#72nd street

[goshyesvintageads]

Zeckendorf Co, 1988

[ado0odi]

[wanderingnewyork]

From 2019: A B train enters the #72nd_Street_Station, #Manhattan.

[moontiara-action]

Hello! My short story, "The Coffee Bar on 72nd Street," was recently (i.e., today) published. It's now available to read--for free!--in the link below.

I had a really fun time writing this story. Most stories I've written, long and short, have had a lot of action and high stakes, but I wanted to do something a little different this time. Something more chill, you know? And there TOTALLY isn't anything strange happening at the coffee bar. No sir, not at all. 😉

Please enjoy. 🧡☕️

[chicagotimesonline]

Three Chicago women charged in Oak Brook Ulta Store theft

By Ann Nguyen, The Chicago Times December 6, 2023 OAK BROOK, IL – Three Chicago women have been arrested for allegedly stealing merchandise from the Oak Brook Ulta store and leading police on a high-speed chase. According to Robert Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney, on December 4, 2023, around 3:15 pm, Damonica Stewart, 27, of the 5300 block of S. Wood Street; Omesha Hawkins, 28, of the…

[thethief1996]

Israel has just bombed a hospital where hundreds of wounded and refugees were taking solace. Journalists in Gaza have reported there was hardly a single body whole in the aftermath (If you can stomach it, there's a video of a father holding what remains of his child). At least 500 people killed by IOF soldiers, who planned this action, got into an airplane and dropped that bomb willingly. The deadliest attack in five wars, according to the Ministry of Health.

Israel has denied ownership of the attack and said it was a misfired Hamas rocket. Originally, they celebrated it on their social media, saying they had destroyed a Hamas target, treating the deaths like an unfortunate collateral. After international backlash, they posted videos to their social media claiming it was a Hamas rocket. The video, though, shows a second explosion 40 minutes after the airstrike, and they edited it our of their tweet in a pathetic attempt at covering up.

Israel has said multiple times that they were going to bomb hospitals. They told doctors to evacuate and leave their patients to death because they were going to bomb, namely: Al Shifa, Shuhada Al Aqsa and the Quwaiti Hospital. Al Shifa housed at least 10.000 refugees and wounded, and worked as a hub for the press because it was one of the only hospitals that still had working generators. Medical crew worked with sirens blaring to signal the hospitals were not empty. This was a purposeful massacre. These people died hungry, thirsty and in pain because of the Israeli government's cruelty.

CNN and other media outlets already tried to pin the blame on Hamas, parroting back the pathetic propaganda being sold by the IOF. Even in death, Palestinians can't be respected and are used to further their own oppression. These people's deaths are not going to be in vain. Within our lifetimes, Palestine will be free.

Take action. The Labour Party in the UK had an emergency meeting today after several councilors threatened to resign if they didn't condemn Israeli war crimes. Calling to show your complaints works.

FOR PEOPLE IN THE USA: USCPR has developed this toolkit for calls

FOR PEOPLE IN THE UK: Friends of Al-Aqsa UK and Palestine Solidarity UK have made toolkits for calls and emails

FOR PEOPLE IN GERMANY: Here's a toolkit to contact your representatives by Voices in Europe for Peace

FOR PEOPLE IN IRELAND: Here's a toolkit by Voices in Europe for Peace

FOR PEOPLE IN POLAND: Here's a toolkit by Voices in Europe for Peace

FOR PEOPLE IN DENMARK: Here's a toolkit by Voices in Europe for Peace

FOR PEOPLE IN SWEDEN: Here's a toolkit by Voices in Europe for Peace

Protests in support have already erupted in Beirut, Madrid and Rabat in response to the shelling of the hospital. Join your local protest and raise your voices. For people in the US, Israel has just asked for additional $10bi in aid on top of the annual $3.8bi already given to them. Palestinians are asking that you refuse this loudly, with their every breath.

Here's a constantly updating list of protests:

Global calendar

USA calendar

Here are upcoming events:

WASHINGTON, DC: Outside Congress on 18/10 at 12 PM

WASHINGTON, DC: NATIONAL MARCH in front of the White House on 4/11 at 12 PM

SAN DIEGO: 2125 Pan American E Rd. (Spreckles Organ Pavillion) on 18/10 at 7 PM

NEW YORK: 72nd st. And 5th ave., Brooklyn on 21/10 at 2 PM

NEW YORK: CUNY Grad Building on 18/10 at 2 PM

NEW YORK: Oct 18, 5pm, Steinway & Astoria Blvd.

