Just in time for our food to be served.
“Okay, I’ve never seen a sadder salad in my life,” Cole said, looking at my dish.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” I said and took a bite.
It was bland and dry, but I persevered under Cole’s watchful gaze.
“Yeah, you look like you’re enjoying it as much as a man having to use sandpaper as a loofa. Come on, let’s go someplace else. I won’t let you suffer like this.”
I rolled my eyes.
“It’s not that bad. We can’t leave just because I’m not happy.”
“Yeah, we can,” he said.
“Cole, come on. Eat your food. I’ll be fine. I can eat when I’m home.”
Cole took a small bite of his fry and declared it was still frozen before standing up and dragging me out of there.
He handled the check, and we escaped into the Christmas market that was out in full force on the waterfront, stretching all the way up to Main Street.
“I’m so sorry about that dreadful place. I have no idea how it’s still in business when it’s had such a shit reputation for years,” he said after I’d guided him to one of the places I knew sold halal, and we ordered our four-cheese stuffed pretzels.
I shrugged.
“Tourists, I guess.”
“Poor tourists.” He passed one pretzel to me, and after he got his own, he touched them together, saying, “Cheers!”
I laughed a “cheers” back, and we bit into the gooey, mouthwatering treat. Steam rose from the hot filling. The heat in my mouth and throat was a small reprieve from the December biting cold.
“Oh, look. Isn’t that magical?” He pointed behind me, at the blur of lights in the sea that looked so much like real fairy lights dancing in the dark.
“Is that the cruise ship? I thought the holiday cruises didn’t start until next week,” I said.
We walked toward the water, walking along the edge, watching the ship’s dizzying lights while enjoying our pretzels.
By the time we were done, we’d reached port, which was even more crowded than the streets if that was even possible.
“Come on. This way,” he said, dragging me toward an alley and away from all the commotion.
The street was narrow, and the houses looked crammed next to each other as if supporting one another in odd angles. Windows flashed with led lights while green garlands were so spread out, it left patches of the alley in darkness, yet it wasn’t scary. If anything, it was scenic.
“This is so pretty. Mayberry manages to surprise me more and more each day.”
“You’re not from around here?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“New Jersey.”
“Oh, nice,” he said. “I’ve never been, but I’d love to visit. Go anywhere, really. I’ve never even set foot off the island.”
“For real?”
Cole nodded.
“Wow. Though your island is very pretty so it’s not such a tragedy.”
