Universally Challenged

by Anna Bell

  He slung the jacket around her shoulders and she gladly put her arms inside it and wrapped herself up.

  ‘That’s better,’ she said.

  Having packed away their picnic, they found themselves following everyone else out of the park.

  ‘Shit,’ said Jessica as she tripped over a tree root. She managed to keep herself almost upright.

  ‘Are you ok?’ asked Jake, reaching out and pulling her up straight.

  He slung his arm through hers and carried on walking. Jessica was trying to ignore the fact that her stomach was doing somersaults being that close to Jake.

  They managed to make it out of the park and back onto the paved sidewalk without another tree root encounter. But still neither of them unlinked their arms.

  They chatted easily about the concert and their favourite bits, ignoring the subway stations that they passed. The crowds began to thin out, the further south they got along the edge of the park.

  ‘I’ve always wanted to go in one of those,’ said Jessica, pointing to the horse and carriages lining Central Park.

  ‘Why do women love that so much? You get to go round the park, which is pretty dark, in a bumpy carriage and it costs a fortune. Where’s the romance in that?’

  ‘It isn’t about the bumpiness, it’s who you are with that makes it romantic,’ said Jessica, looking at the carriages wistfully.

  ‘You want to go in one?’ said Jake sighing.

  ‘Ha, no.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  Jake had stopped walking and had turned to face Jessica. When he’d unlinked arms he’d somehow ended up with his hand in hers.

  She looked up at him in the dimly lit light and their eyes locked. She couldn’t move and suddenly she was willing him to kiss her.

  Jake must have read her mind and he leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. He lingered there, as if to check whether Jessica was going to pull away. When she didn’t, he pressed his lips more firmly to hers and started to kiss her gently.

  Jessica felt her free hand find the small of his back as she kissed him back. She’d noticed his hand had appeared around her waist, pulling him into her.

  They heard a group of people whistle at them, with a few ‘alright’ calls, as groups that had also been picnicking in the park walked passed them.

  Jessica could feel herself laughing at the cat-calling. She’d got so lost in the moment with Jake, that she had forgotten totally about where she was. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d done such a shameful public display of affection.

  ‘So how about that carriage ride?’ asked Jake.

  Jessica couldn’t say no to him. He took her by the hand and led her over to the first horse and carriage in the line. He helped Jessica climb the step and then settled into the seat next to her. Despite having warmed up from the walk, Jake still covered their laps with the blankets provided.

  The horse trotted through Central Park and Jessica cuddled into Jake as he explained the features of the park. All the while he was gently stroking her arms.

  ‘So, is it everything you imagined it to be?’ said Jake laughing at her.

  ‘Well, actually it is. I mean it’s like a fairytale.’

  Jessica did have to admit that it was bumpy, and the fact that it was dark meant that they couldn’t actually see a lot. She reasoned that maybe it would have been better on a cold winter’s day when it had been snowing and the Christmas lights illuminated Manhattan. But she had been right that none of that mattered as it was all to do with who she was with. The fact that she could cuddle up to Jake, watching the world go by, was an amazing feeling. And worth every penny that it was costing.

  When the carriage ride came to an end, Jake hopped out and immediately helped Jessica down the step. She imagined, for a fleeting moment, that she was a Victorian princess disembarking to meet her prince.

  She watched as Jake handed over the wodge of bills to the driver without flinching. It had been the most perfect night of her life. Her almost tour of the Met, the picnic and the music, the fireworks and a carriage ride in Central Park. It was like something out of a chick flick.

  ‘I guess we’d better think about getting you home before you turn into a pumpkin,’ said Jake.

  ‘I guess so.’ Jessica didn’t want to go home. She wanted to stay right there with Jake. Or go back to wherever he was going.

  But that wasn’t in Jake’s thoughts as he flagged her down a taxi.

  ‘I don’t live too far from here, so I’m going walk home. Will you be ok in a cab by yourself?’

  ‘I think I can manage,’ said Jessica.

  ‘Ok then. Can I see you tomorrow?’ he said.