DALLAS: 1954 Commerce Street (Dallas Morning News Building) on 19/10 at 3 PM

[CAR RALLY] KITCHENER-WATERLOO: Fairview Park, 2960 Kingsway Dr. on 18/10 at 6 PM

KITCHENER-WATERLOO: CBC Building, 117 King St. W on 19/10 at 5 PM

HOUSTON: Zionist Consulate, 24 Greenway Plaza on 18/10 at 4 PM

OMAHA: 72nd St & Dodge St on 18/10 at 6 PM

SAINT PAUL, MN: Oct. 18, 5:30pm. State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

BALTIMORE: Oct 20, 6pm. Baltimore City Hall

DUBLIN: Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 1 on 18/10 at 5 PM

THURLES: Liberty Square on 19/10 at 7 PM

LURGAN: Market Street on 21/10 at 3 PM

PORTO ALEGRE: Rua João Alfredo, 61 on 18/10 at 19h

RIO DE JANEIRO: Cinelândia on 19/10 at 17h

RECIFE: Parque Treze de Maio on 19/10 at 17h

MANAUS: Teatro Amazonas, Largo de São Sebastião on 19/10 at 17h

SÃO PAULO: Praça Oswaldo Cruz on 22/10 at 11h

FOZ DO IGUAÇU: Praça da Paz on 22/10 at 9h

TSHWANE: Belgrade Square Park, Jan Shoba Street on 20/10 at 10 AM

VEREENIGING: Roshnee Sports Grounds on 21/10 at 14h30

Feel free to add more resources

[universalitgirlsblog2]

💞🎀TRYING DOESN'T EXIST 💞🎀

There is no try , you either do something or you don't. You either believe that you already have your desires or you keep believing an illusion ( 3d ) . When you are living in the end , you don't need to " try " to manifest your desires. Stop "hoping" that you manifest your desires. Be certain that you will manifest your desire since you are a master manifestor. Stop " trying " to manifest your desires. YOU ALREADY HAVE THEM.

I just want to mention the story by Neville Goddard . This story was also mentioned in Solar's guide ( Creator's code ). Whenever you feel discouraged by the 3D , feel free to come on this post and read this story.

Neville wanted to go home to Barbados, but he didn’t have enough money to do so.“Live as though you are there,” Abdullah told him, “and that you shall be.”He then said to me, "As you walk through this door now you are not walking on 72nd Street, you are walking on palm lined streets, coconut lined streets; this is Barbados. Do not ask me how you are going to go. You are in Barbados. You do not say 'how' when you 'are there'. You are there. Now you walk as though you were there."Basically, Abdullah told Neville to mentally live as if he was in Barbados, Neville was physically in NYC but in his mind he kept living and thinking he was already in Barbados. Neville was getting impatient as he lived in the end for weeks, but still didn’t see results. Whenever he spoke to Abdullah about it, he’d give Neville the same advice again and again."On the 3rd of December I stood before Abdullah and told him again I was no nearer my trip. He repeated his statement, "You are in Barbados."On the 4th of December, Neville finally manifested going to Barbados and cash to help him get there. He did this by only acknowledging that he was in Barbados, and not paying attention to him being in NYC.He operated mentally as someone who already has his desire fulfilled. This is called living in the end.

I want to ask you , why are trying to go to Barbados when you are already in Barbados ? Trying implies lack. Whenever you are affirming , listening to a subliminal etc you aren't " trying " to manifest your desire since you already have it. Affirmations, listening to subliminals etc are your reminders that you already have your desire. You just need to accept that you already have your desires .Like Neville said , " You are already that which you want to be, and your refusal to believe it is the only reason you do not see it."

Here is a excerpt would like to include in this post , this excerpt is from the book " Think & Grow rich " by Napoleon Hill.

" When you attempt to plant an idea , if the subconscious already harbors a negative, trying to force the new idea has the reverse effect because the subconscious becomes obsessed with defending it's established negative idea. And the harder you " try " to do something , the more the subconscious resists and the more difficult it becomes .

Even the use of word try is warned against because it gives suggestion to the subconscious of a preconceived failure. The concept of "trying" implies an ongoing effort. You don't want to try. You want to succeed. If you ask your subconscious to help you " try " , it may do just that. It may help you try , but it will prevent you from succeeding- because if you did succeed , then it could no longer help you " try " , which is what you asked it to do. "

In conclusion , stop " trying " to manifest. Trying will get you nowhere. You already have your desires. All you need to do is remind yourself and accept that YOU ALREADY HAVE YOUR DESIRES.

[sparklingself]

"𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐒"

if there is one thing you should read from neville, it’s the story of how he got into the law. he wasn’t perfect right from the start, either. he struggled at first, too. but he persisted and he fulfilled his desires.

Let me tell you why I am doing what I am doing today. It was back in 1933 in the city of New York, and my old friend Abdullah, with whom I studied Hebrew for five years, was really the beginning of the eating of all my superstitions. When I went to him I was filled with superstitions. I could not eat meat, I could not eat fish, I could not eat chicken, I could not eat any of these things that were living in the world. I did not drink, I did not smoke, and I was making a tremendous effort to live a celibate life.

Abdullah said to me, "I am not going to tell you 'you are crazy' Neville, but you are you know. All these things are stupid." But I could not believe they were stupid.

In November, 1933, I bade goodbye to my parents in the city of New York as they sailed for Barbados. I had been in this country 12 years with no desire to see Barbados. I was not successful and I was ashamed to go home to successful members of my family. After 12 years in America I was a failure in my own eyes. I was in the theatre and made money one year and spent it the next month. I was not what I would call by their standards nor by mine a successful person. (Neville)

before the law, neville had a lot of limiting beliefs and he felt unsuccessful. he had the self-concepts of being a failure. a lot of us most likely felt a similar way. we’ve all started somewhere, we’ve most likely believed that life happened to us not because of us. even if you’re in rock-bottom, you can still rise from there, as did neville. neville mastered the law and so can you, regardless of where you are in life.

