She smiled. “You weren’t.”
“My name is Tony. Tony Paolo. I live a few blocks away. I’m studying to be an actor. I’m in my second year at American Academy. You been there? Dustin Hoffman went there. Danny DeVito. Lots of people. I just finished a reading for a part on Broadway. A comedy, Neil Simon. This is my portfolio, you know, my pictures and stuff.” He indicated the folder. “It’s just a small part, just a few lines. But it’s a start.”
She nodded and kept walking. She didn’t have any idea at all what he was talking about.
“Look, can I buy you a cup of coffee or something? If you have some time?”
Ahead of her, Dirk had turned around and come back. Now he moved between her legs and looked up at Tony. “That your cat?” Tony asked. “Hey, kitty, kitty.”
“Keep your hands to yourself,” Dirk snapped as Tony started to reach down to pet him.
Tony straightened instantly. He stared at Willow. “Hey, that’s pretty good! How did you do that?” He grinned. “That’s the best I’ve ever heard that done. Do some more.”
“We could use something to eat,” Dirk said.
“Man, I couldn’t even see your lips move!” Tony declared in amazement. “That’s some talent! A bite to eat, huh? Okay, why not? There’s a little coffeehouse just around the corner. You know the Village? You from around here?”
He led the way through the crowds to a small shop with round tables covered with checkered oilcloth and straight-backed iron chairs with matching checkered cushions. Tony waved to someone working behind the counter and took a table near the entry. Willow and Dirk both sat down with him.
“So what do you want?” Tony asked. He had lank brown hair, dark eyes, and a quick, unassuming smile.
“You decide,” Dirk said.
Tony did, ordering food for himself and Willow and a saucer of milk for Dirk. When the food arrived, Willow found herself hungrier than she thought, and she ate everything without bothering to decide whether she liked it. Tony ate with her, talking about how good she was at throwing her voice and about his life as an actor-in-training. Dirk sat in front of the milk and ignored it.
“You know, I forgot to ask your name,” Tony said in midbite.
“Willow,” she answered.
“Really? What a great name. So, are you a ventriloquist all the time or do you have a job doing something else?”
She hesitated. What was she supposed to say?
“That’s okay, you don’t have to tell me. But you’re not an actress, I guess, right?”
“No, not an actress.”
When they were finished, Tony asked her again, “Do you live around here somewhere?”
She glanced at Dirk, who was staring out the door, ready to be off. “No, just visiting.”
“From where?”
“Landover.” She said it before she could catch herself.
“Sure, Maryland, right? I know Landover. Who are you staying with here? Do you have friends or something?”
She shook her head. “I have to go now, Tony. Thank you for the meal. I hope you become a good actor.”
She stood up and started for the door. Dirk was already outside on the walkway. “Hey, wait!” Tony called, throwing some money on the table and charging after her. He caught up with her outside. “Can I see you again, maybe?”
She shook her head and walked on, wondering how to get out of this. Tony walked with her. “I know this is kind of sudden, but … well, I really would like to take you to dinner or a play or something. Even if I have to come down to Landover …”
“She’s married,” Dirk announced. “Happily.”
Tony stopped in his tracks. “Oh. Sorry, I didn’t realize…”
They crossed the street in a clutch of traffic and left him groping for something else to say. He carefully watched their progress.
Nightfall set in shortly after, a sudden darkening of the skies as the sun set and the clouds returned, a fading of the light that brought up the city’s lamps. Willow and Dirk were seated on a bench in a park with a large marble arch. It was called Washington Square. It had been filled with people until just a few minutes ago, people with newspapers and babies, people with dogs and toys, but now with the sun gone and with the day ending it was emptying out. There were only a few old men left sitting on other benches and a handful of young boys huddled under a tree at the far end. A ragged man with a dog was holding out a metal cup by the street corner.