Chapter 3: Tuesday
Nikki's alarm went off at 7 am. She quickly stood up to get dressed. As for myself, I had my problems to get out of bed on this cold morning. Nikki was already halfway out of the door when I finally got
out of the sheets. I grumbled while I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Nikki watched me and impatiently tapped the floor with her paw.
“Hurry up, Fluffy. I want to get breakfast before I have to go to the theater.”
Ten minutes later, we walked down to the dining area and had breakfast together. Sadly, they didn’t have cocoa, so I had to take a cup of tea. We didn’t talk much, since Nikki was writing to someone on her mobile for most of the time. She left at around 8:30, and I was sitting there alone for some time.
While I looked around, I saw so many different people walking in and out. Businessman, families with kids, and then I saw a man writing something down in a little book. That made me chuckle because it reminded me of myself. Every now and then I also take notes during the day. I took a deep breath as the memories of yesterday came back to me. Sure, I have heard about racism before. But I never faced it in the form I had to do it yesterday. And not only once, no, twice. Luckily, there were also some nice humans. This police officer at Time Square, for example. Or the manager of the comic book store, even if he only wanted to protect himself from a lawsuit, like mom said. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder, what startled me a bit. As I looked up, I saw Mr. Kofi standing behind me.
“Morning, champ. Why are you sitting here alone? Is Nicole still sleeping?”
I shook my head.
“Good morning, Mr. Kofi. Nikki is already on her way to the theater. I was just thinking about yesterday.”
The big cheetah sat down next to me, after he got himself something to eat and a cup of coffee.
“Please, Balto. Don’t put too many thoughts into what happened yesterday. I know that this must have been difficult for you, but stuff like that will happen to you again and again. I even had to experience this during my time in the army.”
I nodded in silence, and took a sip from my tea. Mr. Kofi continued:
“Let us change the topic, ok? Today we will see Liberty Island and Battery Park. There is also Castle Clinton, and the East Coast memorial. It is standing for fallen serviceman, who died in the coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean in the Battle of the Atlantic during World War 2.”
I set my plate and cup aside, put my arms on the table in front of me, and propped my head on them before speaking softly:
“I just would wish that Nikki could come with us.”
Mr. Kofi caressed gently over my back.
“I know, Balto. And I bet Nicole would prefer to be with us, too. But for her, this is not a vacation. See, we will make many photos, and in the evening, we will show them to your girl. Did you already wish her good luck for today’s training?”
Again, I shook my head.
“No, I didn’t, Mr. Kofi.”
“Do it, Balto. Write her a little message. Your girl is waiting for it, believe me.”
So, I wrote Nikki a few words.
“Hey Nikki. I hope you will have a great day, break a leg!
I miss you, and wish you could come with us.”
Her answer didn’t take long.
“Thank you, my cute little Fluffy. I miss you, too. I spoke with my partner here, after I caught him staring at me once more. He promised to be more professional from now on, and so far, it works. We made good progress, and I begin to have fun here. Will show you my costume later.
I love you.”
I wiped a tear out of my eye, what Mr. Kofi noticed. He asked me in a calm voice:
“Is everything ok?”
I smiled a bit while looking at him.
“Yes, Mr. Kofi. Nikki is fine, and she wrote that she made progress with the man she has to work with.”
Our talk continued for a bit longer, till mom and Mrs. Kofi joined us. Mommy took me into her arms from behind and gave me a kiss on my cheek.
“Morning my son. You had a nice breakfast?”
My tail wagged, while I enjoyed my mother’s warm hug.
“Yes mom. Can’t wait for seeing Miss Liberty. Did you know that her full name is
‘Liberty Enlightening the World’?”
Mom chuckled.
“No, Mr. Smartypants. Where do you get this from?”
“I know that from ‘Histeria!’ They made an episode about the statue.”
Mrs. Kofi smiled:
“Christa, you can really be proud. Balto is a little renaissance man.”
I quickly asked her:
“Oh, you know this show too, Mrs. Kofi?”
Now she laughed.
“Sure thing. I used to watch it with Nicole all the time, as she was a cub.”
Mom tousled through my hair.
“Maybe I should watch a few episodes with you, too. Seems like even an adult could learn something from it.”
I took my phone and went on Pawtube, looking for a video. Luckily, I found a clip of the episode about Lady Liberty, which I showed to the others.
