by Ryan Headley

Created on: June 11, 2008

September 3, 2001

Lara leaned against the rail, every ounce of her conscious energy mesmerized by the body of water in front of her. An occasional inhale broke her stillness, followed by a tiny grin. A subtle touch on her shoulder broke her concentration. "Excuse me, miss." A dark complexioned man with eyes of coal stood behind her. His voice soft, almost a whisper exclaimed, "Do you, by any chance, have the time?"

"Excuse me, you don't know me. Who do you think you are?" An expression of bewilderment came over the man's face. He shook his head because he couldn't find words to respond.

Laughter burst out of Lara's mouth. "I'm just kidding, man. It's 9:30." The man gasped for air and swallowed hard, mustering a fraction of a smile. He was thrown off by what seemed to be a contradiction between this woman's soft, subdued features and her sharp, corky personality. "I'm sorry to bother you, miss."

"Hey, stop right there. I can't let you leave thinking I'm some lunatic who snaps at friendly pedestrians all day. "What's your name?"

"My name is Alan . . . I really should be going."

"You don't look like an Alan." The man began to walk away.

"That's not polite to walk away when a lady's talking to you."

The man turned around and as Lara looked up, the river pushed back on the sun's rays, beaming light into the blue crystals that engulfed Lara's iris. He took a few seconds to observe her petite frame and the light brown hair that rested neatly on her shoulders. He guessed she was 27 years of age, and oddly wondered if she got carded sometimes when ordering alcohol, if indeed she drank.
"Miss I just wanted the time."

"And I just wanted your real name, buddy."

"What?"

"Where are you from?" she fired back, ignoring his puzzled response to her accusation.

"I'm from here, New York City."

"Are you sure?"

"Am I sure?"

"Where's your family from?"

"Wait . . . is there something wrong with you?" the man asked.

Lara broke out in laughter. "Come on let's go for a walk."

"What? I don't even know you."

After a few moments of discussion the man was so drawn in by Lara's plain beauty and outgoingness that he could not refuse her offer. By 10:00 am they were walking shoulder to shoulder across Central Park.

Through the walk in the park Lara discovered that indeed Alan wasn't his real name. His real name was Alam Saheed. His family migrated to America when he was six years old. He loved his American friends, the opportunity that the country has given him, and most of all, the American culture. He asked

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