OWEN
I leanagainst the smooth granite counter, eating cold Thai noodles out of the takeout container from last night, staring at the email on my phone and mulling my situation.
Zoe’s list from yesterday,whileI’m sure well-intentioned, wasexhausting. And bizarre. And I really don’t want to do more of the same today. But last night at dinner, she all but interrogated me (in a well-meaning way, of course) about my day. And since I hadn’t finished the list, she not-so-subtly suggested I keep going with it today.
So, I could do that… Or Icouldtake George Knight up on his offer to help…
I deliberate for the amount of time it takes me to finish my breakfast. I don’t feel completely comfortable emailing Knight about this. But I also really, really don’t want to keep following Zoe’s random and inscrutable itinerary.
From: Owen Wilde
To: George Knight
Date: December 21, 9:33 AM
Subject: Big List
Okay—just remember you offered, and please tell me if I’m taking up too much of your time.
So, Zoe made me this huge list of things to do in NYC. I’m pretty sure she thinks she’s helping me not succumb to my hermit-like ways. I know she’s worried about me and she’s trying to help, which I appreciate. And maybe she has a point about me getting out and doing things.
Anyway, I did a bunch of the stuff she suggested yesterday, but none of it was really my thing. So… as a New Yorker, do you have any suggestions for things to do?
I know you don’t really know me (like at all), but honestly, it couldn’t be worse than what Zoe gave me, and she’s known me all my life.
I readwhat I’ve written over—twice—nervous about clicking send. Is it too much? Was “let me know if you need any help” just a polite sign-off? But no, I decide. Knight—George—has been personable, friendly even. And hedoesknow Zoe, so I’m fairly confident the man knows exactly the kind of well-meaning tenacity I’m dealing with. And hedoesknow the city. This isn’t an unreasonable thing to ask of someone I’ve swapped homes with. Plus, he can just say no if he wants to.
So, I make myself push send.
And immediately feel ill. I set the phone down and head into the shower so I won’t have to sit there wondering if I’m going to get a response.
Of course, George Knight has more important things to do than to send me sightseeing suggestions. I wince as I stand in front of the man’s spa-level fancy shower jets. I never should’ve sent that email. I don’t know the guy just because I’m staying at his place. Just because Zoe is friends with him.
Sure, George—Knight—loves Zoe. Because Zoe is effervescent. She’s magnetic. Who wouldn’t love Zoe?Iam nothing like Zoe.
Which is whyI probablyshould’ve just followed her damn list anddefinitelyshouldn’t have emailed George Knight about it.
I drop my head down and groan. It echoes around the extra expensive-looking tile that surrounds the walk-in shower.
But by the time I shave and pad out of the bathroom wrapped in one of the thick, plush towels, there’s an email waiting for me.
From: George Knight
To: Owen Wilde
Date: December 21, 10:04 AM
Subject: What to Do in New York When You’re Not Doing Other Things in New York
Sorry it took me a while to put this together. Please feel free to ignore any of these suggestions – I’m just making an uneducated guess based on… I don’t know. I guess my gut feeling of what you might enjoy. But my guts can be wrong. Way wrong.
Anyway, I have based my suggestions on the assumption that you won’t mind walking around in the cold. Partly because in New York, you’re always fairly close to somewhere you can step in and warm up if you want to. And partly because I assume you are not a dumbass like me and actually packed for the season.
Take it for what it’s worth and skip any of it you like, though I do recommend you actively try to get lost at the last stop. It’s my favorite thing to do in New York. (But make sure you stop by Gallery 745. There’s something there I have a feeling you’ll like…)
- G
There’s a link attached,which opens in my map app and plots out a little route around Manhattan, complete with spots to stop and walking times in between.