Afterwards we finished our breakfast, I got Little Balto from our room, then we walked to the nearby Underground station. Mr. Kofi bought the tickets for all of us before we moved through the gates and down to the trains. The whole place was crowded with people. Some of them looked at us like we would be some kind of aliens. The adults seemed not to notice that, or they just didn’t care. Next, I saw this man from earlier again, holding his little journal and writing notes into it. Was he following us? What a strange guy.
It took us about 30 minutes to reach Battery Park. Mr. Kofi and I walked out of the subway station in front, the women followed us. Before we went to Castle Clinton for the tickets, we visited the War Memorial, looked at several statues, made photos, a group of school girls even wanted to make a photo with me. Funny thing, one even gave me a kiss on my snout.
After we finished our little sightseeing tour through this park, it was time to get to Liberty Island. Once more it was Nikki’s father, who bought the tickets for us. Four tickets to Liberty Island, including the visit to the statue. I wondered a little why he said that specifically.
Why else would you go there if you don't want to go in there as well? Next, we moved down to the docks. There we had to go to an airport-like security procedure, before we were allowed to board the Liberty Island Ferry. The other passengers on board always kept a bit of distance to us. Maybe they were afraid, maybe we smelled bad for them, I don’t know. Besides that, the boat ride to the island was quite uneventful. We arrived there, left the boat, then we made a little walk around the Island to make photos. For one of those, my mom let me pose like Lady Liberty. With Little Balto as my torch, and his transport box was my tablet of law. I wanted to protest, since I thought it was embarrassing, but it was mom who asked me. I could never deny a wish from my mom.
Luckily, she didn’t ask me to wear one of these stupid foam crowns they sell here in the gift shop. And you know what is the worst about this photo? Nikki is now using it as background for her Desktop and her Laptop! After that was done, we saw a really cool motorbike standing in a big showcase. Nikki would have definitely wanted to see that. She loves things that go fast. Cars, motorcycles, roller coasters, her Magic Wand. Ok, I also like that last one, to be honest.
When we had completed our walk around Liberty Island, we joined the queue in front of the statue. And that is when I heard why Mr. Kofi specifically said that we also wanted to go inside the statue, when he bought the tickets. The couple in front of us was denied from entering, since they had the wrong tickets. Poor people.
Inside the statue’s socket is a pretty nice exhibition about the history of Lady Liberty. We went up on the balcony, where we enjoyed the beautiful view over the harbor and the Skyline of New York City.
Afterwards, we visited the Museum. Besides other things, we could see the original torch of Lady Liberty there. I felt so small while I was standing in front of it.
We spent several hours on Liberty Island, till we took the ferry back to Battery Park. I used the time on board to write Nikki, and also to send her some of the pictures we made on the island. My girl answered with some pictures of the location she was in, and a selfie of her in this tight costume she had to wear. It looked pretty hot, but Nikki wrote that it is a bit too tight for her. I couldn’t wait to see her perform again. I was thinking about how breathtaking it was for me to see her in “Dance of the Vampires.” And how much I have enjoyed it to dance with her. I touched the spot on my neck, where she had bitten me after our dance. I was deep in my thoughts, until a voice brought me back into the here and now.
“Excuse me, can my son make a picture with you? He thinks you look like you are from ‘Paw Patrol’. He loves that show”.
I put my phone into my pocket, and after the boy took a seat next to me, we made a little photo together. The kid even hugged me like I was some kind of plushie. But ok, better than he starts to scream, and I get trouble again. My mother and Nikki’s parents also smiled as they watched the scene. My mom said to me:
“I remember like it was yesterday that you were as small as this boy, Balto.”
I smiled in response, while the kid and its parents thanked me and my mother.
It was still a strange feeling to be treated like an attraction in a circus. Mom could clearly see my discomfort, and sat down next to me. Mr. Kofi placed himself on my other side, and Mrs. Kofi next to him. Their protective nearness made me feel a bit better. I snuggled up to my mother, till we reached Battery Park and disembarked. The clock showed almost four o'clock in the afternoon. It sadly was too late now for visiting the Intrepid, but also a bit too early to go back. Something came into my mind.
“Can we go to Seward Park? There is a special statue I would like to see.”
