Friday last week was the big day and to celebrate I tried to, and managed, to cram a lot in. Gotta make the most of the longest day of the year, well in the northern hemisphere anyway.
The last couple of years has seen me waking up with the sun and Friday was no exception. I lay in bed without moving, thinking of what has been and what’s to come, that kinda cross roads again. I didn’t dwell on it so got into the day. Showered and a with a coffee to go I was heading out the door. It was 7.45. Plenty of time for a casual walk up broadway in the morning sun to 28th for breakfast with an uncle. Not really an uncle by blood, more friend of the family, he and my dad were partners in a couple of ventures, but I’ve known him forever and he’s looked out for me a little over the last few years.
Our meeting spot was NoMad, a nice place. He was already there when I arrived, immaculately dressed in a dark blue suit, reading the paper. I’d love to know what drives some older people to always wear suits when they’re well into their older years. I think I’d live in a dressing gown if I was as old as him, and I do think it’s a good thing that he’s not succumbed to wearing a shell suit, like so many other octogenarians. I actually have no idea his age, but he’s been old for as long as I can remember so I guess he must be in his eighties.
His face lit up as I came to the table, his big smile so infectious, and he rose and gave me a big hug, wishing me happy birthday in the process. I’ve not seen him in a little over a year but we’ve conversed over WhatsApp on and off in that time. He remarked how much I was looking more like my mother and that I’d lost weight but looked good for it. I don’t think I have, but I don’t take much notice of that kinda thing. He ordered for both of us without looking at the menu and he set about grilling me on what I’d been up to and how was a settling back into life.
He’s an easy guy to talk to and in no way judgemental, so it wasn’t difficult to retell the recent history. ‘You certainly keep it interesting’ was his critical comment when I finished. ‘I can tell you still love her. Are you prepared to take on her baggage?’ He was right. I tell myself I’m over her but my tales tell otherwise. I told him I didn’t know. He said that meant no. ‘You’ll work that out in time, but don’t beat yourself up about it, if you come to the same conclusion as me. Falling in love with someone already saddled with a kid is tricky and hard work which can be unfruitful. Look at what your mother went through.’ Were his last words in the topic. I asked him why he’d never had kids and he mulled it over while finishing his juice. ‘Too selfish... but that’s not a bad thing. You may see that one day.’ There was more to the convo on our plans for the summer and stuff. He invited me to go up and visit him at his summer place, if I had time, which I don’t know yet, but he said that the offer was there. He paid and we walked out together, his driver pulling up as we came out of the building. I declined his offer of a lift so we hugged and went about out days.
My day continued with calls to various people finalising plans for Jason’s party, which I did walking back downtown, and then shopping for an outfit for said party, plus it’s my birthday so a treat for myself. I didn’t go crazy, a pair of jeans (Edwin), a tee (Supreme) and some sneakers (Reebok Fury reissues). In my way back home to dump all my purchases I had a funny encounter. I was walking past the Bowery and this cute girl was coming out and walking towards me and as she passed I turned to check her out, and got busted as she did the same. She paused and gestured to me so I walked back to her to see where it would go. She asked if we knew each other, but I said I didn’t think so. She asked if worked in music, to which I also said no, but I know a lot of people in the industry. I fessed up to having just been checking her out, no sense in lying, and she blushed a little and said she’d done the same. I seized on that and asked what she was doing later. She was busy all day and had a work thing that evening, talent spotting at a gig, but would be free afterwards. I said maybe but I had birthday drinks planned, which was welcome to join. She countered with a maybe, then went into her handbag and fished out a business card. ‘Call me later’ she said, turned and walked off. I watched her go, she was cute, I knew I would call.
I dumped my purchases and went to meet Nic for lunch. Nothing extravagant and the time was taken up by general chit chat and checking we were on point with party plans, which we are. The rest of my afternoon I caught up with Sevvy, who manages a gallery I like, over a bottle of fizz. I’ve bought a few pieces from him, which haven’t been too expensive and he gives me discount on occasion. One day he’ll take me for something big. He’s a charmer that guy.
With a line to see me off I stepped out into the early evening crowds and headed to east village for my birthday drinks. Those that work close were already there, others arrived later. I took a moment between drinks to give Sara, the cute girl I bumped into, a call. I had a feeling she wouldn’t pick up because if the unknown number and thankfully she didn’t, so I left a message telling her where I was. If she came it would be cool, if not, no probs. People left, people came, and people left again. No one seemed up for a biggie so I was gonna call it a night, feeling a little dejected. I bought another round of drinks for those remaining then realised I had a message from the girl. She couldn’t make it but had put me on her guest list at the Cutting Room if I wanted to go to her. So I did and it was unexpected fun.
The acts weren’t all that but my host certainly was. She was very quirky with her hair in bunches all over her head, and she could certainly drink and was out pacing me 3-2. It got to the point where I’d had enough, so passed up on her last offer of a round. I really fancied food to soak up the liquid, and offered places nearby we could go. She said ‘Nah’ to everything but suggested food at her hotel which was healthy. We left, but as soon as we hit the street I realised how hammered I was, and knew with pretty fine accuracy that anything that may be on the cards would not be as rewarding as if I were more sober. So over a casual stroll in the early morning I eluded to plans for the next day and needing sleep. When we got to her hotel she was blunt and asked me to her room, so I returned the favour and told her I really wanted to, but drunk guys don’t make good rides. She laughed and said I obviously have prior experience. I do. She gave me a big birthday kiss to say goodbye, which almost had me change my decision, but I didn’t, so I walked home. She is in town until Monday and gets to town every few weeks so I told her I’d try see her before she left or definitely when she was in town next.
