The Storm Before the Calm Read Online Free PDF

completely different. I didn’t have to be the pathetic loser with no friends. This could be a chance for reinvention.
    Ginny spoke, interrupting my thoughts. “Diner for breakfast sound okay?”
    “Yes, please.”
    “Then here we are.”
    I looked up and saw we were stopped in front of a restaurant with no name. The red awning over the door declared “Diner,” but that was it. We stepped inside and waited for the hostess to attend to us. The place was packed. I had to wedge myself up next to the pie carousel as a family squeezed past me and out the door.
    After a few moments, we were led to a table near the back of the restaurant. Ginny slid into one side of the booth as I sat down in the other. There were mirrors along all the walls, an item of décor I found mildly disconcerting. I didn’t like to look at myself on most occasions, avoiding mirrors whenever I could. It was a bit of a challenge at the studio, but usually when I was dancing I was focused on the movement and not on how I looked.
    I shifted my attention, choosing instead to peruse the menu. I debated whether to order something full of fat and sugar or to be good and order a breakfast that was conducive to a healthy lifestyle. In the end, the photo of the belgian waffle with the strawberries and whipped cream proved to be too much of a temptation. I closed my menu, ready to order.
    The waiter appeared a few minutes later, jotting down our orders on his little orange notepad. When he was gone, Ginny stared at me for a minute. The longer she looked, the more uncomfortable I became.
    “What?” I asked finally.
    “Nothing. I just can’t believe how much you’ve grown up.”
    I could feel the blush starting.
    “I can’t believe the little boy who used to steal the gum out of my purse is sitting in front of me, a grown man,” Ginny said, her eyes warm.
    The blush was on in full force now. “I’m not that different,” I said, not sure what to do in this situation. I felt oddly flattered and very uncomfortable at the same time. Pinned down by her gaze, I wanted to squirm.
    She shifted in her seat, sitting up straighter. “What do you want to do today? Is there anything you’re dying to see in New York? It’s your first day. We should do something amazing.”
    I was grateful for the change of subject, but I didn’t have any idea. I hadn’t ever considered coming to New York, so I hadn’t had a lot of time for research. “Figuring out where I’m going and how to use the subway system is at the top of my list. I’m guessing I’m on my own tomorrow?”
    Ginny nodded. “I wish I could go with you for your first day, but I won’t be home from work before you’ll have to leave. We’ll get you sorted out today, though. It won’t take long, and you’ll be a pro.”
     
     
    A FTER BREAKFAST we headed out and walked east, turning on Broadway and walking down to Ninety-Sixth Street. The subway station was in the middle of the road, glass archways covering the entrance. I followed Ginny through, stopping at one of the machines to purchase my first MetroCard. I held the yellow and blue card in my hand, and I felt as though that card were my key to the city.
    I was terrified.
    We took the stairs down to the platform, pushing through the crowds of people coming up from the train. I felt a little like a salmon trying to swim upstream, and the number of people pushing past me was overwhelming. I felt small, inconsequential.
    Standing on the platform, we waited patiently for the train to arrive. It turned out we didn’t have to wait long. A 1 train pulled in a moment later, and as the doors opened, people poured out, walking briskly past me. Ginny and I waited until it was all clear before stepping on.
    We found a section of the car that was less busy, and Ginny sat down. “You might as well sit down too. It’s going to take a few minutes for us to get where we’re going.”
    I did as I was told, sitting next to her on the yellow and orange seats.