Page 56 of The Incredible Kindness of Paper

Oliver

Oliver paused in front of Rockefeller Center.

It was over the top with Christmas decorations: an enormous tree lit up with a rainbow of sparkling lights, wreaths, and giant ornaments and sparkling gold angels heralding the season of joy.

He thought for a second about going in, renting skates, and spending an hour or so just circling the ice.

But then he missed her, that Chloe-shaped hole in his heart aching, and he couldn’t stand to be reminded.

And so he walked on.

Three years ago

He passed right by her on the High Line, the one-and-a-half-mile-long park built on an old, elevated train line. Chloe was going south and Oliver, north. But just moments before they would have crossed paths, she turned away to look at a piece of art, so unfortunately, he did not see her.

Two years ago

She finished her meal at Constantinides Family Taverna and left only minutes before he arrived for his. Such a pity. She liked to order the spanakopita and souvlaki, too.

One year ago

They were only one aisle away from each other at the Astoria Bookshop.