Sometimes, I write :)

Full disclosure, I was born in Manhattan but have never actually lived in the city, so please forgive me if some of the details aren’t completely accurate. This is all written from memory and my personal point of view.

This is a short story that I submitted for a freelance writing gig. Had to be written in the third person and descriptive of a location that I love. Enjoy!

Title: California Dreamin’ in a New York State of mind.

She arrives at JFK airport and takes the AirTrain to Penn Station. She walks up the long staircase and exits at W 34th and 8th. Right across the street from Madison Square Garden. She takes a deep breath and then coughs, she’s home. As she walks shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the pedestrians, she takes it all in. The burnt smell of pretzels and hotdogs being served from vendors every 25 feet. The screeching sound of cars whipping around and the near constant blaring of horns honking. Should she deviate from her usual path, the one that leads her to all of her favorite New York City stores? Bergdorfs, Barneys and Saks, or should she go where no self respecting New Yorker goes, Times Square? She contemplates this for a moment and opts for Times Square. She has not been in years and there is just something magical about it, even if you ARE a New Yorker (although you’re not supposed to admit it). She makes her way stopping only once to grab a slice of pizza and to purchase a pashmina and a pair of sunglasses from a young man on the corner just outside the pizza joint. Two items for $10, she couldn’t pass that up. She walks around tourist filled Times Square, taking in the bright lights, massive bulletins and TV’s. Artists, actors and performers lining the streets entertaining the crowds for tips. She feels a bit of nostalgia. Remembering how as a child, all of this seemed so unreal, so imaginary, so….. EPIC. After stopping in the SWATCH store and the M&M’s store, she decides to head over to Central Park. But not before stopping at New York’s famous Magnolia Bakery for a cupcake. She will need something sweet to eat when she gets to the park. She takes out her METRO card and gets on the subway. She looks for a place to sit. There is 1/2 of an available seat. She decides to take it. She sits down in between a homeless man and a little boy who is holding hands with his mother. Several minutes later, she arrives at her stop. She walks up the stairs. The smell of the subway station is less than appealing. She can’t wait to get out into the fresh air. She crosses the street into the park. It’s as stunning and picturesque as she had always known it to be. Lush and green as far as the eye can see. 2 police officers come toward her on their horses. One stops to allow her to say hello to the regal steed standing before her. She continues her walk through the park and finds a bench. She sits down and eats her cupcake in silence. Far enough away from the busy, taxi filled streets to enjoy the peace and serenity of the park.

All of a sudden a loud beeping noise startles her. She reaches for her iPhone and turns off her alarm. She stretches and gets out of bed. She opens her blinds to expose the view of Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles, California and she smiles and thinks to herself, I should be California dreamin but clearly, I’m in a New York State of mind.