“You’ve lived there you know.” Alice pointed out succinctly, “And you left.”
 
Poorly masking my impatience with a discernible lilt, having been party to the same series of questions and comments for the past half hour I replied, “I know Alice.”
 
“I’m just saying…” she commented,  “you might just want to prove what some folks claim.”
 
“Hmm…” Finding a gap to push aside a pantsuit in favor of another, the rasping noise from the metal hooks of the hangers filled the few seconds of Alice’s silence.  I lifted it from its place moving toward the bed where the garment bag lay open.  “What’s that?”
 
“That some mistakes are too much fun or in this case, too dumb to only make once.”  More than anything it was clear she was just trying to distract me with silly references.
 
Wrinkling my nose “It’s just for the weekend,” I remarked.
 
“Besides, it’s been a while since I’ve been away.”  My voice trailed off as I occupied myself with folding and placing everything away neatly.
 
I had taken two days off and since our new schedule dictated the gallery closed the coming Monday that essentially allowed four days for my stay in New York sandwiched between one day split for travel. 
 
“Those New Yorkers are vicious you know. Full of cynicism and hostility.” She smirked with ease as only Alice could.  “Whereas here, you just have to deal with sarcasm and backstabbing.” 
 
She continued rapidly, “Before you know it you’ll be draped in black and only black while complaining everyone walks too slow.  In your nine-hundred-dollar Blahniks or Choos, I see you twisting your ankle as you run to grab that cab before the old lady flags it down at the corner of Starbucks and Starbucks.”
 
“And this is supposed to happen over four days?”
 
Rolling my eyes I stated the obvious.  “You exaggerate.”
 
“Nu-uh” She disagreed facetiously.  “If anything I have a gift for understatement!”
 
While we laughed she bounced off the lower half of the bed to get on her feet. Thankfully without disturbing the luggage and other articles that lay close by. 
 
“As scintillating as this has been – watching you pack has been the highlight of my day by the way – I need to get going.”  She was meeting Dana after her training session.
 
I grinned before turning back to the task at hand.  Viewing the selected garments in earnest to assess what may have been forgotten I offered a distracted half-nod in farewell.  “Thanks for coming by.”
 
“Yup.  I’ll see you when you get back.”  Reaching the door she grasped the handle, stopped then angled her upper body towards me while keeping her feet planted where they were.  “Hey.”
 
“Hmm…” Tonight’s most popular response.
 
She spoke quietly making her message more potent.  “You should…I mean if it’s right for you Bette, I hope you do it.” 
 
Looking up, I met her gaze.  While letting a breath out audibly my lips turned upward in appreciation.  Knowing she meant it.  Knowing she loved me as I did her.  Wanting what I wanted even if it would mean our lives would no longer converge as it did currently.
 
“Yeah…” Alice cleared her throat.  “Gotta go.”
 
With a warm smile I replied, “Okay.”
 
Quickly she walked away leaving the door ajar.  Before stepping out of the house, she turned in the direction of the bedroom and quipped, “I know you’ll be back though Bette.  You’ll miss me too much!”
 
Our laughter echoed in the space between us.  “I’m sure you’re right Alice.” 
 
I murmured in the now empty house “I’m sure you’re right”. The quiet enveloped me as I stared vacantly for a moment then brightened with the prospect ahead.
 
—
 
The trip turned out exactly as planned.  We’d toured all their establishments and of course the one of particular interest.  We reviewed the business plan and mapped out expectations.  I’d been introduced to a number of obviously smart and vibrant contributors.  Deliberate and detailed discussions made it clear that this was going to be a full-time effort.  A vitalizing and magical opportunity of a lifetime. 
 
After another productive day, we ate in delightful restaurant that boasted a Spanish cuisine.  Shadowed by a large financial institution’s structure, a brownstone housed the restaurant that transported us to the country of inspiration.  The heavily accented waiters adding to the illusion as the smallish circular table cradled the plates that presented tasty authentic dishes.
 
Knowing sincere contemplation was needed “Sleep on it,” Emma suggested.  And left it at that.
 
A strange turn of phrase really, given we were entrenched in the city that purportedly never sleeps.  The noise being a culprit to that distinction I think.  Construction work was evident and arguably, perpetual.  Admittedly I haven’t yet gotten used to the garbage truck’s distinctive beeping as it claimed what it came to collect by my hotel after midnight. 
Yet there was no disputing it.  The beauty of this ‘concrete jungle’ of hers as she put it.
 
Although our schedule was full, I eventually had time to visit the recently renovated Museum of Modern Art.  Being Sunday, it was teeming with out-of-towners as the city hosted its share of visitors.  Myself included.  Still, the generous layout allowed enough room to enjoy the art that graced the space. 
 
The remainder of the afternoon was mine to spend as I wished having dedicated a good part of the day visiting a potential apartment that would serve as home.  Yet another perk – a family property of my potential employer – not having been let out except for a unit on the other side of the building on the floor below. 
 
Unoccupied for eight months, the place was missing traces of life.  It was perfectly located in an area full of character. Nicely situated a half of the way into the block.  The elegant façade of neighboring dwellings and quiet street would have easily misled anyone from believing that just two blocks away, the blaring horns and busy sidewalks afforded little room to maneuver having to compete with a number of other individuals who lived or worked here.
 
There was a flash of concern upon opening the taps to test for water pressure and hearing the pipes groan from their abandoned state.  It lasted but a moment before the apartment’s appeal took over. There was no disputing that the space was incredibly enticing.  Loft-like, the airy feel allowed respite from crowds and a sense of ease. It received good light being on the fourth floor and unlike many other buildings, was distanced reasonably well from the neighboring structure. 
 
Characteristic of a robust city, everything you would or could want seemed to be within reach.  A prerequisite was of course having a comfortable pair of walking shoes.  Or, if indulging one’s self with a fashionable set, time to spare.  Allowing for carefully taken steps on cobbled streets and walking around many a sidewalk’s grates.
 
Moving toward the windows in the living room, I looked out to view the few pedestrians that freely walked on the road to get across.  I’d done that myself.