Mind you when I said goodbye to my parents in November I had no desire to go to Barbados. The ship pulled out, and as I came up the street, something possessed me with a desire to go to Barbados.

It was the year 1933, I was unemployed and had no place to go except a little room on 75th Street. I went straight to my old friend Abdullah and said to him "Ab, the strangest feeling is possessing me. For the first time in 12 years I want to go to Barbados."

"If you want to go Neville, you have gone." he replied. That was very strange language to me. I am in New York City on 72nd Street and he tells me I have gone to Barbados. I said to him, "What do you mean, I have gone, Abdullah?"

He said, "Do you really want to go? "

I answered "yes."

He then said to me, "As you walk through this door now you are not walking on 72nd Street, you are walking on palm lined streets, coconut lined streets; this is Barbados. Do not ask me how you are going to go. You are in Barbados. You do not say 'how' when you 'are there'. You are there. Now you walk as though you were there."

I went out of his place in a daze. I am in Barbados. I have no money, I have no job, I am not even well clothed, and yet I am in Barbados.

He was not the kind of a person with whom you would argue, not Abdullah. Two weeks later I was no nearer my goal than on the day I first told him I wanted to go to Barbados. I said to him, "Ab, I trust you implicitly but here is one time I cannot see how it is going to work. I have not one penny towards my journey, I began to explain. (Neville)

neville didn’t have much faith in this at first. he couldn’t fathom how it’s going to work if he’s so poor. how is a silly question, because there are endless possibilities how something can come about. the “how” is what holds so many back - doubting its fulfillment because it seems unlikely. “unlikely” things happen all the time. it’s unlikely for you to see a familiar face on the street of a town that has thousands of residents - but it still happens.

You know what he did. He was as black as the ace of spades, my old friend Abdullah, with his turbaned head. As I sat in his living room he rose from his chair and went towards his study and slammed the door, which was not an invitation to follow him. As he went through the door he said to me, "I have said all that I have to say."

On the 3rd of December I stood before Abdullah and told him again I was no nearer my trip. He repeated his statement, "You are in Barbados."

The very last ship sailing for Barbados that would take me there for the reason I wanted to go, which was to be there for Christmas, sailed at noon on December 6th, the old Nerissa.

On the morning of December 4th, having no job, having no place to go, I slept late. When I got up there was an air mail letter from Barbados under my door. As I opened the letter a little piece of paper flickered to the floor. I picked it up and it was a draft for $50.00.

The letter was from my brother Victor and it read, "I am not asking you to come, Neville, this is a command. We have never had a Christmas when all the members of our family were present at the same time. This Christmas it could be done if you would come. "

My oldest brother Cecil left home before the youngest was born and then we started to move away from home at different times so never in the history of our family were we ever all together at the same time.

The letter continued, "You are not working, I know there is no reason why you cannot come, so you must be here before Christmas. The enclosed $50.00 is to buy a few shirts or a pair of shoes you may need for the trip. You will not need tips; use the bar if you are drinking. I will meet the ship and pay all your tips and your incurred expenses. I have cabled Furness, Withy & Co. in New York City and told them to issue you a ticket when you appear at their office. The $50.00 is simply to buy some little essentials. You may sign as you want aboard the ship. I will meet it and take care of all obligations."

I went down to Furness, Withy & Co. with my letter and let them read it. They said, "We received the cable Mr. Goddard, but unfortunately we have not any space left on the December 6th sailing. The only thing available is 3rd Class between New York and St . Thomas. When we get to St. Thomas we have a few passengers who are getting off. You may then ride 1st Class from St. Thomas to Barbados. But between New York and St. Thomas you must go 3rd Class, although you may have the privileges of the 1st Class dining room and walk the decks of the 1st Class."

I said, "I will take it."

I went back to my friend Abdullah on the afternoon of December 4th and said, "It worked like a dream." I told him what I had done, thinking he would be happy.

Do you know what he said to me? He said, "Who told you that you are going 3rd Class? Did I see you in Barbados, the man you are, going 3rd Class? You are in Barbados and you went there 1st Class.”

I did not have one moment to see him again before I sailed on the noon of December 6th. When I reached the dock with my passport and my papers to get aboard that ship the agent said to me, "We have good news for you, Mr. Goddard. There has been a cancellation and you are going 1st Class."

Abdullah taught me the importance of remaining faithful to an idea and not compromising. I wavered, but he remained faithful to the assumption that I was in Barbados and had traveled 1st Class. (Neville)

this story teaches a lot of lessons. especially for someone who has been struggling - you can see that it's very much possible to take your life into your own hands.

ab tells him to not settle for less. do not settle for anything less but the most wonderful. do not compromise. why should you receive less if you can receive more?

this story also explains what persisting actually means. yes, you are meant to drop it aka stop imagining it over and over in hopes of it finally realising. persisting just means that you know that it is done. whenever you are confronted with something that contradicts your inner-state, then you persist. you know that the work is already done and everything will be fine. you already have everything, it is done.