  Jessica nodded.

  ‘Great. Well, it’s the ball tomorrow night, still wanna be my date?’

  ‘Sure do,’ said Jessica mimicking his accent.

  He leant down and kissed her goodnight. It was gentler than their earlier kiss, but it made Jessica go weak at the knees. He held the door of the cab open and waved her goodbye.

  She watched him stood on the corner of Central Park as the taxi pulled away. She couldn’t believe how much she liked him. All those months they’d corresponded via email for work and she’d never in a million years thought that she’d end up like this, snogging him in Central Park.

  She wondered what her work colleagues would think. They always took a dim view of office employees having romantic liaisons. And then she remembered that they didn’t work together. That she wasn’t an employee of LMG Global.

  And no sooner had she remembered that she didn’t work and LMG that she remembered the little gold band on her left finger: Benjy.

  Her mobile phone beeped in her bag. As if on cue, Benjy had sent her a message.

  Benjy

  Just got home, where you at? B x x

  Jessica’s butterflies in her stomach reappeared. Not this time as a result of lustful thoughts about Jake, but instead due to extreme guilt.

  Whether or not Jessica liked the fact, she was married to Benjy, and yet she’d spent the whole evening falling for another man. She wished she could blink and wake up back in her old life, as the feeling of guilt was only getting worse the closer she got to the apartment.

  Chapter 24 – Jess Burns

  Jess bit into the Apple Miche and nearly orgasmed on the spot. It was divine. She looked around the park and couldn’t believe events like this happened in the city.

  She never went to events like these. Being in the park on a hot summer evening, listening to classical music as the light faded. It was a stark contrast from the sweaty, dingy bars they went to, to hear live music.

  ‘Aren’t they amazing?’ said Jake.

  ‘They are. I’m so glad I came. Thank you, Jake, for inviting me.’

  ‘No problem,’ he whispered.

  They’d got a few looks from the crowd because of their talking. Jake had been forced to lean in close to talk into Jess’ ear.

  Jess felt her arms tingle. She was almost glad they hadn’t found his friends, grateful for his dead cell phone battery. She was surprising herself at how much she was enjoying his company and having him all to herself.

  The light continued to fade, and Jess continued to be wowed by the music. Eventually it drew to a close with the most spectacular fireworks display.

  ‘You know, no matter how many times I see firework displays in the country, it never ceases to amaze me how much bigger they are than they are in the UK.’

  They stood up slowly and followed the crowds out of Central Park, chatting about the performance they’d just seen.

  ‘You know I almost forgot about the presentation tomorrow, that’s got to be a good sign. Right?’ said Jess.

  ‘Hey, no talking about work. We were having fun.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry. Mr Workaholic.’

  ‘Oh, you’re a fine one to talk. I used to get emails from you at 5pm my time, frequently. Which means you work until at least 10pm.’

  ‘I do? Man, my life keeps getti
ng worse. Tell me, is there anything good about my life?’

  ‘I’m sure there’s something. You have nice clothes.’

  Jess laughed, ‘Yes, I have to say I am loving the clothes.’

  ‘Do you want to get a cab back to the village?’

  ‘I don’t fancy going back to the hotel just yet. I’ll only start sweating over the presentation.’

  ‘What do you fancy doing? Hey, we could get a carriage ride around the park?’

  ‘You’re such a sap,’ said Jess, pushing him away and laughing.

  ‘I just thought it was a good touristy thing to do.’

  ‘Yeah, well I’m not a tourist.’

  ‘I keep forgetting.’

  ‘Plus, I’ve already done that.’

  ‘How’d that go?’

  ‘Well, it would have been better if we hadn’t been stoned. Benjy spent the whole time trying to convince the driver to swing by a hot dog vendor as he was hungry, and I spent the whole time thinking that I was going to fall out of the carriage as it so was bumpy. My hands were aching when I woke up the next day. I’d been clinging on for dear life.’

  Jake was smiling at Jess curiously.

  ‘What?’

