I attempted to make coffee, but couldn’t find the filters or figure out the pot and I was afraid I might be banging around too much in the kitchen.  I must be careful.  I’d like to be invited back. 

Six years ago, Jess and I spent her 19th birthday together,  just the two of us, in New York City.  It was one of those charmed days in life that I’ll always remember.  I took her to Tiffany’s where I purchased the sterling silver bracelet she still wears today.  We have a photo of her standing on the sidewalk next to the Brass Tiffany’s sign, proudly displaying the little, blue box.  We lunched at The Starlight Diner where the waiters are “trying to make it” singers who periodically launch into a song and dance while delivering burgers.  We attended a matinee performance of Hairspray with the original cast.  We ate dinner at a trendy restaurant a friend had recommended.  Not quite ready to call it a day, we settled on ice cream and one last walk around Time’s Square.  We happened upon the line of the half priced tickets booth and within 5 minutes we had taken our seats at The Palace Theater for the 8:00 showing of  Aida, which was about to begin.  Toni Braxton played the title role and was amazing.  I think we fell into bed about 1:00 the next morning, exhausted, but with a NY birthday memory.

Here we are today, same city, celebrating the same kid’s birthday.  We plan a return trip to the half priced tickets booth where we’ll select a matinee for this afternoon.  There will, however, be no trip to Tiffany’s and definitely no pictures of Jessica standing in front of any logos. She’d die first.  She’s no nineteen-year-old tourist.  She’s a twenty-five-year old New Yorker who is no longer enchanted by Times Square.  We’re going for brunch in her neighborhood, Astoria, then we’ll head to “The City,” as they refer to it, she guiding me swiftly through turn styles and on and off trains.  She won’t even feel the need to confirm with three folks that we’re on the proper train as I did 6 years ago when I was the acting mom.  

We’ve decided to make it tradition.  We’re meeting back here 6 years from now.  She’ll be 31 and I’ll still be 35.  Isn’t that amazing – and she’ll still be my little girl!