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different things.
    When we finish it’s just past five. We head up to the apartment and I start getting ready for dinner with Alyssa. All weekend she was telling me about these fabulous places she wants to take me to, I wonder which one she’ll pick.
    Just after six the front door bursts open and Alyssa frantically rushes in, Topher on her heels. She looks at me, waiting on the couch and she frowns apologetically.
    “I have a work thing, I completely forgot. I can’t get out of it. I’m so sorry Syd.” She says breathlessly. She shoves her purse and keys at Topher and then runs to her room to change. A few minutes later she emerges her hair pulled back into a soft knot and wearing a pink silk dress and towering heels. Four minutes and she goes from frazzled to fabulous. Mom taught her well.
    “Bye guys,” Alyssa waves to us and rushes out. Topher chases behind her, not even bothering to wave on his way out.
    “So...” Steve rocks back on his heels, “want to go see a movie?”

Chapter Four
    Over the next four days, Alyssa’s schedule continues on its same tornado-like path, wiping out any and all plans she tries to make with me. Steve takes it upon himself to become my guide, somehow getting out of work for the next few days. He only ends up having to go into the office once, and brings me along with him for a tour.
    We end up weaving our way across the city, eating in funky cafes and pricey restaurants (Steve foots the bill). He takes me to two broadways shows – gritting his teeth and smiling forcibly through Mamma Mia , but kind of enjoying Wicked. I catch him tapping his foot more than once and he claps just as hard as anyone at the end. By the time Friday rolls around any trace of the awkward silence from Monday is gone.
    Saturday, my last full day in the city, Alyssa promises upon the heads of her future children that she will not flake out on me. She even persuades someone vaguely important from work to get us reservations at LIMA – a hotspot restaurant she can’t stop gushing about. But when I wake up Saturday morning there’s a sticky note pressed between my cheek and the pillow. I sit up and smooth the creased paper.
    Syd,
    Emergency at work! No way out of it. So sorry. Back in time for LIMA!
    Love, Alyssa
    I try not to focus on the disappointment settling in the pit of my stomach. We were supposed to go shopping. Despite Steve’s willingness, I’d been less than inclined to drag him out to Macy’s and Saks 5th Avenue with me. He was being so nice, the last thing I wanted was to put him through the hell of shoe shopping. Besides, that’s more of Alyssa’s department. She works at a fashion magazine after all.
    I drift out of the guest room and into the kitchen. I’m the only one here. Steve’s off at work putting in a twelve hour day to make up for his absences this week. I could sit around the apartment by myself for the day, watch some TV on the 46 inch LED, or teach myself how to use Steve’s brand new Mac in the office. But, I can’t bring myself to waste my last day here stuck inside. Despite my mother’s rampant warnings that I’m not to go off on my own in the city, I shower, dress, and shove all the cash I have left into my wallet. Rules be damned, I’m going shopping.
    We have a Macy’s back home, well not in West Plane, but in Albuquerque. Still the dull department store there and the bright, glitzy one here are two very different places. I become hypnotized by the sights and smells: silk dresses and $1000 dollar bottles of perfume. I can’t afford to shop here, not even on clearance, but who cares.
    I continue to make my way around Herald Square, taking in the Manhattan Mall and spending the remainder of my money on a funky emerald green dress from JC Penny that brings out my eyes. On my way through the shoe department I forfeit the wad of emergency cash Mom gave me before I left for a pair of black wedges.
    I get home around five and stare at my purchases with excitement.