“That’s right,” Kara said as she emerged from her room in a terry bathrobe. “Dinner literally lasts three hours.”
“Three hours?” Anna blinked. “The restaurant people don’t mind?”
“They expect it to last that long,” Kara explained as she opened the bathroom door. “It’s supposed to be an all night sort of thing.”
“The food is killer,” Sophie said. “It’s all American cuisine, but done with real flair. Fabulous service too. I think you’d like it, Anna.”
Anna glanced at her watch, surprised to see that it was nearly 7:00 and neither Sophie or Kara looked the least bit ready to go anywhere. “What time is your reservation?”
“Nine, but we’ll leave here around 8:30. I better get a move on.” Kara ducked into the bathroom.
“If your reservation’s at 9:00,” Anna said to Sophie, “and you stay for three hours, it’ll be midnight by the time you’re done.”
“Or later.” Sophie nodded eagerly. “The night will just be starting up by then.”
Anna wondered if she’d been living with her grandmother for too long.
“Come on,” Sophie urged. “I know we can fit you in. The more the merrier.”
“Thanks so much for asking,” Anna told her. “But I have an early morning appointment. I think I’d better pass.”
“An early morning appointment on Sunday?” Sophie frowned. “With who?”
Anna made a shy smile. “Actually, it’s with Sean.”
“Aka Mr. Ryan Reynolds?” Sophie’s eyes lit up.
“His name really is Sean O’Neil,” Anna clarified. “I promised to meet him at 9:00. We’re going to do some sightseeing together.”
Sophie gave her a suspicious sideways glance. “I thought you said you two were just friends?”
“Oh, we are.” Anna nodded. “Friends can go sightseeing, can’t they?”
Sophie’s smile returned. “Sure, they can. I don’t blame you for passing on tonight. If I had to get up that early, I’d say forget it too. Guess I should start getting ready.”
“It’s been a jam-packed day already,” Anna said more to herself than to Sophie. “I think I’ll make an early night of it.”
As Kara and Sophie got ready for their big night, taking turns dashing back and forth from the bedroom to the bathroom, Anna kicked off her shoes and curled up on the love seat. Absently flipping through the various magazines on the cluttered coffee table, she tried to imagine what it would feel like to be those two or even the missing Tia and Marley. They all seemed like such happy-go-lucky, carefree New Yorkers. Yet the idea of eating dinner at 9:00 until midnight and then going out on the town after that—well, Anna didn’t get it. She couldn’t admit as much to her “roommates,” but compared to them, she felt like an old lady. Or maybe she was just tired.
She was relieved when they finally made their grand exit, dressed to the nines. They told her to have a nice evening, though it was obvious from their expressions they were certain she’d made a big mistake by staying in. After they were gone, Anna straightened up the little living room a bit. Then she went outside and sat on the top of the steps in front of the apartment building. It was warm and balmy out, and people were still moving up and down the street. Clearly, in the minds of most New Yorkers, the night was young.
Anna watched the passersby with curious interest, almost as if she was a scientific observer, trying to determine what made New Yorkers tick. There was no denying that there was a distinct feeling of energy in the air. Just sitting out here on the sun-warmed stone steps made her want to change her mind about going out tonight. However, it was too late, and with the sky growing dusky and the shadows growing longer, she was reluctant to venture out alone. Maybe she would go out with her roommates the next time they asked. If they asked.
Back in the apartment, Anna decided to call her grandmother and fill her in on her day. She even told her about Sean O’Neil and their plans to do some sightseeing tomorrow.
