Learning How to Fly

The cab drove through the streets of New York and I drank in all the sights as if I had never seen them before. I felt I couldn’t get enough of every single thing that added to the atmosphere of energy and life that emanated from every person, car, building, street and sidewalk we drove by. We pulled up in front of the YMCA on the Upper West Side, I paid the driver, and he unceremoniously dumped all my suitcases on the sidewalk. He sped off and I lugged the suitcases one by one up the stairs, into the lobby and over to the desk. I was told I would have to put them in a store-room for now until they were ready to have me check in, so I did that and went outside and walked around, getting reacquainted with my old neighborhood, had a bite to eat, and went back to the Y.

My room turned out to be the size of my mother’s bathroom with a view of a brick wall. The closet couldn’t hold much of my clothes so I only hung up what I figured I would need right away. I had saved enough money for a few days at the Y and for first and last and deposit on an apartment, so first order of business would be to try to find a place to live, then go to Kelly Services and get a temp job.

The payphone was on the far end of the floor several hallways away where the showers were. The next morning, I headed in that direction and was relieved to see a Yellow Pages phone book was hanging by the phone. I planned on calling real estate agents to find an apartment the next morning. But first I had to call my mother and let her know I was okay and check up on Squeeky. My mother sounded slightly hysterical and I assured her no one had mugged me so far and I didn’t expect that to happen any time  soon. I went back to my room exhausted, a little frightened and excited about finding a new home and sending for my Squeeky. I lay down on the bed and prayed for guidance and blessings on my new adventure.