Chapter 1: My Home, New York

~Alyona~

I’ve heard that people come to New York for two reasons: to follow their hearts or their dreams.

The first time I ever traveled to New York was when I was in my mother’s womb like a peanut.

My parent’s short love story brought two kids into this world, including me.

Their particular love didn’t last long. Predictably, for the former reason - because of another woman.

But the allure of the city that never sleeps has never left my mom. After all, New York City is one of the most (maybe the most) iconic city in the world for a reason; the art and the history; the music and the architecture; the diversity; the noise; the never-ending lines of yellow checkered cabs punctuation every block.

Growing up in New York, I believed life in the city was for masochists. In the summer, we complain about the heat. In the winter, the cold.

At present, it’s a harsh winter. Keeping calm is vital when we are blasted with terrifying storms like the present arctic-polar-vortex-bomb-cyclone.

While walking toward home, I thought about grabbing a cup of hot coffee.

The coffee shop air swirls with aromatic dreams; little wonder it is a place where people decide their future.

The coffee shop of white cups and black coffee, of small jugs filled with cream, has that ambiance of friendly chatter.

Standing in the queue, I love seeing people’s expressions and how they change in a single moment.

“Hi. How are you doing?” A beautiful girl purred from another side.

“Hello. I want a small latte, please,” I answered.

“Anything else?” She marked a small white cup.

“Nothing, thank you.” I smiled.

“Your name? Please,” still holding the black sharpie marker to write my name.

“Alyona Marshall, write Alyona,” my mom gave the name.

After a few moments, she passed my coffee cup. The coffee cup was small enough to fit in the palm of a child, holding that potent magic brew only the hardiest of the grown-ups could savor.

I took the first sip; rolled my eyes till heaven.

The steam coming from the little hole of the cup gave me a sense of warmth on my nose tip.

Snuffling the aromatic coffee, I started walking towards my home.

I live in the city’s heart, where I can hear the pumping and thump in my house, the nightlife.

The nightlife of New York emerges. Without the crowds and the commerce, the city comes alive after dusk. It blushes on its avenues, whispers on its bridges, grumbles in its bars, and roars in its clubs. My home is an old building, a townhome.

The houses stood together in all seasons, feeling the rain and sunshine just the same. In any weather, they sheltered our families, stood firm against the winter wind, yet let in brilliant light even as it blew.

I took out my jiggling keys and wanted to open the door.

I can hear a worship song melody coming from my house.

Holding the cup in my other hand, I opened the door.

The sound of the melodious song changed the atmosphere in my heart as it hit my ear more profoundly.

As I entered the living room, I saw my mom dancing in God’s love.

It’s normal for me to see her madly in love with her God.

I stood there and smiled at how she created her new dance moves to show her happiness.

I kept my jiggling keys in the bowl next to me.

I took out my feathery coat and kept it on the chair, but my mother opened her eyes and signaled me to keep the fur on the hanger.

It made me smile; Is it only my mother who keeps me in check while worshipping?

She came toward me while dancing.

“For the fullness of his grace, we received one more blessing.” She twirled my body.

“What blessing? Mom,” I loved it when she danced like this.

She lowered the volume of the speaker.

“I got a promotion,” her eyes sparkled up.

“Wow, congratulation.” I hugged her.

“Yup, he always amazed me with his unexpected blessings. He knows I needed it, and he gave it to me.” Her eyes filled with tears while praising her God.

“Ok, tell me,”

“I got promoted as a head nurse with a salary increment,” she revealed her words with another twirl.

“That’s superb news, mom,” I purred excitedly.

“Did you inform Cassandra?” I added.

She shook her head left and right.

“Then let’s call her and give her this good news.” I grabbed my phone and called her.

Cassandra is my elder sister. She fell in love with a true-hearted man named Lucas.

They got the job in California and shifted last year.

Sometimes I miss her, but I am happier with the thought of getting full access to my bedroom without sharing it with my bossy sister.

I loved the window side bed after she got married.

“Hello, Cassie. How are you?” I screamed as I kept my phone on the Dining table.

“I am good. Did you give water to my Sammy?” I rolled my eyes. Even after one year, she didn’t forget her potted plant.

Fond with the plants, she called her potted one, Sammy.

I rolled my eyes and answered.

“Yeah,” I passed my phone to my mom.

“Hey baby, how are you?” My mom appreciates her elder daughter more than I do.

She said Cassie is more responsible than I am. I am the lazy one in our home.

I have never seen my dad, but my mom and my sister have pampered me since I was born. That makes my elder sister like my other mother.

“I am good, mom. You look happy. Tell me the good news.” Cassie knew my mom’s heart very well. Without letting her spill a single word, she knew there was good news my mom wanted to share with her.

“Did she get a job?” She added.

“No, she didn’t.” My mom defended me from my other mother,

“Mom got a promotion as the head nurse of the hospital,” I interrupted in between, trying to avoid her non-stoppable questions about me.

“Congratulations, mom, Hallelujah,” another praise.

“Aly, what is going on with your job search?” How did I forget? She never left me without asking her question.

“I am searching,”

My mom understood my irritated gaze; she interrupted.

“She just finished college. Don’t worry, she will get it.” My mom answered her fireball questions.

“Hey, mom, congratulations,” Lucas purred,

The rude Cassie’s husband.

He is like a big brother to me.

I love him very much as he always protects me from his rude wife, my sister.

“Hey, Lucas,” I popped up again on my phone.

“Hey, sissy. Did you got any boyfriend or not?” He asked.

“Nope, not lucky as Cassie,” I smirked at her.

“Don’t worry. I pray you will get a handsome hunk who will love you.” He winked at me.

“Amen,” I excitedly answered him.

“Think of a job first,” a harsh voice came in between cheerful conversation.

Cassie never missed a chance to dictate her decision to me.

“I will,” I answered in a low voice.

“Ok, mom. I will talk later.

Bye, Aly,” her voice irritates me.

But I know if she sees a single tear in my eyes, she will burn the world for me.

This is my small happy family, where the love of God binds us; his presence and our faith in him made all the mountains move from our lives.

I love my mom and my rude sis,

We enjoyed our supper as we watched prime time news.

Other than that in my life, I have two friends in my life.

Olivia and Ivy.

I hope we will meet tomorrow.