“Oh, those O’Neils are such nice folks,” Grandma said. “I don’t really know too much about Sean, but Robert O’Neil is the salt of the earth.” She began a story about how Sean’s dad had come to her rescue more than thirty years ago. “I got a flat tire a few miles out of town, and my spare was flat too. Well, that was before cellular phones, and the country road was pretty quiet. Straight out of the blue, Robert O’Neil happens along. He stops and offers to fix my tire. Even though he was on his way to some meeting and wearing his good suit, he got down on his knees and put his own spare tire on my car, right there on the side of the road.” She paused for a breath. “I hadn’t even purchased my tires at O’Neil’s, but that good man never charged me for a thing. Just asked me to return the tire when I got around to replacing mine. Well, I became an O’Neil customer that same day. Your grandpa did too.”
Anna smiled, thinking that sometimes small towns were nice.
“You be good to that Sean O’Neil,” Grandma said. “And you have fun tomorrow, Anna. Take lots of pictures for me.”
Anna promised to do that.
“I’ve got your things all packed up for you,” Grandma told her. “They fit just fine in your big red suitcase. I’ve got it sitting by the door for Marley to pick up tomorrow. Right handy she could do that for you, Anna. Makes me think that the good Lord is really looking out for you.” She sighed. “A comfort to me when I think of you out there in New York City.”
“It’s really a lovely place,” Anna told her. They talked awhile longer, but Anna could tell that Grandma was tired. She apologized for keeping her up past her bedtime, and they both said good night. Although it was only 10:00 and probably far too early by most New Yorkers’ standards, Anna went to bed with no regrets.
The next morning, Anna woke early as usual. She was a little surprised to notice that the bed across from hers was filled now. Tia must’ve gotten home late last night. As Anna tiptoed to the bathroom, she felt pretty sure that everyone in the apartment was fast asleep. She suspected they would sleep like this for a couple more hours, but she didn’t mind having the place to herself. She took her time showering and even did some primping.
Even though her “carry-on” wardrobe was limited, she wanted to look good for her sightseeing day. To spruce up her khaki pants and simple white shirt, she added a red and blue scarf she borrowed from Marley. She even put on a pair of small gold hoop earrings and a bangle bracelet. As she was giving her hair a final check, she reprimanded herself. “This is not a date,” she whispered into the bathroom mirror. “Not a date—you hear?”
The streets of the city were pretty quiet now. Oh, there were a few folks meandering about. Some even looked like they were on their way to church. Anna wondered if she’d try going to a New York church sometime. That would certainly make her grandma happy.
Before long she was at the hotel, and there was Sean, standing outside of Elsie Dolce eating something gooey.
“That looks good,” she said as she joined him.
“I almost got you one too,” he said as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. “But I wasn’t sure if you were into sweets. So many girls aren’t these days.”
“Well, I’d probably be better off if I wasn’t.” She looked longingly into the shop. “Unfortunately, I happen to like sweets. In moderation, of course.”
“Let me get you—”
“No,” she insisted. “You keep working on that, and I’ll go pick something out.”
“Then maybe we can find some good coffee to wash it down.”
“Sounds perfect.” Anna went inside and, feeling a little silly, asked the girl working the counter if she remembered what Sean had just gotten. “It looked yummy.”
“Oh, yeah—that was a chocolate cannoli,” the girl told her. “Elsie just made those yesterday. A little messy, but dee-lish.”
Soon Anna was out on the sidewalk enjoying her own cannoli. After they cleaned off their sticky fingers, Sean led the way to the nearest coffee shop, and with coffees in hand, they headed for
the subway.
“I’ve put together a plan for us,” he explained as they went down the stairs. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I wasn’t even sure where I’d start.”
“Well, I know it’s a little touristy cliché,” he said apologetically, “but ever since I spent time in Ireland, I’ve been dying to see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. You haven’t seen either of them yet, have you?”
“I saw Lady Liberty from a distance,” she told him.
“But not up close?”
“No. And I’d love to.”
“Great.” He led her to a vending machine. “You can get your subway pass here. I suggest you get this one.” He pointed to a spot on the machine. “It’s the best value if you think you’ll ever be using the subway again.”
“Well, it’s all Greek to me,” she said as she retrieved her debit card and slid it through the slot. “I do plan to use the subway.”