Mom asked curiously which statue I meant. I explained to her that there is a statue of Togo in that park. He was a famous dog from the 1925 Serum Run. Mr. Kofi looked for the best way to get there, and we decided for a little walk. That way we could also see a little part of the so-called China Town. It took us about 40 minutes to get there, with a little stop for a slice of pizza. Well, Mr. Kofi wanted the pizza. It was too greasy for my taste, and also with salami on it. I don’t like salami.
In the Seward Park, I made a few photos of Little Balto standing next to the statue of Togo, I also tried to let it look like he is saluting to him, but that sadly didn’t really work.
After we're done, it was time to go back to our hotel. While we walked to a nearby subway station, we passed a firehouse. Next to it was, fixed on a lamppost, a piece of paper. As I read what was written on it, I had to giggle. Mom asked me:
“What is so funny, Balto?”
“There was a sign for a missed dog.”
The adults looked a little confused, so I explained to them why I had been giggling:
“We are in China Town.”
Mom chided me.
“Balto, that was dark. Even for your sense of humor.”
Mr. Kofi, on the other hand, chuckled.
“I don’t know, Christa. I think that it is pretty funny. Dark humor is often the funniest kind of humor.”
Mom looked at him with a serious expression in her face.
“Idrissa, I try to teach my son to be sensitive. What if the owner of that dog had heard your joke?”
Now I felt bad. Mom was right, that wouldn’t have been very funny. I looked down, while I lowered my ears in regret.
“I am sorry, mom.”
Mom placed her hand on my shoulder.
“Balto, just be careful to who you are telling such jokes. People these days easily get offended.”
To this, Mrs. Kofi added:
“Your mother is right. But I have to admit that I thought it was funny, too. Because I know it was meant as a joke, and because I know you would never intentionally hurt anyone.”
I nodded, while we walked down the stairs of the subway station. Half an hour later, we reached our hotel. It was a long day for me, and I was pretty tired. But I was also hungry because apart from our breakfast we hadn't eaten anything all day.
In the hotel lobby, I asked my mother:
“Mom, I am hungry. Are we going to a restaurant later?”
Mom looked to Nikki’s parents.
“Oh, I totally forgot that. Idrissa, Asha, what about you?”
Mrs. Kofi answered:
“Well, why don’t we wait for Nicole? That way we could go to dinner all together. And I bet she will also be hungry.”
Unnoticed by us, Nikki came in at that moment, and heard that last sentence of her mother. Hearing her voice let us all turn our heads around.
“You would win that bet, mom. I could eat a whole Zebra!”
Happily, I ran up to my girl and took her into my arms.
“Nikki! I missed you so much!”
She caressed my back, while my tail wagged fast. Nikki pressed me against her.
“I missed you too, Fluffy. So, what was that about having dinner?”
Mr. Kofi answered his daughter:
“Well, since I doubt that we can find a restaurant that serves Zebras in Manhattan, how about a Diner nearby? I have found one that should have reasonable prices, and good food.”
It was decided to try out that diner. I just put my backpack into our room, then we walked over to this place. I have to say, the look of it was wonderful. They even had a live show in there. It was full, and we nearly lost hope to get a table.
A young, somewhat overexcited waitress approached us.
“Hi! My name is Jessy, what can I do for you?”
Mr. Kofi took the word.
“Do you have a table for five, by any chance?”
“Let me have a look. Yes, there is a free table for you.”
Next, she looked at me.
“Oh, you are so cute! I have never seen an Anthro so small. Follow me, I will bring you to your table.”
We followed the girl to one of the bigger tables, where we took our seats.
Jessy asked if we wanted something to drink. Mom and Nikki’s parents ordered a bottle of wine, Nikki wanted something called a strawberry kiss, and I was allowed to get a coke.
As I looked around, I could see many humans with their kids enjoying their meals, I heard the live music, it seemed like a really cool place.
Jessy brought us our drinks, we checked the menu, ordered food. Mom and I had cheeseburgers, Nikki took a chicken salad, and her parents ordered steak. To make this short, it tasted great.
After we were finished, and Mr. Kofi asked for the check, Jessy told us that there will be Karaoke later downstairs in their so-called “Iridium”.
That was something Nikki didn’t want to miss. After she begged us to go there, we went downstairs. There was a stage, microphones were standing on it and also a monitor. Typical set-up for Karaoke.
Some teenagers were already standing on stage and singing a song, I think it was called “Poison”.
Nikki quickly grabbed a list with the available songs, after we found a place to sit down. Jessy, our waitress from before, came to us.
