’ll go only if you are sure.”
“Yeah, it’s no problem.” I perked up. “Trust me.”
“Oh, well, that sounds good, then. I didn’t have much to do today anyway.”
“So it all works out. We’ll meet you down there. It’s on 29th between Park and-“
“Meet me down there? I could drive you!”
“No way, dude!” Mike shouted. “We were planning on taking the train.”
“I insist that I drive you there.”
“Well, okay.” How could I say no? He was really, very sweet. So, we all hopped into his car, something I would never, ever do with a stranger, but there’s a first time for everything, right? Soon enough, we were on our way to the theatre.