[newyorkthegoldenage]

Edward Hopper, The Bridle Path, 1939. Oil on canvas.

The Bridle Path shows three riders on horseback approaching the West 72nd Street entrance to Central Park in New York City. A large building [the Dakota] is seen above the hillside towering over the three riders - two women and a man. The riders are dressed in modern 1930s riding garb and appear to be galloping toward the dark tunnel. The man leans back and his horse's head rears up, slowing the gallop as they approach the tunnel.

Sotheby's says, "As the riders approach the foreboding darkness of the tunnel, they at first seem to fearlessly race ahead into the unknown. Yet the rider of the white horse pulls at the reins, as if questioning the decision to proceed" and suggests that this may have reflected Hopper's anxiety about the coming war. Hopper said, "There is a certain fear and anxiety, a great visual interest in the things that one sees coming into a great city."

Photo: WikiArt Text: edwardhopper.net

[humansofnewyork]

“One of my first days in New York, I went running with a friend in Central Park. I pointed at one of those big apartment buildings on 72nd Street, and said: ‘God, I’d give anything to live there.’ But the devil hears your prayers too. Ten years later I was jogging home to that very same building. I could see the light on in our apartment, and I didn’t want to go inside. I was in a marriage that I didn’t want to be in. A job I didn’t want to be in. I was drinking daily, way too much. I said: ‘God, I’d give up everything if I could just start over and be happy.’ That very night I got in an argument with my husband; and that was the end. When I first applied for this job, I felt like it was beneath me. I was angry at my situation. That first day they tried to send me to pick up trash along the Hudson. I said: ‘No, no, no. Anywhere but there.’ I used to jog along the Hudson; I was afraid some of my old friends would see me. So they sent me to Times Square instead. I worked there for awhile, but one day I got in trouble. And the boss said: ‘It’s the Hudson or nowhere.’ My phone bill was due. I didn’t have a choice. I’ve been here for a couple months now, and I can’t believe how long I was avoiding it. I love the sun. I love plants, I love water. The funny thing is, no matter how many times I used to jog down here, I never really saw it. I’d be so focused on me, or what I was trying to achieve, or the person who was in my path. Now I see the greens and the blues and the yellows. The view is just different when you’re picking up trash.”

[denerdnr]

Oliver Gould Jennings House

Hello, this time I decided to build something smaller than I'm used to, but no less beautiful. The Oliver Gould Jennings House is a mansion located at 7 East 72nd Street on the Upper East Side of New York City. It was originally built in 1898 for Oliver Gould Jennings in the French Beaux-Arts style. It currently belongs to Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the (now former) Emir of Qatar, who purchased the mansion and the nearby Henry T. Sloane House around 2004.

[visit-new-york]

Bethesda Terrace, Central Park, New York City, New York.

One of the most iconic and well-known features in Central Park is Bethesda Terrace, a large plaza consisting of two levels as well as an Arcade and a Fountain.

Bethesda Terrace is one of the most iconic and picturesque features of Central Park in New York City. Located in the middle of the park, it serves as both a practical and aesthetic focal point for visitors. Here are some key details about Bethesda Terrace:

Location: Bethesda Terrace is situated in the southern part of Central Park, near 72nd Street and Central Park West. It is easily accessible from various points within the park and is a popular gathering spot for both tourists and locals.

Architectural Design: The terrace was designed by architect Calvert Vaux and was built between 1859 and 1863 as part of the original construction of Central Park. It is a stunning example of the Victorian-era architecture that characterizes much of the park's design.

Features: Bethesda Terrace consists of several noteworthy elements, including:

The Terrace Arcade: This grand, covered walkway features intricate designs and ornate detailing, including intricate tile mosaics and intricate carvings.

The Bethesda Terrace Stairs: The grand staircase connects the upper and lower levels of the terrace and is often used as a backdrop for various performances, photoshoots, and events.

The Central Fountain: At the center of the lower level is the Bethesda Fountain, which is one of the most recognizable features in Central Park. The statue atop the fountain, known as "Angel of the Waters" or simply "Bethesda Angel," was designed by sculptor Emma Stebbins and represents the biblical story of the healing powers of the Bethesda Pool in Jerusalem.

Cultural Significance: Bethesda Terrace has played a significant role in the cultural life of New York City. It has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and music videos. Additionally, it is a popular spot for musicians, artists, and performers, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of Central Park.

Recreation: Visitors to Bethesda Terrace can enjoy a range of activities, including picnicking, people-watching, and photography. The surrounding area offers beautiful views of the Central Park Lake and the nearby Ramble, making it a popular starting point for exploring the park.

Renovations: Over the years, Bethesda Terrace has undergone several renovations and restorations to maintain its historic beauty and structural integrity. These efforts have helped preserve this beloved landmark for future generations to enjoy.

Literary and Pop Culture Connections: Bethesda Terrace has appeared in numerous literary works, including E.L. Doctorow's novel "Ragtime," where it is featured prominently. Additionally, the terrace has been featured in popular films such as "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" and in the music video for Simon & Garfunkel's song "Feelin' Groovy (The 59th Street Bridge Song)."

