Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Well, Levi seems very nice,” Mom says, taking my arm, and I sigh.
“Yes, he’s nice,” I agree, because he really is nice.
“I like him.”
“Mom, you like everyone,” I grumble. My mom has never met a person she hasn’t liked; I swear she could find a likable quality in a serial killer if left alone with him long enough.
“I like him, too,” Dad says, holding out his arm for a cab.
“Surprise, surprise.” I roll my eyes as a cab pulls to a stop in front of us. My dad opens the door for my mom and me to get in the back, and he gets into the front with the driver. Sitting there, I listen absently as my parents chat until my dad asks the driver to pull over so we can walk the last few blocks, since traffic is backed up.
“Are you excited, honey?” Mom questions, leaning into my side as soon as we’re out of the cab and on the sidewalk.
“Yes.” I smile at her. I don’t get to go to shows often, since the tickets are so expensive, but I love getting to pick whatever show I want for my birthday each year. It’s always something I look forward to.
“Come on.” Dad’s arm wraps around my shoulders, pulling me against this bulky chest and holding me there while leading me down the block. Finally getting to the theater, we get in line to pick up our tickets from the box office, then head inside, where we are directed to the first floor. The theater is huge and packed with men, women, and kids from all walks of life, some dressed up to see the show, others wearing jeans and sweaters and pulling luggage along with them.
“We’re gonna go find the restrooms.” Mom smiles as I head toward the concession stand. “We’ll meet you at our seats.”
“Okay, do you guys want anything?”
“Wine for me.” She grins.
“A rum and Coke and a bag of popcorn,” Dad says, wrapping his hand around my mom’s.
“Sure,” I agree, then watch them disappear in the crowd. Waiting in line for what seems like forever, I finally make it to the front and place my order, making sure to get a magnet since I have one from every show I’ve ever gone to. With a drink holder, my dad’s popcorn, and a bag of peanut M&M’s in my pocket, I make my way to the front of the packed theater. Finding my parents already seated, I take the seat next to my mom, unpack the drink carrier, and take off my coat, all the while listening to the quiet hum of excitement around me.
Staring at the red drapes blocking the stage, my mind wanders to what’s going on between Levi and me as I nibble my M&M’s and sip my wine.
“What?” I ask when I turn to find both my parents smiling at me.
“Nothing,” Dad mutters, shoving a handful of popcorn in his mouth as my mom winks and pats my hand. I don’t have long to wonder what that’s about. The lights dim, and the show starts, pushing all thoughts of Levi out of my head as I watch in wonder as the magic of The Lion King on Broadway unfolds in front of my eyes.
“So was it everything you thought it would be?” Mom asks after the show comes to an end and the people start to put on their coats and leave.
“Everything and more. I can’t believe how magical it was, how amazing the props were. It was way better than the movie.”
“It was cool,” my dad agrees, helping my mom into her coat as I put mine on. “I didn’t think anything could top Hamilton, but this show was very well done.”
“It really was,” Mom says, touching his cheek with her hand, and he turns his head to kiss her palm. God, my parents are seriously still so in love that it’s crazy, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that no matter how long it takes, I will wait for a real love—because I want a love like they have. I want to look at the man I’m with over thirty years later and still feel my face get soft the way my mom’s does when she looks at my dad.
“Can we stop and get a hot dog before we head back to the apartment?” Dad asks, and Mom shakes her head.
“You and those darn hot dogs,” she grumbles.
“They’re good.” He smiles, and I laugh. No street-cart food is really good, but my dad likes standing in the middle of Times Square eating a hot dog while looking at the lights.
“If we must,” Mom agrees, giving in like she does every year.
“Thanks, darlin’.” He kisses the top of her head, then leads us out of the theater with the crowd. As soon as we’re outside, we make our way down the block toward the bright lights. Stopping at the first food cart we see, we order two hot dogs and a pretzel covered with cinnamon and sugar, then wander slowly through the crowd of people. There are some truly beautiful places in the world, and Times Square is one of them. It’s not full of rare, beautiful history like the Louvre in France, but it’s still beautiful in its own way. Standing under the bright lights with people from all over the world around you fills you with an energy that is impossible to describe unless you have experienced it firsthand. I still remember the first time my parents brought us to Manhattan. The first time they bundled us up and took us to see Times Square. That was when I fell in love with the city.