Another thing I didn’t understand. I was perfectly capable of opening my own. I didn’t see why Williams had to. But I waited and let the man do it. The silliness piled and piled. As I climbed out I whispered a “thank you” before turning my attention to the screens, their colors running the square.
“Oh my. My, oh my.”
I wasn’t the only tourist here. They were everywhere. It was easy to see the majority of people in the square weren’t New Yorkers. The busy suits and ties were absent. Just cameras, families, and what appeared to be a cowboy standing in his underwear. Oh, and also, there were cartoon characters and a sad looking Mickey Mouse.
“Why is that man in his underwear?” I asked Hale as he came up beside me. An Asian family was having its picture made with the almost naked man and his guitar. A line had formed behind them. There were females my age waiting with their phones, their sorority shirts identical.
“The Naked Cowboy,” Hale responded. “One of the wonders of Times Square with its tourists.” He didn’t seem to think it was wondrous. His tone was again annoyed.
“He just poses for photos and whatnot? Or does he play the guitar and sing?”
Hale rolled his eyes. “He gets money for the photos. People tip him. Now, let’s go stand in the middle and let you take it all in so we can go. There are more enjoyable parts of the city that don’t include these people.”
I was enjoying myself just fine right here, but I didn’t say a word. I followed Hale to stand in the middle. I needed a picture of this. To print and send home to Hazel. She would squeal when she saw where I was.
“Will you take a photo of me?” I dug for my phone in the chaos of my purse and the searching drew his attention.
“Of course,” he replied. Then frowned at the sight of my purse. “After this we’re buying you a new one. Several new purses in fact.”
I glanced down at the purse my mother had made me. She’d sewn it for my graduation. I liked my purse. But it didn’t match my clothing. There was an obvious difference and he saw it, another thing I wouldn’t have imagined.
Handing him my phone I stood back and smiled. I extended my hands as if supporting the world, or more like Times Square in my palms. Very touristy indeed. Just as he took the photo a woman came up to his hip. She was painted metallic gold and wearing a tiny bikini. He frowned, “no thanks” was his sharp reply, though it didn’t seem to faze her. She had money tucked in her bottoms. I assumed she was another of those photo people who get tipped for taking pictures. I was tempted to get one with her. Jamie would think it was hilarious.
“I’ve had all of this I can take. It feels and smells disgusting.” Hale said it too loud and the gold woman left and then he came over to me. I agreed the smell wasn’t very agreeable, but we were standing on the world’s crossroads. Sometimes adventure was smelly.
“Let’s go shop for the items you need.”
He then pressed his hand on my lower back and led me to the waiting Williams. I didn’t say a word.
Chapter Five
Shopping was more intense than I imagined. I picked some clothing but didn’t get to wear it, because models wore it for me. I then chose the items I wanted and tried them on myself. When I thought we were done, because it took forever, we ended up somewhere else.
The last stop was Louis Vuitton. I bought two purses quickly. As quickly as Hale would allow me. They cost more than any automobile my momma ever owned. As exciting as it felt to have them, I felt guilty for taking them with me. I wasn’t sure I wanted the life I was living, though I always thought I would. I guess adjusting could take some time. I’d dreamed of beautiful clothing, expensive meals and a life that was charmed. But the reality of it was different. Hale wasn’t in love with me and I wasn’t his Cinderella. There was nothing about him that was prince-like. I had no idea what I was to the man or what we were together. And it was I, Sammy Jo Knox, who was stuck in the middle of this “thing.” Whatever this “thing” was becoming.
Several times throughout the day Hale would answer his phone. I thought that might bring the shopping to an end. Deep down I wanted it to. The money he was spending increased my discomfort, because it wasn’t necessary. If momma could see this she wouldn’t approve. It was ego, extravagance and arrogance. Neither of the three did she care for. Was that why it bothered me so much? I knew momma wouldn’t like it? She’d warn me and I would ignore it. What if this time she was right?
His phone rang again after Louis Vuitton and he checked it without responding. Looked at the screen and then held it. We were settled in the back of the car. I thought we might be going to dinner. Although, after the shopping, I wasn’t sure he wanted to do that. He knew that the lavish treatment had set me off kilter a bit. Actually, it had floored me. He then turned to me and spoke.
“I need to go to dinner with a friend who is only in town tonight. You’re not ready for that kind of thing.” He then looked back at his phone. “Your clothing is, but the polish of the clothing isn’t sufficient enough. I’ll drop you off at the penthouse. You can put away your new things and enjoy the evening as you wish.”
I wanted to sigh in relief. Being alone sounded good. I was always tense with Hale. Unsure what he’d say or do next. I didn’t want to feel this way. If I could just put my finger on what had changed that was making me nervous around him.
When Williams parked at the penthouse I was anxious to escape the car. To return to the jail I’d wanted to flee earlier in the day. I was tense from my time with Hale. I wasn’t typically like this.