I got home sonf the clock of doom was telling me 4.30. Had it really taken that long to walk home.I was sobered up enough to make food, but only toast, anything else was far too complex. I grabbed an ice cold glass of water and headed to my room and found Nic on my bed asleep in all her clothes, I guessed she’d ended her night in a worse state than me. My ears were ringing and I could see my brunch plans falling to pieces as the time calculations weren’t going in my favour. I grabbed some Ibo from the bathroom, took 2 and put the pack by on Nic’s side of the bed with my glass of water. She’d probably need it. I went to sleep comforted having someone next to me, hearing the steady breathing, wondering what dreams were downloading in a bid to decipher the experiences of the day. I thought of my own, and then mentally kicked myself for not going to the hotel room. I sent her a thank you message and wishing her good night, along with a promise to make it. Too soon, maybe but it was fresh in my head so why not. If nothing comes of it at least I’d not been a rude dick.
It was lovely to wake, listening to the sounds of a prayer being offered of the great white god. I was right Nic was bad, me too, but I knew I’d get through mine with a bit more sleep and lots of liquids when I got up. I got woken again later, this time by a nice cuddle, a thank you for medicine, an apology for not meeting me and a nice peace offering of coffee, pastries and water. Nic had got caught up on the rollercoaster of work drinks, I’m sure most, if not everyone has been in that situation, so I said no worries. It was fine, it was just a Friday night after all. I let her tell me about the events while I savoured the coffee. I know so few of the plethora of people she hangs out with a lot of what she tells me is meaningless. A day will come when I meet one of those in her stories and some of what she’s told me will sink into place. She asked me about my day and night, made me show her the gear I’d bought, chastised me for turning a girl down, again, for a girl who was clearly needing some lovin’ and then said we shout make some lunch. I agreed we needed food and probably juice so we agreed to meet in the kitchen and went for showers. It felt better after that. She beat me to the fridge and already had out what we were gonna have, fresh fruit with yoghurt topped with cage mix. No juice but hey ho I was hungry.
It was so past 2 so my plans for brunch had been missed by some distance, so I thought to drop a msg to apologise. Phone was dead so plugged it in, then message after message pinged in… When I heard the first ping I thought of Sara, but when I picked the phone up I saw that all 9 were from Jason it all went out the window. What was his beef. All the messages were just missed call alerts with the exception of his last one which gave nothing away and simply said ‘call me’. Why don’t people just send a message telling what the problem is, the intrigue is a killer. I called, he didn’t answer, I messaged ‘Called u, call me’ and ate lunch. He called back having an eppy. The caterers had delivered loads of stuff to his house and were refusing to believe the party was the following week. This was a nightmare because I’d obviously fucked up somewhere. I tried to call them but there was no answer, WTF! Mailed the guy to tell him what was happening then went back through all my mails with him to see where it had gone wrong, but I found nothing. I called again and still no answer so I resigned myself to going to Brooklyn and called Jace to tell him I was on my way. Fuck. I could done without it.
I told Nic and went to sort my shit out. I heard her leave as I was running through how this could’ve messed up. All would be clear soon enough. It took me while to get to Jason’s, but I made it in tact. All paperwork was correct and the dudes weren’t going anywhere before the balance of the bill was settled in cash. It was difficult to argue with them but I did and kept trying to call their office, but no one was picking up, it was insane! Jace suggested just paying them as he had the money and working it out in the week, which I came round to so went in to the house... to find a house full of people and a surprise party for me. Fuckers! The relief of no problem to sort was an amazing feeling, even better once I’d had a drink.
A sedate afternoon gradually turned into a messy night as the tunes got progressively harder and the goodies came out to play. I like going to parties where I know lots of people because there’s always a back up if those you don’t know are boring. And when the party’s yours you know most, so it’s all about networking and making sure you get to talk to everyone that made the effort. For me this is a mini adrenaline rush, and I never really feel the full effects of alcohol or anything else I’m on, until the end. By 5am-ish there was only really a handful of people left. The guy who was dj-ing offered a ride home, as he was gonna be passing near mine, but I declined and said I’d walk. I needed the drugs our if my system and that would help. Nic looked pissed at me for it, but didn’t complain. I thanked Jason, we all hugged, said our goodbyes, then Nic and I walked out into the start of a warm sunny day.
The realisation of the walking mistake hit me before we’d walked 20mins, but I was too stubborn to say, and by the time we were on the bridge I was over it. We stopped on the bridge and took in the view, always quite spectacular, and whilst I wanted to say something, the words never came. I grabbed Nics hand and made to go, but she didn’t budge and just gestured back at the view with a nod of the head. ‘OK’ I said and stood next to her again. She cuddled into me, saying nothing, as we stared again at the river. I knew Nic was at the end of her energy, she stops talking, which is the give away. I wondered if she’d just collapse on me and whether I’d be able to get her home. This has happened before. ‘We need a smoke and bed’ I said. She squeezed my hand and made us walk. We made it the rest of the way without a taxi, me slowly speaking less and less, her not at all. That great sense of relief washed over me as we walked in the door, slightly embarrassed as we passed one of neighbours in the stairwell, but I didn’t care.
I made some tea and a banger and we sat and had both on the fire escape outside Nic’s window. When both were finished it was bedtime, so we climbed back into her room. I went to leave but she asked me to stay with her. It was nice, I wanted the company too so I said OK. I made a teeth brush handle signal and went to mine. When I came back she was asleep in bed. I climbed in beside her and drifted off giving her a cuddle.