“Hi there again. Do you guys want something else to drink?”
The adults ordered some cocktails, Nikki wanted another Strawberry Kiss, and I became curious.
“Mom, can I also try a cocktail?”
Her answer didn’t take long.
“Sweetie, you are 14. Cocktails are alcoholic.”
Nikki came to my aid.
“Not my one. The Strawberry Kiss doesn’t have any alcohol in it. It is more of a shake than a cocktail. Otherwise, dad would not let me drink it.”
Her parents nodded, and mom gave her ok. That is how I got my first cocktail. I sniffed mine after Jesse had placed the drinks on the table. I often do that with foods and drinks which I don't know.
It smelled sweet and fruity. I took a sip through the straw, and damn, it tasted really good. I mean, muzzle-licking good. Mom smiled at me.
“And, how is it?”
I answered her enthusiastically:
“It is awesome! Want to try?”
Mom took a little sip of my drink.
“Ok, that is a bit too sweet for my taste. But you always liked the sweet stuff.”
While she said that, her gaze wandered over to Nikki. The young cheetah was still looking at the list of songs, and didn’t notice my mom smiling at her. She didn't look up from the list until my mother addressed her:
“Have you found a song for you to sing, Nicole?”
My girl nodded.
“Yes, I did. But it would be a duet, and I need someone to sing it with me.”
Her gaze went over to me.
“Do you want to sing a song with me, sweetie?”
She showed me the list and pointed at the song. It was, like many songs on this list, from a cartoon. Its name was “I see the Light”.
I wasn’t so sure about it. I mean, performing here, in front of all these humans. My body began to shiver, what mom recognized.
“Balto, you don’t have to do it, if you don’t want. But take a look at your girl. She would love to sing with you again. You did it at the camping trip, for what I was told.”
Her hand was resting on my shoulder, massaging it a bit.
“Just try to forget the people around you. Just focus on Nicole. Besides that, remember that no one here is a professional singer, and therefore, no one will judge you.”
I looked at Nikki. She smiled at me, looked at me with her wonderful purple eyes while her hands were folded like for a prayer.
“Well, ok. I will try it.”
We listened to a few more songs before it was our turn. Nikki dragged me on stage, accompanied by a few whistles from a group of boys.
The music began, Nikki started to sing, and the room went silent.
While Nikki was singing, she must have noticed me looking into the faces of all these people and that their stares somehow paralyzed me. She carefully took my muzzle in her hand and directed my gaze towards her. At that moment, everyone else vanished for me. As we sang together, all what I saw was Nikki.
At the end, to my surprise, she kissed me, and the audience cheered. I began to cry. I simply couldn’t hold it back, as much as I have tried it. Nikki took me into her arms, while we walked back to our table.
Because of my tearful eyes, I couldn’t see much. But I heard my mother’s warm voice, as she gave a tight hug.
“You did great, Balto. My little superstar.”
Mrs. Kofi added:
“It was truly wonderful to see you both up there. Idrissa, let us sing a song together, too. What do you think? We haven’t done that in years.”
Long story short, they also sang a song together. Mom seemed to be deep in thoughts during it, and I became a bit worried.
“What is wrong, mom?”
She shook her head in response.
“Nothing, Balto. All is fine, don’t worry.”
I looked at her with a serious expression.
“Mom, you always tell me not to lie. And now you do it yourself, if I ask you what is wrong.”
She looked at me and sighed, while she gently touched my cheek.
“Ok, ok. When I saw Asha and Idrissa up there, I had to think about your father. From time to time, he and I also sang Karaoke together. It always was so much fun.”
Without any more words, I took the list of songs. And I found something I thought might just fit at that moment.
“We are one” from The Lion King 2. I said, while I was pointing at the song:
“Mom, do you want to sing that one with me?”
“You want to sing with me? Balto, I don’t know.”
I begged her:
“Please, mom. I want to sing that with you. You sing Simba’s lines, and I will sing the part of Kiara.”
There was no way out of this for mom now, and she agreed. What should I tell you, it was a very emotional moment for both of us. I love my mom. She is simply the best mommy in the world.
We stayed at the diner for another hour, till we walked back to the hotel. I was so tired, that I could barely keep my eyes open. After Nikki brought me to bed, she left the room. Because of my tiredness, I felt asleep pretty fast.
Second day done, four more to go!