Performances and Events: Bethesda Terrace often hosts a variety of cultural events and performances. Musicians, dancers, and other artists frequently use the terrace as a stage for their acts. The terrace's acoustics, especially beneath the Arcade, make it an attractive venue for impromptu performances.

Central Park Lake: The Bethesda Terrace overlooks the Central Park Lake, which is a popular spot for recreational activities such as rowboating. Visitors can rent rowboats and enjoy a leisurely paddle on the lake while taking in the scenic views.

The Ramble: Located just to the east of Bethesda Terrace is a section of Central Park known as The Ramble. This densely wooded area features winding pathways, rustic bridges, and abundant wildlife. It provides a striking contrast to the formal design of the terrace and is a popular destination for birdwatching and nature enthusiasts.

Central Park Conservancy: The Central Park Conservancy is a non-profit organization responsible for the care, maintenance, and preservation of Central Park's historic features, including Bethesda Terrace. Their efforts ensure that this iconic landmark remains in excellent condition for the enjoyment of all visitors.

Accessibility: Bethesda Terrace is easily accessible by various means of transportation. Visitors can enter Central Park from various points, including subway stations at Columbus Circle and 72nd Street, and then make their way to the terrace on foot.

Overall, Bethesda Terrace in Central Park is not only a testament to the park's rich history and artistic design but also a vibrant hub of cultural and recreational activity in the heart of New York City. Whether you're interested in architecture, art, music, or simply enjoying the outdoors, a visit to Bethesda Terrace is a must when exploring Central Park.

In summary, Bethesda Terrace is a beautifully designed and historically significant architectural feature within Central Park. It offers a tranquil and picturesque setting for visitors to relax, appreciate art and architecture, and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of this urban oasis.

Bethesda Terrace  Read more

[magnetictapedatastorage]

i was completely alone in 72nd street station for a while and i think that that shit has to be the most liminal space of all time. there is Nothing in there. it also goes on forever. it was pretty much clean. every 5 minutes or so there was a gust of wind, an almighty screech, and absolutely no train.

[wanderingnewyork]

Windows on #East_72nd_Street, #Manhattan.

[the-paris-of-people]

Blue Brownies and Finding Nemo, Part 4: BOTL

Summary:

“So how did you do it then? How did you forgive your mom?”

“I didn’t,” Annabeth shakes her head. “I don’t think I ever will. I just have to hope that I’m better for my future family.” 

Percy cocks his head, his eyes light with wonder. “You think about that stuff?” 

A chapter post-BOTL where Percy and Annabeth finally get to go on that movie date, featuring Rachel Elizabeth Dare angst, complex feelings towards Frederick Chase, fantasies of future Percabeth, and as it turns out, no movie at all?

Tagging: @yojeannie@angelthearsonist@m-cliffords-not-real-wife@that-chick-103@queerynotfound@thefabulousfab-3@montygreen@moonlightredfern @flamingbisexual08

Read on AO3

The person in the mirror at the back of the Delphi Strawberry Service van is a stranger to Annabeth.

Inside, she feels like she’s fought a million battles.  The constant cycle of pouring over Daedulus’ laptop and crying herself to sleep has stretched her thin. Her hair has withered away from the stress of almost losing Percy, then actually losing Luke. The person she sees now looks like the face that launched a thousand ships. Silena had ambushed her outside the Athena cabin, covered the bags under her eyes with a magical shade-match foundation, and woven her hair with golden thread, just like she had it on Circe’s island. 

“Trust me, I’ve seen the way he looks at you.” Silena reassured after charming Annabeth to vent to her about her date with Percy. She tapped her brush against her compact mirror and swirled it across her cheeks as she continued to comfort her, “There’s no need to worry about this Rachel girl.” 

She wasn’t sure about that. She saw the way Percy’s eyes flitted towards Rachel in the Labyrinth, the way they spoke to each other with ease, nothing like the way she and Percy interacted. Yes, she and Percy had gone to the 4th of July fireworks this summer, but she’d also tried to tell him how she felt about him before he left for camp and… nothing. Annabeth had felt so stupid. For reasons including and not about Rachel at all, she was holding onto this movie date like it would be their last.

“Annabeth,” Percy flusters when he sees her hop out of the van on the corner of 72nd street. He’s wearing his nicest green jacket, blushing so red he nearly looks like one of Apollo’s cattles. “You-you look nice,” He finally manages after struggling through his words like he was reading Lord of the Flies in English.

“Thank you,” Annabeth tucks a strand of her braids behind her ear. She notices the shift in Percy’s expression. He knows something is wrong. Normally she would flick a smile his way and tease, but she’s so worn out by the nightmares about Luke and Kronos that she can’t even summon her pride to be vain about her looks. “So, are we going to see this steel man movie or not?”

Percy opens his mouth to correct her, then shakes his head and opens the door for her. 

“Do you want any popcorn or something?” Percy gestures to the snack bar. “Tyson and I used to get a giant tub and share it with my mom. They make it pretty buttery here.”

“No need,” Annabeth smirks and opens the purse Silena gave her. “I have everything we need.”