“I don’t like to sound paranoid,” he said, “but I always give these machines a good look to make sure there’s no monkey business.”
“Monkey business?” She retrieved her subway card. “What do you mean?”
“Identity theft.” He pointed to the slot where she’d inserted her debit card. “If you ever see a black plastic piece stuck on around here, be suspicious.” He explained how criminals would adhere a camouflaged camera in place to photograph victims’ cards as well as PIN numbers. “They design the device to look like it belongs there. Most people don’t even notice it.”
“Wow, thanks for pointing that out to me.”
“Emily—that’s my ex.” He gave her a crooked smile as they got in line. “She used to accuse me of being an overly vigilant, über-protective, type A personality.” He made a sheepish shrug. “I suppose in some ways she was right.”
“Well, I appreciate your help,” she assured him. “The truth is, I feel like a fish out of water in this big city. I’d really like to fit in better, but I think it’s going to take some time.”
The train came rushing toward them. “Just follow my lead,” he said quickly, but instead of going ahead of her, he gently directed her from behind. Before she knew it they were on the train, the doors whooshed closed, and the train took off.
Anna gave him a nervous but grateful smile. As the train sped through the underground tunnel, she felt split in two. Half of her was falling for this guy—falling hard. The rest of her, the sensible half, was holding back. They were co-workers and if she wanted to maintain and protect her job at the Rothsberg—a position she desperately needed—she had to keep a sensible professional distance. That was just what she intended to do.
14
How was it possible that one’s entire life direction could change in the course of a single day? Never mind that it was a beautiful, magical sort of day. The kind of blue-skies-and-sunshine day where the very air smelled fresh and good and where noisy children were charming, old people were photogenic, and everything around her looked shiny and bright and new. It was the kind of incredibly wonderful day that only comes once in a lifetime. Oh, she knew that sounded like exaggeration, but deep inside she knew it was true. There were moments, like when they both were silently awestruck by the majestic Lady Liberty, when Anna felt like she was starring in her own film—with Sean playing the romantic lead. It was that good!
Even so, she still could not afford to allow this amazing day to derail her life and her plans. She had to remember what was at stake—and where she had been stuck for the last two years. Did she really want to go back to that? No, she could not give in to the magic of this day. Yet how could she stop it?
Despite her resolve, Anna had felt herself helplessly slipping even as they waited to board the ferry that would take them to visit Ellis Island. All because Sean had knelt down to help a young boy tie his shoe. The boy’s parents were distracted by their other two younger children, and this young fellow had been on the verge of tears, trying to get his shoe tied like his mom had kept insisting must be done before it was time to board the boat. Anna had suppressed the urge to grab her phone and take a photo of this sweet scene as Sean consoled the boy and helped him with his laces. Instead, she took a mental picture. That way it would be only for her.
They boarded the ferry, and soon she and Sean were standing together alongside the boat’s railing, gazing out over the bright blue water toward the tall green statue. Anna tried to keep her countenance serene, but a battle was waging inside of her. She had no idea how she would keep these overwhelming feelings suppressed throughout the day. Especially since it was still morning!
She wondered if it was useless. Perhaps the best thing would be to just give in. Let the chips fall where they may. Because everything about Sean was so appealing, so unexpected, so perfect. It wasn’t just his looks. Even if he was unattractive—and the truth was, she wished that he was a little less gorgeous—she knew she’d still be falling for him. She loved that Sean was so in the moment, so involved and interested in everything around him, and at the same time so involved and interested in her. She could tell that to the casual observer, she and Sean looked like a real couple. And she liked that. At the same time, she was vexed at herself for liking it.
“Ellis Island suffered a lot of damage during Hurricane Sandy.” Sean pointed to the island up ahead. “The whole island was submerged and the basements flooded. A lot of the old photos and documents were damaged.”
“Oh dear.” Anna shook her head. “Was there any way to save them?”
