New York city ( Part one)

New York city lights

I left Iraq in the Winter of 1992. I was sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey.  I took a leave after I arrived in the USA and I drove my truck to the base from Virginia.  I was given jobs in supply. I was a numbers man and they used my time wisely the Army. I re-enlisted for the war  to escape the suicide of two brothers. I believed I was seeking a good death. War taught me. Life was okay. You can’t fix every problem or situation. Just listen and be kind. I had a lot of time to travel. I was waiting for orders and the military wasn’t  very quick.  My boss was a twenty-five year Veteran. The Sergeant First class  released me early every Friday. I would drive down highway 95 to the city of New York. I never aimed at the city. Somehow I landed in the arms of New York weekly for two months.

Somehow I seem to land in the on the same streets and end-up in the same taverns. I remember the long streets. They felt ghostly and friendly to me.  I found my destination. Chumley tavern. It was on Bedford street. The watering hole for the great Hemingway. This was point one for me. I decided on 10 places to visit. I stood outside the tavern and I looked at  the lights of New York. The city had the ancient feel and had been lived in.

I liked the Chumley tavern. My G.I Joe haircut and northern accent allowed me to be set out in the mist of the New Yorker’s drinking, talking and enjoying their night drinking their gin and tonic. I wasn’t looking for conversation or friendship. I was in the city where Cohen and Joplin had great talks. I was sitting in the bar where Hemingway drank and lived his way. I felt like I belonged.

I ordered a cold draft and shot of Jack. I watched the New Yorker’s talk, laugh and drink. I caught the attention of a pretty woman in a business suit. She was late twenties, wore glasses and her hair ties tightly, hiding long auburn hair. She was surveying my face and haircut. She came and sat near me. She touched my shoulder and she asked. Did you just return from the war? I smiled and I told her yes. She was silence for a few seconds and she asked me. Are you okay? I told her. I’m okay and thank you for asking. She touched my high and tight haircut gently and she told me. My brother came back and he isn’t alright. He is locked-up now. I told her I was sorry. War can be hard on men. Hard to forget. She asked me. Is your head cold? These are the cold days of Winter in New York. I told her. I’m Michigan born and I’m use to the coldness of the Winter.

She smiled and laughed. I liked her smile and laughter. I knew she didn’t laugh too much. Her eyes held a sadness. She asked me. What are you doing in New York? Her brown eyes looking deep into my eyes. I told her I left Fort Dix and was searching for the watering hole of Hemingway. The lights of New York and the place where Joplin and Cohen had their last talk. I needed the ancient city. The city make me feel okay. She held her smile for a few seconds than laughs. You missed 10 good cities to come here. All the damn places to go. You picked New York in the coldness of winter. She looked serious for a minute and she asked me. Where are you going to park your car? This is New York. No parking in the daytime soldier. I told her. I don’t know. I just wanted a large city tonight. No larger than New York. She laughed at my answers and her business suit seem less dangerous. Now her eyes were more gentle and less fearful.

She told me. You are lucky. I have an empty spot to park your car and what is your name. I told her my name is Johnnie, wandering soldier and what is your name? She smiled and offered her hand and she told me. my name is Dorothy. A Boston girl working in the city. I liked her face. A Irish shaped face with a firm body. She asked me. Do you have a place to stay? New York city is very costly. I told her. I was going to escape the city after the bar closed. Find a cheap hotel outside the city. She sat quietly for a few moments and she asked me. Are you dangerous? I smiled and I told her. Only to whiskey bottles and cans of beer. She told me. I live near by. 201st St.
You can have my couch. I don’t work till Monday. I will give you a grand tour of the city. I told her. You don’t have to. You have been very kind already. Talking with me. I do appreciate. I don’t want to be an added burden to you. She told me. I like your face. You have a good face. Please tell me a story. Why a good man would volunteer for war? And how you landed here in this tavern with me? I told her. Two brothers committed suicide and I volunteered for war. War was very kind. Taught me life is better than death. Now I need a story my kind friend. She smiled and she told me. I went to college and got my degree. Now I’m an accountant for a big bank and I work 70 hours a week and I’m always tired. I reached my hand to her and I told her. Glad to meet you Dorothy.

She took my hand and she held it firmly. I looked into her brown eyes and I asked her. Do you like to dance? She smiled and told me. I haven’t danced since college. I would enjoy some dancing. I told her. Drinking need dancing and dancing need drinking. We left the Chumley tavern at closing time. The city was still alive and lite-up.  A lot of people were aiming at their nightly goals. We found my truck and she directed me to the parking structure. She found my writing journals and she read them as I parked the truck.She asked me with questioning eyes. Are you a writer? You didn’t tell me you like to write. I do also. I told her. They are just journals now. One day I will post and create the great novel. She looked sad and she questioned me. I shouldn’t have looked at the journals? I’m sorry. I told her. It is okay. My life isn’t so exciting. I used the journals to release pain, anger and joy.

Her apartment was nice. The apartment had the feel of a woman with good taste and class. Her bedroom door was open. I saw large pillows and satin sheets. She had a small couch and a small kitchen. The house was decorated simple. She had no extra items. A Television and small stereo sat on a small table. She had new art and waterfall on her walls. I liked her already. She had a small book shelf. She had my favorites. Kosinski, Jack London, Stephen King and Robert Schuller. I told her. I like your apartment. She smiled and she told me. I like the simple things. I could be a little tunnel visions with my needs. I like things in their proper place.

I found her cassettes. I requested a Cat Steven tape.  She put the cassette in. The good drink made me braver. I reached to her and I requested a dance? She smiled and she told me. Never danced with a Northern boy. Are your Northern boys safe? I brought her into my arms and we slow danced to the calm voice of Cat Steven. I felt her relaxing and feeling safer. I released her and I told her. Dear Dorothy, I’m tire and I would be thankful for blanket and pillow. I ‘m very thankful for her kindness. She held silence and whispered. Thank you Johnnie. We will drink coffee at 9 am and I will take to the Chelsea Hotel tomorrow. She came to me and kissed both my face-cheeks and she went looking for the blankets. She left me wishing for more.

I went to the couch and I was asleep very quickly. She came back and she put the blanket over my tire body. She kissed my forehead and she went to bed.

Coyote/John Castellenas