“I’m confused,” Percy studies the empty lining of Annabeth’s purse. “Is this some kind of Mary Poppins situation?”

“Covered the snacks with the invisibility cap,” Annabeth zips up the bag and slugs it over her shoulder as she heads towards the escalator to the theater. “It’s not just useful for sneaking up on monsters. Plus I snuck some extra M and Ms in the cargo pants pockets.”

“And somehow Mrs. O’Leary didn’t follow you from camp?” Percy asks as they both climb onto the escalator, impressed.

“I fed her some blue gummies before I left.”

“Hellhounds can eat blue gummies? And those giant boar things hate egg salad? Seriously, why doesn’t Chiron just host courses on random picnic foods for monsters before each quest. Then I could get out of archery practice.” 

‘Hey, you’re almost getting better,” Annabeth punches him lightly in the shoulder. “Last time you almost hit the target.” 

“Haha, very funny,” Percy rolls his eyes, even though he knows it’s true. He’s as bad at archery as Annabeth is at gardening with the Demeter cabin. “Now come on. I want to show you something.” 

Electricity sparks through Annabeth’s veins as Percy takes her wrist and leads her down a regal hallway. The hum from her heart is so loud it nearly drowns out her observations as she hurries past the red velvet carpet and black, marble Grecian pillars. She would have to make a note of that later when they were walking back from the theater. With Percy’s fierce urgency, Annabeth expects Percy to be leading towards some kind of secret tomb with rubies and emeralds, but instead, he takes her to a plaque outside the last theatre in the hall. 

“These are what I was telling you about. Each of these theaters is designed after a movie palace from the twenties, a lot of them are still all around New York, decorated in a different architectural style. This one is from-” 

“Art Deco!” Annabeth exclaims gleefully. She marvels at the style of the theater in the photo. “See? You can tell by the horizontal design elements on the marquee and doorways, alluding to Streamline Moderne style.” 

“Horizontal elements? Because being vertical was too old school for the modern style?” 

“Actually, you’re not too far off, Seaweed Brain,” Annabeth rolls her eyes, but a hint of a smile plays at the corner of her lips. “Horizontal lines gave an impression of sleekness and modernity in the 1930s, which I assume is when the original theater was built. See?” Annabeth turns back and skims through the plaque first, absorbing the most important ideas and key words. Then she rereads through it again, more slowly, imagining the construction of the arch and statues… 

“How do you do that?” Percy asks, breaking her concentration for a moment. She quickly refocuses back on the photo of the theater, picking out structural details of the facade that were expanded upon in her reading. 

“Do what?” 

“I can barely spell my own name and you can speed read that entire passage in like, five seconds.” 

“I can barely spell my own name too. I don’t know… being dyslexic, I just got my hands on whatever I could read when I was younger. My dad’s old house had a giant library when I was little, so I tried to read everything in there, and then when I got to camp, I had a lot of free time on my hands in the winter,” Annabeth turns back to Percy, and that’s when she notices how his eyes lay across hers, soft and full of wonder. She remembers how he pulled her in in the Athena cabin, when she had him all to herself at the beginning of the summer, before everything turned sour, how she tasted the sweet, salty taste of his lips even after it had been days since they had entered the Labyrinth. Suddenly, heightened nerves arrest Annabeth. Her heart rate quickens as she speeds through her explanation, doubting Percy notices the uncharacteristic tremble in her voice. “Chiron gave me a book on the Parthenon when I was 9, and then I just couldn’t stop reading, even though it’s still hard for me.” 

“That’s really cool,” Percy’s voice is steeped in awe. It’s the same tone he used when Rachel had gotten them that car in New Mexico, and Annabeth can’t help but to feel proud of herself. “You know, I don’t know if I could ever become good at something that’s that challenging to me.” 

Annabeth frowns. Sometimes Percy was so self-deprecating, it frustrated her. He was totally unaware of his own strengths. “Please, remember when you first started sword-fighting?”   

“Hey, I thought you said I wasn’t bad.” 

“You weren’t,” Annabeth remembers with a glint in her eye. “But you’re even better now.”

“But I didn’t even train that much, I just accidentally kind of… got better as I fought.” 

“Percy,” Annabeth sighs, bowing her head in exasperation. “You’re a talented guy, but you can’t take a compliment to save your life.” 

“Is that supposed to be a compliment? Because I honestly can’t tell.” Percy replies back dryly. 

Annabeth scoffs, but they’ve known each other for so long she and Percy both know it’s free of malice. They both know this is one of the moments in the script they tease each other, but underneath all eye rolls and barbs is a deep understanding and respect of the other. They hold each other’s gaze and both wordlessly break out into smiles, realizing they’ve fallen back into their usual routine after a summer that threw a wrench in everyone’s schedule. Annabeth’s skin buzzes with excitement. She has a glimmer of hope that maybe this is a date, whether Seaweed Brain realized it or not. Yes, this was how they typically interacted, but there was something different in the way they spoke to each other as well, something she saw in Beckendorf and Silena interactions, new sweetness balancing out the usual sour tang.