“Yes. They’re with conservationists in Maryland. They’re being restored, and as the various exhibit areas are repaired and reopened, they’ll bring all the artifacts back.”
“That’s good to know. There’s so much history packed into this place.”
“Anyway, a lot of the exhibits have opened back up,” he explained. “I’m not sure if the elevator is working yet, though. I heard someone say that as a result of Sandy, they had been running the island tours in a way that was very similar to how it was when our ancestors came. Kind of bare bones.”
“Oh, I like that.” Anna nodded.
“Yeah. So do I.”
Sean told her about how his great-great-grandparents came to America from Ireland in the early 1900s. “Growing up, I never thought anything of their migration. It was living in Ireland the past few years that made me curious about them.”
“Why is that?”
“I was curious as to why they left. I mean, I realize Ireland has had more than its share of problems. English oppression. Religious bickering. The economy. But being there and seeing everything, well, I wondered why my grandparents gave up on it. Ireland is such a beautiful place.” He turned to look at her. “Have you ever been there?”
“No, but I’d love to see it someday. When I was in college, learning hotel management, Ireland was on my short list of places that interested me.”
“Well, you should go then. It’s a truly magical land. At one point I considered making a permanent home there myself.”
“With Emily?” Even as she said this, she wished she hadn’t.
He simply nodded. “I know now that wasn’t meant to be.”
“Still, you didn’t remain in Ireland,” she pointed out. “Maybe you’re more like your grandparents than you realize.”
He turned to grin at her. “Maybe I am.”
“I realize that visiting Ellis Island is different for everyone,” she said quietly. “I’ve even heard it described as a spiritual experience. I want you to know that if you need to do some exploring on your own, I totally understand.”
He peered into her eyes, and she couldn’t help but notice that his were the same color as the deep blue water behind him. “Thank you for offering that, Anna. That’s very thoughtful. If I get really wrapped up in something, which might happen, I encourage you to keep on moving. I’ve got your phone number, so we can always reconnect later.”
“Yes. That’s a good plan.” She felt a mixture of relief and a
ngst. On one hand, she would be glad to put some space between them. It would give her a chance to compose herself and deal with these feelings. On the other hand, was he tired of her already? She watched with wonder as the large building came into sight. “It looks like a palace,” she said quietly.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Sean responded. “It must’ve been a welcome sight to the immigrants.”
Anna studied the architecture of the building as the ferry slipped up to the dock. It appeared to be constructed of red bricks with lots of white trim. What gave it the palace look was the four towers, one on each corner. They were topped with green domes, probably copper that had turned verdigris. But the general appearance was quite regal.
As they disembarked with the others, a quiet hush came over the passengers, as if they were all imagining what it must’ve been like for immigrants in this moment—how they would have felt after a long hard ocean voyage. Anna honestly didn’t know if any of her ancestors had passed through here. She was aware that some of her family’s roots in America were very old, as in pre–Ellis Island old. But it was likely that some of her family members, particularly on her father’s side, which was mostly a blank slate to her, would have come through Ellis Island.
Anna had overheard someone saying that since they were here early in the day, it wouldn’t be as busy as it would get later. Even so, it was fairly crowded. Something about the crowd of people made this feel important. Like they’d all been on this journey together. As they approached the impressive building, Anna tried to imagine her own unknown ancestors. Where had they come from? How had they felt? What were their dreams? She glanced around at others in the group and could tell they were experiencing similar thoughts. An elderly couple both had tears in their eyes. When she looked up at Sean, she could tell this was moving him as well.
For that reason, she decided to give him space right from the start. Giving him a little finger-wave, she pretended to be interested in a plaque of historical information, allowing him to go ahead without her. She read the words on the plaque, trying to absorb the enormity of what it said. Twelve million immigrants had entered America through the golden door of Ellis Island, and today, the descendants of those immigrants accounted for almost half of the American people. Surely that number must include her.
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