I arrived in New York late. You name it, and it had gone wrong in LA. Late equipment, long lines at Security, not enough gate agents, limited visibility....all the usual excuses the airlines give when they can't do their fucking job!
By the time I reached my hotel, it was almost midnight. I was tired and hungry (I refuse to eat airline food no matter what) and of course, the kitchen was closed. After I dropped my bags, I raced out to find the closest open restaurant for some food and drink. Midtown seemed deserted and rather than wander around hoping for some luck, I hailed a cab and headed downtown where I knew I could find plenty of options.
I settled on a great late night place where I could get some fantastic sashimi and a strong martini. Of course, it was crowded. The night was just beginning for this crowd so; I ended up at the bar with my Toro and my vodka. I gulped the first martini like a drowning man gulps air. As I waited for the second and my dinner, the seat next to me was occupied by a very attractive woman dressed in jeans, a black t-shirt that she must have stolen from her baby sister and bright orange flip flops. Her dark hair was pulled back loosely and she wore little make up. Everything about her was my type including the tattoo on her left foot. It appeared to be a "Rain Forest" frog leaping across her instep and was obviously done by a real artist. What a coincidence. I must have been staring because I looked up and she was giving me that NY look that says WTF?
"Ah, sorry, it's just, ah your frog," I stammered.
"OH!" She seemed relieved and smiled.
Now I was totally fucked because her smile completely undid me. It lit her whole face up and I felt mine getting warm.
"Do you like tattoos?" She asked.
"Yeah, I have one on my back but it's not as colorful as yours."
"What's it of?" She asked putting me at ease again.
"Well, I'm not sure I know you well enough for that yet." I said trying (and failing) to be cool.
A look of doubt crossed her face like a cloud and I rushed to diffuse my idiocy.
"Just kidding," I continued. "It's a hand print. Nothing special to look at but it has some meaning for me so what the hell."
Our conversation continued and I was really enjoying her company. I had kind of lost track of time when I started to order us another round,
"No no," she said, shaking her head at the bartender.
Turning back to me, she continued, "you're not allowed to have another martini and I'm sick of drinking here. It's too loud and the booze is overpriced. I live a few blocks from here and after you walk me home, I'll make you a perfect espresso while you tell me all about living in LA."
Stunned as I was at my incredible good fortune, I practically leapt over the bar and tackled the bartender to pay the check. We were out the door in a flash, enjoying the early summer night in Manhattan.
I have no clue how long we walked or where we were I was fixated on her and what might happen when we got to her apartment. As is typical in NYC, it was very small but she had done a nice job of keeping it cleanly decorated and it felt bigger than it actually was. Not waiting for an espresso, I moved closer to her only to feel her hand on my chest.
"Sorry big boy, no touching, at least not tonight."
I was crushed!