“You know, it’s a compliment, Seaweed Brain. So just take it and acknowledge you’re a talented guy. Now come on, I want to read the other plaques before the previews start,” She leads the way towards the next plaque even though she’s never been to the theater and has no idea where she’s going, Percy groaning as he trails behind. 

“All the plaques?” Percy questions, his blonde curls rattling as he shakes his head. “I swear, you and Rachel are just like each other. She wanted to read all the plaques when she came here too.”

Annabeth freezes in her tracks like snowboots caught in old snow. She turns to Percy slowly, her face crumpled. 

“You’ve been here with Rachel before?” 

Percy flinches a little at her tone: demanding, hurt, seething with rage. Still, he remains oblivious as he answers her question,

“Yeah, a couple times. She invited me to see a Matrix movie marathon a few weeks ago.”

He came here with Rachel multiple times since he came back from camp. Since he had come back from camp, he’d been hanging out with her, even though he’d asked Annabeth on a date months ago, even though he comforted her and let her hold his hand in the dark and shared his blanket with her as they watched the fireworks. 

“Annabeth?” Percy’s voice is drenched in worry at Annabeth’s non-reaction. “Annabeth? Are you okay?”

“Excuse me,” Annabeth says quietly as she rushes towards the sign for the bathroom. She claims the unisex stall and hunches over the sink. For the first time that day, she finally sees the withered little girl she feels inside. 

The tears come not as an eruption, but as a quiet trickle of disappointment in herself and everything her life had turned out to be. She wanted catharsis and a good cry, and yet, still she’s disappointed herself on that front. 

She had no right to be angry and rude. Rachel was as talented as a child of Athena, as brave as a certain son of Poseidon, and as pretty as a daughter of Aphrodite. She glowed in the darkness of the Labyrinth and even as a statue in the middle of Times Square. She was smart and knowledgeable about art and Annabeth could’ve spoken with her about Jacque-Louis David for hours and hours. She could see why Percy liked her. 

So why did it hurt so much that another person she loved left her for someone else, once again?  

As Annabeth wipes her tears with the pack of tissues she’s stored under her invisibility cap, a sheepish knock taps at the door. 

“Annabeth? Can I come in?” 

“Yeah, that’s fine,” Annabeth calls with a slight bite to her voice. She brushes her tears off her face again, thankful for the magical smudge-free makeup of the Aphrodite cabin, for once. 

The door creaks as an apprehensive Percy walks over and stands next to her over the sink. She averts her eyes down, knowing she’ll start to cry more if she meets his eyes. 

“Hey, I’m sorry. Did I do something wrong?”

The softness of his apology splits Annabeth once again, and she feels guilty all over again for feeling so uncontrollably possessive and jealous over someone who was never hers. 

“No,” She shakes her head, still fixated at the white marble of the sink. “No, you did nothing wrong.” 

“Oh, okay, then uhhhh, do you want to check out the other plaques? I think we still have some time before the previews to read a couple more.” 

“Can we just go to the park?” Annabeth sniffles, finally turning back to Percy. “Riverside?” 

Percy winces as he watches her dab away at the last of her tears. He knows Percy expected her to ask to go to MET or the Morgan Library. She’s never told him, but being by the water is special for her, too. “Yeah, sure, of course.” 

****

The kiss of summer sunshine brightens the scent of the grass so much, it almost smells like Camp Half Blood strawberry fields. The walkway winds around gated playgrounds, filled with children swinging their arms across the monkey bars as their parents lean against each other on a chipped park bench and watch them from afar. The Hudson glitters like the mischievous twinkle in Percy’s eyes, deep blue with flecks of silver and gold, and the thought of it makes her blush, realizing she’s thinking this while she’s standing right next to Percy. She’s thankful all over again for Silena’s makeup, causing her to wonder if she should start wearing blush more around him. 

She and Percy match each other’s long, slow strides, the air between them thick with tension of all the things left unsaid, then thinned out again with the comfort and ease that’s existed between them for years. Annabeth looks back out onto the water and thinks about the stories her dad regaled her with before her stepmother came into the picture. Every so often, he would tell Annabeth how she came to be the most precious gift in his life, how he met the most beautiful, intelligent woman while studying at a magical place called Harvard, how they used to study together at Reading Room on the top floor, with paneled rooftop windows that ushered light that fell onto their faces. They talked in the library for hours, and when they needed a break, walked along Cambridge Harbor with ice cream cones that spilled onto their hands in a sticky mess. Whenever Annabeth was by a body of water, she thought of them happily together all those years ago, then of an alternate reality where they stayed together and the three of them were walking together, too. 

If you loved each other so much, why isn’t she here with us? Annabeth had asked once, and her father’s face crumbled like a wrecking ball taken to a safehouse. Even though she grew older, and logically, she knew her mother couldn’t be with them, she couldn’t help but feel angry and sad that she never tried. Even though Annabeth and her step-family got along now, she couldn’t help feeling like she did before she ran away. If she couldn’t have her mom, why couldn’t she have her dad all to herself, instead of having to share his scattered brain with three other people?

“Hey,” Percy nudges her arm as Annnabeth descends further and further into her imaginary fantasy. “Thinking about your dad?” 

