This story is part of a chapter from my book. It recounts a sweet moment during a time when I wasn't getting along with Erik, who was more of a friend but sort of my boyfriend. In this story, I meet a random man in an arcade, lie to him about being stood up by a blind date and he steps in as my date for the night. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed living and reliving the moment while writing it.In December of 1992, I found myself in the heart of New York City, a place brimming with holiday magic and bustling energy. Amidst the bright lights of Times Square, I was on my own, in my own personal Winter Wonderland. While playing pinball at the Playland Arcade, an older gentleman kept coming over to watch me play and try to converse. I had no clients for the night and wasn’t interested in hanging out at bars or doing any sort of "work," so I told him I was there for a blind date who never showed.
I had seen this man around the village a few times. My crackhead friend Tim had even smooched at him once as we passed by him on the street. While he wasn’t the best-looking guy in the village, he was attractive and seemed nice. He asked what my date and I were supposed to do, and I told him we were meeting at McDonald's and then heading to the Loew’s movie theater to watch "Home Alone 2." I don’t know what possessed me to share a bit of the story about seeing the first movie with my mom during a time when we weren’t getting along well, but he listened.
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| Though not exactly, AI got pretty close to my date. |
Since my date missed out on the company of a nice guy, he offered to take me to see the movie instead. Maybe this was a sign. Maybe it was my duty to make Tim's wrong my right for the night. I had no intention of being disrespectful to this man. Perhaps he was the one that Biscuit and Shane told me to look out for as an unexpected "Sugar Daddy." But here I was, picked up by a sort of random man in a video arcade that I’d seen around the city, and he was treating me as if we were on a proper date, not just dumped.
Let me just say for the record, there was no blind date—it was something I made up because I thought it sounded good. So this gentleman not only held my hand and led me to the movie theater, but he also bought us tickets to see "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" at the Lowes theater, along with two tubs of popcorn, a huge Sprite for me, and a Diet Coke for himself. I was on an unexpected date with a man who took pity on me and stepped in as my fake date’s understudy to my actual, not-really, fake date.
Years ago, while watching the first "Home Alone" movie, I never would have imagined there would be a second or that it would be set in the city I now call home. Not with my mom or even TK, who I felt was embarrassed to be seen with me, but with a sweet man who treated me as a proper date. Despite my initial disinterest in his company, thinking he would try to pull some funny business, we ended up having a pleasant time together. It was unexpected, and I think the hand-holding on the way to the theater was a sweet touch. I’m not sure if it was to give me the full effect of an actual date or if he was just affectionate with anyone.
When the movie began, he settled comfortably in his seat, watching the screen intently. As the film progressed, I found myself leaning my head on his shoulder. Surprisingly, he didn’t pull away or seem uncomfortable. Instead, he seemed to welcome the gesture, snuggling just a little closer. It felt unexpectedly sweet and genuine, almost as if he enjoyed the simple act of closeness as much as I did. His warmth and patience made me feel safe and cared for, turning what could have been an awkward situation into a comforting and memorable experience.
"Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" follows the misadventures of Kevin McCallister as he finds himself stranded in New York City during Christmas. The film captures the spirit of the city beautifully, with iconic landmarks and festive decorations setting the perfect backdrop for Kevin's escapades. Watching the movie while being in the very city it was set in made the experience all the more magical for me. It felt as if I was wandering the same streets alongside Kevin, sharing in his wonder and excitement. The film itself was a delightful blend of comedy and heartwarming moments, with Kevin once again outsmarting the bumbling burglars, Harry and Marv. Macaulay Culkin's performance was as charming as ever, and the addition of Tim Curry and Rob Schneider added an extra layer of humor to the film.
As I watched, I couldn't help but think back to when I saw the first "Home Alone" movie in Pensacola with my mom shortly after its release. The memory of that special time, filled with laughter and joy, added an extra layer of nostalgia to my experience in New York. After the movie, the man took me to a place that served pancakes bigger than your head, around the corner from the Townhouse Bar. We enjoyed our pancakes, which we could barely finish, laughing and talking about where we were from. He was really interested in where I was from because my accent, at the time, had become a hybrid of Southern, mid-Atlantic, and a bit of New York thrown in. The whole experience was surreal, almost like living in a movie myself. Here I was with this strange man, showing me kindness just as Kevin and the bird lady found friendship within the city by chance. They were both exactly what each other needed at the time.
"Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" is a sequel that truly stands on its own, capturing the essence of the holiday season while delivering plenty of laughs and touching scenes. The movie beautifully showcases the magic of New York City during Christmas, from the grand tree at Rockefeller Center to the bustling stores. It highlights the importance of finding others to share the joy of the holiday season, even amidst chaos.
Though I never saw the man who stepped in as the alternate to my fake date again, I often think of his kindness and hope he found someone to appreciate him the way he deserved. To this day, I look back on that night with a smile. The combination of being in New York City, watching a movie set in the same place, and the festive atmosphere made it an unforgettable experience. For a few hours, though I was really just a kid, I felt like a kid again, filled with wonder and excitement.
"Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" remains one of my favorite Christmas movies, not just for its entertainment value, but for the cherished memory it created during my time in the city. It was a brief respite from the complexities of my life at the time, and the film, intertwined with that personal memory, has a special place in my heart.
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