04/25/25

Sometimes all you need is a burger and a kiss from your lover

7:25 pm

A dazzling watercolor of hot pinks and dark purples. Gliding through the streets of the West Village, taking glances as I ride at the masses of people on the streets enjoying the warm spring air and looking up in awe at the first truly beautiful sunset of the season. I want to be in one of the bustling restaurants. I want to be with someone.

I keep on towards the West Side Highway, entering the bike path. The river water undulating in a vibrant slurry, reflecting the striking pink and orange horizon. Myself, the people I pass by, and those who pass by me—we’ve all been suffused by the marmalade sky.

…

I cross to the east side at 59th. The warm air is comforting. The ride is smooth. I’m firing on all cylinders with only two miles left to spare on the bike meter. The limestone buildings running the length of Fifth Avenue shine bright-white against the sapphire sky. Windows gleam with the night, my reflection rippling within them as I ride past. Marigolds in bloom radiate a fluorescent glow.

Each scene I breezed by is intertwined with the rhythmic delirium coming through my headphones. An organically crafted playlist of songs that, earlier in the day, had played seamlessly while I listened to the discover station. Synergistically, one after another. All culminating in the unbroken sound of Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Over the weekend I sat in my windowsill, listening to the album in full for the first time in a long time. I listened and thought of nothing at all except that it was hot and that the trees that line the street, and the edge of Central Park that I can see from my window, had all become green before my eyes. Suddenly it’s spring. The heat comes quickly. One day it’s winter and one day it’s not and then suddenly it’s summer. Over and over.

…

I find a dock around 72nd and walk to meet H for dinner.

He had already arrived about an hour earlier. When I arrive, the Friday night crowd had begun to spill out of the entrance and onto the sidewalk. I walk in to find H in the middle of the bar ordering a fresh beer from the Popeye-esque bartender. H gets up and I sit, my feet so sore from the day. I order the same.

Two seats open up at the end of the bar. With our good rapport, the bartender moves us, cutting off the two people that had been hovering over the soon-to-be-vacant seats. I felt bad but in my starved state, I couldn’t be more grateful for receiving this bit of favoritism. That being said, the end of the bar, facing into the restaurant and right next to the door, is not my ideal. The area is cramped with the constant influx and efflux of patrons. I prefer to be closer to the jukebox. I chalk it up as the balance of karma.

While waiting for our food we overhear the frazzled new take-out girl earnestly maintaining a cheery demeanor despite the clear string of mistakes she had been making since we moved near her post. If I had turned around to look at her I wouldn’t have been surprised to see a young girl as sweet looking as a fawn. I rooted for her in my head.

…

I take a sip of my ice cold drink, then a sip of warm decaf coffee. A bite of chocolate cake. And another sip of coffee. There’s the obscured sound of the Rolling Stones peeking through the clattering and clamor. I can feel the cooling air through the open door. I can feel warmth from the kitchen window. Cold then hot then cold. Comforting.

Popeye the bartender reassures the girl after another mistake. Sweet fawn.

…

Outside, I light up a cigarette in an open space of street, defended against oncoming traffic by a protruding construction site. I stare into the glowing neon sign reading J.G. Melon. H comes out and we share the cigarette. Cars race by. I’m hypnotized by the beautiful phosphorescence.

The stress of the week is washed away by our perfect conditions. When you know the bartender, and the server, and the doorman, and you eat a delicious meal. When your feet no longer hurt and your lover kisses you on the street. When a taxi arrives at the moment you want it. When you listen to a song together. When the song is perfect.

Playlist

Harlem Nocturn - Illinois Jacquet

Fence no Aru Ie - OGRE YOU ASSHOLE

Headlights Look Like Diamonds - Arcade Fire

Did You See The Words - Animal Collective

Three Rings - Grizzly Bear

Pantomime - WJSN

My Girls - Animal Collective