  ‘You’re, well, you’re so different to how I imagined you’d be. Or at least how I imagined you’d be via email.’

  ‘What am I like then? Normally.’

  ‘Efficient, highly organised, serious.’

  Jess knew she could be all those things, when she put her mind to it.

  ‘It’s so strange, not knowing what I’m like. I’m going crazy, aren’t I?’

  ‘Is that what Dr Rosenthal said?’

  ‘No,’ said Jess. She hadn’t wanted to tell Jake, but she felt they’d grown closer that evening. ‘Dr Rosenthal thought I was stressed at work and I made it all up.’

  ‘Huh,’ said Jake. ‘Do you think you’ll get your memory back when you’re less stressed?’

  Jess shrugged her shoulders. She didn’t want to tell Jake, but this was the least stressed she’d been in years. Not having to worry about her and Benjy’s marriage; not having to worry about whether they were ever going to move out of the city, start a family, and actually grow up.

  Now she was calm, with the only thing to worry about being the presentation tomorrow.

  In some ways she wanted to go back to her old life, getting as far away from LMG Global as she could. But in other ways she was actually enjoying this new life. It was liberating, starting again. A fresh start. And Jake was definitely a benefit of that new life.

  ‘Seeing as you shot my carriage ride idea down in flames, have you got any others you’d like to shoot down? Maybe a helicopter ride over the city or going up the Empire State Building at night. There are plenty of great ways to spend an evening.’

  ‘I have never been up the Empire State Building,’ said Jess, too quickly to realise what she’d said.

  ‘How can you never have been up the Empire State? Aren’t you the woman who keeps trying to tell me that you’ve lived in the city for years?’

  ‘I’m scared of heights,’ whispered Jess.

  ‘You’re what?’

  ‘Scared of heights.’

  ‘But it’s the Empire State Building. You have to go up, and at night. Oh my God, Jess. Come on, we’re going.’

  Jess didn’t move a muscle.

  ‘Come on, I’ll hold your hand.’

  Jake reached over and took her hand. Jess let herself be led and she didn’t know why.

  Jake flagged a cab and Jess found herself climbing in next to him. Still clutching his hand for dear life.

  Jake silently stroked her hand during the cab ride, and neither of them spoke. When Jess got out of the cab she looked up at the building. Even in the dark it dwarfed her. Her stomach felt heavy and her feet didn’t want to move.

  ‘Come on, don’t think about it,’ said Jake. He re-took her hand and marched her into the foyer.

  Ten minutes later they were in the lift ascending to the 86th floor, making her dizzy, whizzing its way up. When eventually the lift doors pinged open, Jess hesitated. She could feel the cool breeze from the outside creep over her bones. She felt content just to stay where she was.

  Jake didn’t speak; he just walked forward and pulled her slowly out of the lift. Jess shuffled as slowly as she could until she found herself outside.

  ‘Oh wow,’ said Jess. For the second time tonight she’d done something she hadn’t done before in the city. And it blew her mind; the views were breathtaking.

  ‘Look, you’re outside.’ Jake reassuringly rubbed her back and was grinning from ear to ear.

  ‘I know, get me.’

  ‘You can walk around, you know.’

  ‘I know. I just like it just here.’

  ‘Aha, well you might be blocking the entrance a little. How about we go for a little walk?’

  ‘Ok, but I’m staying by the wall.’

  ‘That’s fine.’

  Jess and Jake shuffled slowly round, seeing the twinkling lights of Manhattan from every different angle. She tried to test her knowledge of the skyline, picking out the different buildings. She made sure she was less than an inch away from the inside wall at all times.

  The funny thing was that she didn’t feel like she was high up; all she could see were the lights of the buildings. She knew the Empire State Building was tall, but there were so many skyscrapers around it didn’t make her feel like they were that high up.

  ‘I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on this all these years.’

  ‘See, life isn’t so scary after all.’

  ‘No, although I don’t think I’d like to do this in the daytime.’

  ‘You want to go up to the next deck?’

  ‘There’s more?’

