Kari was excited to meet Jay when she arrived in Times Square in her new black dress, stockings and sweater. Kari’s nails were polished with fresh black polish and her black lipstick and eyeliner was perfectly applied. She was playing Joy Division on her iPhone. She hoped Jay would surprise her with orchestra seats to Sweeney Todd and dinner. She saw him in his raggy jeans, Motley Crue t-shirt and beat up Nikes. Ok, she thought he may need to dress better. But he can charm her with theater tickets and dinner. He kissed her hello. She hoped he brought her flowers with the tops chopped off. Or just a lovely bouquet. He handed her a can of coke and a hot pretzel from a vendor. She asked what they were gonna do. He smiled. He said let’s walk. They walked down toward the West Side Highway. She was worried. She knew he beat his ex-wife Diane and that the two of them abandoned Jerry in Riverside Park.
They found a bench and Jay just sat there and pulled out a joint. She took a hit. She didn’t want to. But she wanted to be with someone. She wondered why she was sitting there. The other guys who liked her tried to take her to goth and other shows. She turned them down. Jay took her to Riis Park, Coney Island, and the Seaport. All they did was sit and have a beer or two. Where was the romance she thought? Jay was higher than a kite. Not from the joint. But from whatever he did before he met Kari.
She asked him about taking her to a play and dinner. He didn’t respond. He was so out of it he had no idea she was talking to him. She kissed him and thought some affection would get him to honor her wishes. He pushed her away. She tried again and again. This went on for a few minutes. A few benches away, she saw a young couple kissing and sharing a turkey sandwich. Kari was jealous and started to weep.
Mitchell's thoughts, photos, etc. 