A Picture’s Worth, Pt. 4 (Birthday Surprise)

PRELUDE: Sometimes you need to step back from a situation to see it more clearly. At the top of the year I posted a story called “A Picture’s Worth.” It was a three-part epic revolving around one long-ass day that resulted in “April,” the woman that the story was based on, to take offense (See comments in Part 2). In the wake of the real-life drama that unfolded—and at the behest of some of my close friends/advisors—I opted to leave her and the story as a distant memory and keep it moving. But yesterday a new reader discovered the story and left a comment that made me realize how people could get a skewed perspective of the character of “April” and the interaction between her and I based on the one incident I recounted. So in the name of impartiality, I figured I’d reveal a lost chapter of sorts from the story that shows another side of “April.” Hopefully this one will go over better.

Despite all the drama that ensued from me choosing to wait outside of her apartment with her Christmas present and my decision to disregard her staying over rule—which resulted in my self-imposed long trek home—April and I had more good times than bad. In fact, a few days after the picture incident, she treated me to a night out on the town for my birthday. (EDIT NOTE: Looking back on it now, I must’ve mixed up the timing in Part 1 regarding April's trip to Atlanta because she was definitely in town for my birthday, which is the day after Christmas).

Although we existed in a non-defined and non-physical courtship, April and I hung out for a little over six months on a pretty consistent basis. While my annual birthday bashes are usually held days before or after my actual born day, December 26th is usually a low-key day and that year I spent it with April. She agreed to share the day with me and decided on this Latin restaurant in Midtown that she loved. This was April's favorite eatery in the city and she rarely took any guys there because she didn't ever want to run into an ex on a date there.

"I must really like you if I'm taking you," she said as we made plans for the day. "But if I take you, you can never bring another woman there."

"Nah, of course not," I replied. "I can't wait to go. What time do you want to meet."

"How about around 6 o'clock. We can meet at 57th Street and walk from there."

"Okay, no problem. Do you want to meet on the platform or outside somewhere?"

"Hmm, there's a Starbucks on the corner of 57th and 6th. Meet me there."

"Cool. I'll see you in a bit."

I arrived at the Starbucks a little after 6 o’clock and April showed up a few minutes later. She greeted me with a hug and I kissed her on her cold cheek.

"Sorry, I'm late," she said. "I missed my first train."

"Oh, no problem. I just got here. You ready to go?"

She looked up at me and smiled. "Yup, let's go."

Following April's lead, we walked a few blocks down to the restaurant. But to her chagrin, it was actually closed due to the Christmas holiday.

"Oh, no," she huffed. "Something told me I should have called to check but Christmas was yesterday I figured they'd be open."

"Don't worry about it. Things happen. Anywhere else you want to try?"

April paused for a minute and ran through her mental Rolodex before she arrived at her next thought. "Hey, do you like French food?"

"Uhm, never really had it before but I'm not picky."

"Okay, there's a little French spot I know downtown that's really good and should be open today. If not, there are a bunch of little restaurants in that area."

"Okay, I'm cool with that."

April grabbed my hand and led me to the train station. "Let's go, birthday boy."

We were in luck; the restaurant was open and since the spot was relatively empty, we got seated right away. After perusing the menu, we placed our orders and took in the scenery. It was a quaint space with a lot of natural colors and artwork adorning the walls.

"How did you find this place," I asked. “It’s nice.”

"I was in the area shopping with my girl one day and we just stopped in on a whim. It looked cute and the food turned out to be pretty good."

"Yeah, people usually find the best places that way."

"Oh, I almost forgot. Do you want your gift now or later?"

"I get a gift?"

"It's your birthday, right?"

"Yeah, but I don't usually get anything because everyone’s caught up with Christmas."

"Well, I got you something. So do want it now or later."

"Hmmm, now please."

April took her handbag from off the back of her chair and pulled out a shiny gift bag with “Happy Birthday” plastered across the sides. She placed it in front of me and I anxiously reached inside. To my surprise, it was a book on wine tasting. A while back I had made a comment about wanting to step my wine connoisseurship up, so this was actually a really thoughtful gift.

"Oh, wow, thanks," I beamed. "I really appreciate this."

"No problem. Now you can drink a wider array of wine besides Chardonnay."

(Laughs) "I know right."

A short while later, out waiter came with our food. As April and I were eating, I heard the sound of hand clapping and people singing happy birthday. At first I thought the servers were approaching our table but they actually stopped at the table next to us, where a European family was celebrating their daughter's birthday.

"For a second, I thought you set me up," I said. "I always found that having the staff sing for someone in a restaurant was embarrassing."

"Why?"

"It's just too much attention. You know I'm low key and I don't like all eyes on me."

"Uh huh."

"What?"

"Oh, nothing," she said with a devilish grin.

Two minutes later, the singing waiters returned. Armed with chocolate flan and ice cream, they stopped at our table and serenaded me.

"Oh, I'm gonna get you for that one," I smiled.

"Whatever. It wasn't that bad."

"Yeah, okay, just wait ’til your birthday."

"Well, that's months away and today is your birthday, so what do you want to do now?"

"I’m leaving you in charge of tonight. I'm just following you."

"Okay," she said. "I have an idea.”

“What’s that?”

“Don't worry about it. Are you ready to go?"

"Yup."

"Check please."

Once April paid the bill, we headed back to the train station and got off near Battery Park. Although it was the end of December, it was a relatively warm night so April and I walked alongside the waterfront talking and taking in the view. We strolled the area for a bit and eventually perched ourselves alongside a stretch of railing that provided a clear view of the Statue of Liberty. Overall it was a pretty romantic setting and I’ll give April major props for thinking of it. That probably goes down as one of my best actual birthdays up to that point.

Once the wind started to pick up, April and I decided it was time to head out. Besides, it was getting late and I had work in the morning. So we walked back to the train station and I waited with April for hers to come. When it came, I kissed her on the cheek and told her to text me when she got home before I made my way back to Queens.

I got off the train an hour later and saw April's text, which read; "I'm home."

"Thanx 4 a great night and bday," I wrote back. "Talk 2U 2morrow. G'nite."

"Nite."

Fin.

EPILOGUE: So, I don’t have a list of questions for this one, I just felt the urge to share another side to a story that got misconstrued. Hopefully, I accomplished my goal of changing a few people’s perspectives about the previous series and didn’t ruffle any more feathers. Either way, speak your piece…