@jjjooooossshhh

ball-shaped thing over emma’s left shoulder was an artpiece at the WTC that looked kind of crushed already before the attacks, not that we mentioned this.

the entire population of staten island rides the ferry both ways every time.

auntie pam explained ellis island’s role in our cultural history, improvising where necessary, and pointing to governor’s [...]

jimmy’s diner gives a surprise free plate o’ homemade donuts at brunch, provided you don’t expect them to do it this time.

“mr. potato head.”

emma “finished” first.
i’m staring at about $9 worth of uneaten waffle – 26 percent of my entire personal food budget for a week.

trains are too loud.

kissing the [...]

emma went to a play at the manhattan children’s theater. i took a pass. hot day, and i was thinking about the fundamental Emptiness, and i thought i needed whiskey. it was nearly 12 p.m.
“i’ll be right here when you get out.”
“bye, josh.”

an hour later and she’s making new friends.

exiting the [...]

emma went for number 3.

waiting for the nominal subway.
emma refused to believe she was in an underground tunnel gussied up by disney imagineers to resemble an elevated railway:

“subways are always underground,” i say.
“then this isn’t a subway.”
touche.

taking the bridge:

“woah. guy. MY cab.”

“hi, mom. actually we’re in mexico.”

first view of manhattan.
emma has learned what a borough is.
she identifies the umpire state building.
“those don’t look like very big buildings though.”
“they’re still far away,” auntie pam says.
“oh.”

no wonder it was such a wild drive.

1. insert fork
2. lift fried chicken [...]