  Jake laughed. ‘Come on, Dorothy, you’re not in Kansas anymore.’

  Jess was relieved to get back into the gift shop and into the elevator, not sure she wanted to jinx it by going up.

  If she was impressed with the 86th floor, she was blown away all over again by the 102nd floor.

  ‘Bet you’re glad you came now.’

  Jess just nodded.

  ‘So does tonight count?’ said Jake.

  ‘For what?’

  ‘For something good about your life?’

  ‘Whatever do you mean?’ asked Jess, hoping she was guessing rightly what he was trying to say.

  ‘Do I need to spell it out for you?’

  But before he elaborated he’d bent down and kissed her full on the lips.

  She stood back, stunned. She hadn’t had anyone else’s lips on hers, except for Benjy, since she’d met him eight years ago.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ said Jake. ‘I just thought.’

  Jess didn’t know what to think. Part of her wanted to kiss him, but the other part of her was screaming that she was married.

  She had to think about the Benjy she’d spoken to two days ago. He was married to someone else. As far as she knew she was single, and there wasn’t anything to stop her kissing Jake.

  Jess reached for Jake’s shirt and she pulled him towards her. She planted a kiss back on his lips and before she knew it they were kissing like teenagers.

  It felt weird. She didn’t know if it was bad weird, or good weird: it was just weird. Jake didn’t kiss like Benjy.

  No matter how he kissed, all Jess knew was that she couldn’t stop kissing him. Her legs were feeling unsteady and her head light. And she knew it was nothing to do with being scared of heights.

  ‘Still think your life is crappy?’ said Jake.

  ‘Nu-uh,’ said Jess, licking her lips.

  Jake leant down and kissed her again, more furiously this time. Jess wondered if it was wrong to take him back to her hotel room. But she pushed those thoughts from her head. If it was weird kissing someone, she couldn’t imagine how weird it would be having someone else doing anything more to her.

  Jess felt like Meg Ryan in the ending of Sleepless in Seattle. This was by far
the most romantic moment she’d ever had in her life. How ironic that it had happened less than a quarter of a mile from her apartment and with someone other than her husband.

  ‘You want to go downstairs?’

  ‘Not yet,’ said Jess. She was suddenly aware of the other visitors on the deck giving them sly smiles at their public displays of affection. Jess turned away to face the skyline of Manhattan, trying to pick out where her apartment was. Jake slipped his arm around her and they stood there in silence.

  For the first time all week, Jess hoped she never awoke from this dream. This was the start of her new life and that included Jake in it.

  Chapter 25 – Jessica Anderson

  Jessica woke up smiling. For once she didn’t mind that she’d woken up in the funny little apartment that was supposed to be her home. She kept replaying the kiss with Jake over and over in her head.

  She rolled over to find that Benjy had already vacated his side of the bed, and by the quietness of the apartment, she guessed he’d vacated that, too. Jessica was relieved.

  She’d come back from her night out to find him sat waiting for her in the living room. He had questioned her like the Spanish Inquisition to work out where she’d been and was almost sulking that she hadn’t been waiting in for him.

  She’d seen the sulky side of Benjy on a few occasions when they’d been together all those years ago, when he hadn’t got his own way.

  Jessica had toyed with telling him the truth. The truth about her thinking she lived in London, and the truth about how she felt about Jake. Ultimately, she hadn’t been able to. She had no idea what was going on, and she was terrified that one day she’d wake up and remember that this was her life.

  Benjy had asked her where she’d been, and she managed to fumble that she’d been to the picnic in the park by herself. She’d been surprised that her blushes hadn’t given her away.

  Benjy had seemed satisfied and had stopped sulking. She’d in turn asked him how his evening was and he’d snapped that it he’d been hard at work all night and couldn’t have the luxury of sipping wine in Central Park.

  They’d gone to bed barely speaking. It scared Jessica. How could married life be like that? All those years she’d dreamt of bumping into Benjy and recreating their whirlwind romance. Yet here they were living it and she might as well be living with a gay best friend with the amount of romance and chemistry that existed between them.