Annabeth realizes she’s subconsciously touching her dad’s ring and drops her hand. She wonders how much she should tell Percy, how ridiculous it seems, but she stares back at him and knows he would understand her. 

“You know why I wanted to come here?” She twists the ring in between her thumb and index finger and stares back out at Hoboken, across the river. “The summer my parents met, they used to take walks together by the Charles River. The way my dad talks about it…” Annabeth’s eyes get misty again, but she wills herself to push them away. “I can tell he really loved her. And sometimes when I walk along a body of water, I imagine that they’re still together and we’re a family. I know, it’s stupid.” 

“No, it’s not stupid.” Percy reassures, with that sweet, genuine tone he uses to comfort her. He pauses for a moment then admits, “Actually, I uh, saw your vision at Siren Bay. I just didn’t bring it up because well,” Percy scratches the back of his head. “I think about my parents getting back together too.” 

“Really?” Annabeth had discussed with her siblings how much they hated having one parent around, but she’d never felt secure enough to broach the topic of wanting her family back together.

“Yeah. I was actually just thinking about them now, even though we’re not in Montauk,” Percy flicks his eyes down for a moment, then towards the kids on the playground. “Did I tell you though that Paul wants to propose to my mom? He told me at my birthday party a few days ago, before my dad showed up.”

Annabeth is taken back. She knew about Poseidon showing up, but not Paul Blofis proposing. “How do you feel about that?” 

“I’m happy,” Percy sounds upbeat, but she senses his voice falter, just the tiniest bit. That was Percy, always trying to accommodate everyone without thinking of himself. “I mean my mom was miserable for so long with Gabe. She deserves to be happy..” 

“Dude,” Annabeth scolds, softly enough to coax him into admission. 

“And….” Percy hesitates, because he can’t say a bad thing about anyone he cares about, even if it’s devouring him alive. “It does make me a little sad too, and I’m angry at my Dad for not getting it together and being with us too.” 

“I know the feeling,” Annabeth murmurs. A gust of wind blows and whips her braids across her hair.

“So how did you do it then? How did you forgive your mom?”

“I didn’t,” Annabeth shakes her head. “I don’t think I ever will. I just have to hope that I’m better for my future family.” 

Percy cocks his head, his eyes light with wonder. “You think about that stuff?” 

“Sometimes,” Annabeth flushes hot. She’s never admitted that to anyone, because it’s embarrassing and illogical and stupid. She knows the rules of their world, but she can’t help but dream. “I know demigods don’t live past 16, but sometimes I picture myself as  a famous architect, maybe a professor giving lectures across the world, and sometimes… I imagine myself with a family, too.” 

Percy purses his lips together and thinks to himself for a moment. “You know, I’ve never thought about it too much before, but a family would be nice.” 

And there he is, holding his gaze with hers again. Annabeth swallows and begins to fidget furiously with her fingers. A building can only be supported with a solid foundation, she realizes, and she never imagined herself with a family until she met Percy. Her heart leaps as she watches the golden light trickle through the tree branches and onto his cheeks. The way he stood was so easy, so relaxed, he slouched without thinking and his fingers always curled casually at the ends, like he didn’t think about what to do with his hands. Annabeth was deliberate in every movement, she overthought everything, and he just.. was. Even when it hurt to be around him, it was easy to be around him. 

“Listen,” Percy breaks the silence with a hoarse whisper. “I’m sorry about Rachel.” 

Annabeth stiffens at the mention of her name.

“Whatever.” 

“Okay,” Percy says slowly. “Well it seems like you really don’t like it when I hang out with her, and I don’t know why.”

He really did have a thick skull.

“No seriously, I don’t care.” Annabeth crosses her arms. “You can hang out with whoever you want.” 

“Well, okay then,” Percy dismisses, annoyed, before turning sincere again. “I just… I know things have been weird between us this past summer, and I just don’t want to be so distant from you.” 

It really was hard to stay mad at him when he was so sweet, even when he was being an obtuse idiot.

“Well, unfortunately you’re stuck with me,” Annabeth brushes him off with a sarcastic comment to avoid the skip in her heart. “If we go down, we’re going down together, remember?” 

“Okay,” A slow smile curls across Percy’s mouth, and the sunshine lit behind him makes it look like a halo with his smile and golden curls.“Good to know you’re still in on that.” 

“Always,” Annabeth says with an eye roll, but she casts one last look at him in the light before turning to pretend to look at the river again instead of his handsome eyes. She curls her hands into fists to suppress the urge to reach out and hold his hand.

“On that note, let’s go get some ice cream,” He leads the way before Annabeth can object. “I’m buying.”

[random-brushstrokes]

Louis Comfort Tiffany - A Corner of the 72nd Street Studio (1896)

This painting reveals an intriguing view of the studio that Louis Comfort Tiffany designed for his family’s lavish home in New York. An awestruck visitor described a “room so enormous it seemed … immeasurable. Colored lustres shed a soft, flowerlike light through the gloom… . A black fireplace in the middle of the room had four colossal hearths … [and] the chimney went up and up forever.” At the lower left, the artist’s wife, Louise, sits before one of the hearths, whose light appears almost to engulf her. (source)