ALEC & SUSAN

Three Months Without Him

Lungs burning and heart racing, I scrambled into the train station. I was terrified—frightened beyond anything I could comprehend. After fumbling to pay my fare, I collapsed onto a bench to wait. All I wanted was to be locked away in the quiet confines of my bedroom. This was the second time I'd been hunted like this. Why is my luck so poor? I wondered. I'll have to seek Jacob's advice; I cannot let this happen again.

When the train finally arrived, I hopped in and collapsed into a seat. The ride felt like an eternity, every minute stretching as I replayed the attack in my head. As soon as the doors opened at my stop, I bolted towards Jacob's corner store. Jacob looked up as I burst through the door, his eyes widening in shock. I was a mess-hair disheveled and clothes torn. He rushed from behind the counter and pulled me into a tight embrace.

"What happened?" he asked.

"I was attacked.....leaving work," I managed to choke out between ragged, hiccuping sobs.

He gently guided me behind the counter, letting me hide from the world until I could finally pull myself together. When the crying stopped, he pressed a small, cold bottle into my hand. I looked at it, puzzled.

"This is mace," he said firmly. "You need to carry this around your neck. If anyone ever tries that again, you spray it right in their face. It'll blind them long enough for you to get away."

I snatched it up, immediately fastening it around my neck.

"Don't ever leave home without it," Jacob commanded, his voice stern.

"I won't, I promise."

"Good. Go get a hot dog, get a soda, get something to eat before you go," he insisted.

I obeyed, leaving for the evening, but the safety didn't last. In the shower, I scrubbed furiously, trying to wash away the feeling of hands that still lingered on my body, tears streaming down my face. I'd only ever heard of such violence; now, I'd lived it—not once, but twice. I have to be more vigilant, I told myself, clutching the object around my neck.

Sleep was impossible; every time I closed my eyes, his wicked grin hunted the darkness. Desperate for calm, I shifted my focus to my rescuer, conjuring the image of his piercing, unforgettable blue eyes. As I pictured him, a sense of peace washed over me, and I finally drifted off.

Getting to work the next day was a mix of terror and excitement. As I looked around during the morning rush hour, I realized the crowd might offer some safety, yet I decided to ask one of the girls to walk with me to the train. The day passed in a blur, dominated by thoughts of yesterday's incident. Luckily, I met up with Ava, who shared my schedule. She seemed relieved to have company, just as I was. As we rode the train together, I finally felt a sense of calm, thankful I wouldn't have to leave work alone anymore.

That night I dreamed of my mysterious stranger and fantasized about him until I fell asleep. It has been three months since that incident, and my confidence has improved. Ava and I still enjoy taking the train together every day.

Upon getting to the park, we noticed an attractive Indian guy setting up a food cart. After an interrogation by the ladies, he passed the test, as he didn't leave with his tail between his legs. He is our new food vendor, Steven. How exciting, we all thought! Walking away, I noticed he was focused on Katie. When we got to the sandbox, I pulled Katie aside and told her,

"I think he has his eyes on you."

She turned around to find him looking at her, and they both smiled.

Katie told me she had her eye on another guy-a doorman she'd never actually spoken to, just shared little, flirtatious gestures with him as she crossed the street. After a good day at the park, we planned to take the kiddos to Riverside Park between 77th Street and 83rd Street, a trip I knew I would enjoy.

The next day, we got the kids dressed, packed lunches, and headed for the train, which they love riding. Once we arrived, we helped each other carry the strollers up the stairs and walked towards the park. It was absolutely beautiful.

Riverside Park is a scenic, 4-mile-long, 191-acre green ribbon on Manhattan's Upper West Side offering a quieter, more intimate alternative to Central Park, with stunning, direct waterfront views of the Hudson River and New Jersey skyline. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, it features lush, rolling landscapes, landscaped gardens, and a bustling, flat, multi-use path for cyclists and pedestrians that runs alongside the river.

The park features a scenic promenade where residents picnic, walk dogs, and watch boats, with a popular café at the 79th Street Boat Basin. The 91st Street Garden is a highlight, famous for being the setting of the final scene in You've Got Mail.

A popular, flat, paved path runs from 59th to 158th street, heavily used by cyclists, joggers, and roller-bladers, connecting to the Little Red Lighthouse under the George Washington Bridge.

The park is home to significant monuments, including Grant's Tomb, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, and the quiet, historic "Amiable Child" grave.

It offers a more local, relaxed, and less touristy vibe than Central Park, featuring dramatic, sweeping views of the Hudson River at sunset.

The park features diverse, mature trees (including cherry blossoms in spring), rocky outcrops like "Mount Tom," and specialized areas like a 10-acre bird sanctuary between 116th and 124th streets.

The park is easily accessible from the Upper West Side, with various entry points from Riverside Drive, often featuring beautiful, historic stone staircases.

The best places for a family picnic in Riverside Park, are around the Hippo playground (around 91st St) for easy kid access, and River Run Playground (around 83rd St), which features a sandpit, merry-go-round, and bathrooms. These spots offer grassy areas, shade, and proximity to playgrounds for a stress-free outing.

We decided to have lunch at the River Run Playground because it was the better option of the two we were considering; easy access to the bathrooms made it particularly attractive.

The promise of a day at Hippo Playground sent the kids into a frenzy of excitement. By the end of it, however, that energy had vanished into pure exhaustion. We fought to keep them awake on the ride back. The evening routine—dinner, bath, and a bedtime story—was the final straw for Jessica. She drifted off right there on the sofa. Carrying her to bed, I brushed a few strands of hair from her sleeping face, struck by what a sweet angel she is.

I had a great time today, though I left feeling tired. I made my usual stop to see Jacob, a man in his fifties who was like a father figure to me.

"There is lots to see in the city."

"I agree."

" I need to explore it with the ladies soon."

I always turn to him when something good or bad happens. He once told me he never had children of his own, and I felt sad for him.

Then Jacob told me, "You are like the daughter I never had."

I just hugged him so tight, and didn't want to let go until the bell on the door sounded, indicating someone was walking in.

"I am sorry I could not help myself. You have been like a father to me, [I was tearing up by this point] and I want you to know how much I appreciate all the help you have given me."

On my way home, I thought about how lucky I am to have great friends and a substitute father like Jacob, who has truly looked out for me. What would make things perfect, however, is to meet my mysterious stranger. It had been three months with no sign of him anywhere.

"Will I ever see him again?" The question lingered in my head.