Chapter 47: New York
The logical criticism, is the city that never sleeps, one of the most well-known cities in the world, alongside London and Paris, with its numerous appearances in Hollywood, its towering buildings, and its places more or less familiar to the common populace, from New Year's festivities to grand advertisements, and here, is the starting point for Billy to launch his music, which will reverberate throughout the East Coast.
They arrived in winter, snow blanketing the city, the sky dark, both clad in winter attire unfit for Californian weather, with jeans, sneakers, a down jacket, and a sleeveless blue shirt for Billy. The cold was unbearable, with frozen cheeks, their city tour hindered by frozen bones.
-What a perfect day for shopping, huh? - Agustina said, her nose red, tinged by the cold. The snow soaked her hair.
-Sounds great, as long as we don't end up waiting in two-hour lines. - Billy said, stretching. Having just landed at Kennedy Airport, a terminal that didn't help much, they were lost. It was midday, awaiting transport to Brooklyn.
Jerry provided them with a car, yet the snowstorm impeded transportation; both were frozen, returning to the airport, where the cold permeated even indoors.
-I love new beginnings. Our lives will change, and I think I'll have fun getting lost in places I've yet to discover; it's almost like splitting reality and starting anew. - Agustina said.
-I heard you rented an apartment without seeing it; that's a record. - Billy said.
-It wasn't like that; the record label arranged it. It's just a stone's throw from Manhattan, where the label is located, and it's one of the best apartments around. It's close to the basketball courts—I love playing hoops—and you used to be good with the ball, maybe you'll make friends, even though you'll be studying at home. - Agustina said, delighted by the wonderful place she saw in the photos. It wasn't West Hollywood, where rent was exorbitant; part of it was covered by the label, very economical, not too costly, with some savings.
-I'll manage, although I already have friends. There's Fred, Sam, Jimmy, Connor, and Joseph. I've been with them for eight months; they supported me in times of need. We had a few fights, and well, Fred and Sam want to be my future bodyguards. Fred will attend military school with Sam, they'll join the Navy, or maybe the Green Berets. We all have dreams; Joseph wants to be a tattoo artist, and we're still in touch. Jimmy, I hope he stays on the straight path, but he's into fights and violence, what more can I say? I think he'll take up his father's workshop. And Connor, well, he'll probably try to be my drummer; he's practicing with Spencer, I think they live together. Connor's family is the worst, that's why I hope in the coming days, I can find less troublesome friends. - Billy said.
-My brothers had troublesome friends; I think it's Gonzales to be problematic and find trouble. We like wild people for a while, and we can live that life, but... when I met your father, it was so refreshing, someone who was the opposite; he just filled me with warmth. - Agustina said.
-Always circling back to father. - Billy said.
-It's your fault; you've sung so much about your father and many other things. I think he took you to a parade, one day on the 4th of July. And I can't believe you remember that day. - Agustina said, associating Billy's songs, as it was impressive how people accommodated reality to life, justifying everything that entered their ears, from crude songs, poetic ones, pessimistic, gloomy, exuberant... so many emotions in one place, which may or may not be perfect.
The emotionality of Billy's songs was almost like giving names to shadow, light, and the sky. So beautiful. Was that the creative process of artists, always sharing their emotions?
Agustina believes that the emotionality of Billy's songs not only reflects his own experiences and emotions but also serves as a mirror for those who listen to them. Music has the power to connect people through shared emotions, allowing them to find comfort, inspiration, or even identification in the lyrics and melodies.
Billy, like many artists, finds in music a way to process and express his deepest thoughts and experiences. His songs become a means to explore the complexity of life and convey messages that resonate with those who listen to them.
-I didn't remember those events. - Billy said.
-Our car has arrived, come... get ready for an afternoon of shopping. The young man can take us to downtown Manhattan, although it's better to ask for a place that's not too expensive. We can go to downtown Manhattan. - The vibrant red car, with a young man in a tie, perhaps in his twenties not much older, was well-groomed and seemed nervous, given the cold, which amused Agustina.
-Mrs. Carson, I apologize for the delay, but the cold was unbearable, - said the young man, Audrien, a kid from Queens. Irish, born to undocumented parents.
-Don't worry about it, take us to Brooklyn, 287 Cumberland St., - said Agustina, delighted at the small apartment they now called home, the first place with two bathrooms since she had that beautiful house in San Jose.
He grabbed the thick suitcases, four of them barely fitting in the trunk; Billy had a large suitcase on his lap in the back seat. Meanwhile, young Audrien regaled them with tales of the city, highlighting the best shopping spots in malls, how they could visit Dumbo's and Williamsburg, and the street markets. He also mentioned ongoing sales at places like Macy's and the rows of shops in some more budget-friendly districts.
-It's just around here, ma'am. I'll wait for you while you settle in. I'll be your guide for the next thirty days as you get accustomed to the city. And well, I'm on my probationary period. If you'd like, you can set a schedule for me. Jerry needs you at the record label tomorrow at nine in the morning, but I can come earlier if you need to shop, - Audrien said.
-You're a gem, but just for today, can you show us the nearby spot, and we'll hail a taxi from there? We'll shop and eat out, - Agustina said.
-Don't worry, ma'am. I've been hired to be your driver, 24 hours a day, even if I have to sleep in the car. Don't worry about us, - the young man replied.
-You're an angel. Well, you'll accompany us shopping while I decide what to buy. It's cold; I'm freezing to death, - Agustina said.
-I visited Ireland a few days ago, during Christmas, ma'am. The cold was dreadful. Even my grandparents prefer the fireplace to heating. In the meadows and forests, it's a different cold. I got used to it by the third night, but I can understand how the cold weather can be tough for those from warmer climates. Us Irish are born chilled, - Audrien said.
Parking the car, the shopping day began. The festive atmosphere and gift shopping lifted spirits. Christmas was a wonderful time; children dreamt of stories, and adults relaxed from work. Families shared moments, and Billy prepared for gigs at some bars and restaurants. Everything was planned; it was Christmas, but business didn't stop. Atlanta Records wanted to cash in on their new promise, the very young Radio Head, performing alongside two other alternative rock bands for their final show in Chicago, Illinois, on December 18th. Billy had already decided to perform as the opening act. Spencer, Connor, had been practicing for three months along with a bassist from the label.
A gathering of 18,000 people. They agreed, on the condition that the kid would open and perform as the opening act.
...
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
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rollo1019to Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
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