We make it with a couple minutes to spare before the ferry leaves, and we find a spot on the backside so we can see the view while riding over.It’s a little chilly outside, but nothing my flannel and her cardigan can’t handle.I pull her close, and put my arm around her as we drink in the view.
“Have you ever been on the ferry over here?”I ask, and she shakes her head.“Well, this will be a treat for you.”
The ride over is beautiful and my eyes are mostly watching her reaction.Seeing the skyscrapers from far away, with the skyline in the background, it’s breathtaking.I’ve seen it a million times because of the commute, but for a first-timer, it’s hard not to just drink it in.
The ferry comes to port, and we exit.She looks around, and isn’t happy when I tell her it’s about a mile walk to my mother’s house.Carleigh acts like she didn’t just run a damn marathon.She laughs, and takes my hand.
We are going to be just fine.I have no doubt about it.Our personalities are so different, and that’s why we are getting along so great.We complement each other in ways we could have never seen.Our pairing is weird from the outside, but just right to us.
She drinks in the neighborhood, the kids running around playing outside, and how clean it is.It’s nothing like Hell’s Kitchen.The people here like to take care of it.Seldomly do you find litter on the roads.
We make it onto her street, and my chest rises and falls.Why am I nervous?They are going to love each other.Carleigh treats me well, and that’s all my mother wants.
When we get to the front door, Carleigh pulls on my hand and stops me before knocking.
“Are you sure she’s gonna like me?”
I kiss her, nod and then knock.
The door opens, and my mother envelopes me into a huge hug, pulling me inside, and my hand is still entwined with Carleigh’s.
“You must be the woman he has been telling me so much about,” she says, bringing her into a hug, too.
Carleigh’s shoulders relax and she smiles.