New York Groove / Ace Frehley

Chapter Six

February 8, 1977

Virginia's POV

I sighed as I put my red and black jacket back on. I was the last one to leave the restaurant. I glanced at the clock in the kitchen before I shut off the lights. 11:47 p.m. I groaned as I re-positioned on my shoulder, my canvas bag from the record shop that I took to hold my work clothes. I shut off the lights and opened the back door, locking it behind me. I walked down the cold metal steps of the fire escape to the end of the street. The Yankee stadium lights were still on, a screen playing a loop of the starting team roster. I groaned as I headed down the sidewalk, towards the Bronx to try and catch a cab. It was near impossible at this hour and in a neighborhood like this.

"Hey," a guy commented as I walked by. I glanced at him open the side of his jacket, showing a few bags, nothing I was interested in. Probably a crackhead selling bath salts.

I walked on, reaching a particularly dark area of the Bronx. The street lights on this street had been out for a while. The moonlight reflected off of the snow.

My observation was interrupted by a gang of kids running by, one running into my shoulder. I was too tired to deal with it.

Ace's POV

I glanced out the window of my cab. I was almost home, just a few more blocks. I sighed, rubbing my hands together. Although I was in a car, I was still freezing. Must've been in the negatives tonight.

Something caught my eye as the cab driver turned the corner.

"Hey, hey, stop will ya?" I asked, perking up as I knocked on the window that separated the front and back seat.

He stopped and I looked out of my window. Was that Virginia? Walking around a shitty neighborhood at midnight?

I rolled down my window, "Hey!" I shouted. Maybe not my best approach. She jumped a little at that and began walking faster down the sidewalk, stuffing her hands in her jacket pockets.

I quickly hopped out, letting the cab driver know to stay there. I walked down the sidewalk, trying to catch up with her.

Virginia's POV

This is how I die.

Ace's POV

"Virginia, right?" I asked and she stopped, turning on her heel to face me. Her teeth were chattering but they stopped when she opened her mouth to speak.

"Oh, hey! I didn't expect to see anyone I knew this late, or at all," she chuckled tiredly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Yeah, whatcha doin' this late in the cold?" I questioned.

"Walking home from work," She shrugged answering.

"You don't wanna catch a cab?" I asked, "Its freezing out here."

"It's hard to catch one this late."

"Well how about you take mine home? I could ride with you if you want," I suggested. Maybe the going with her was a little too much.

"I'd like that, but how can I be sure you're not gonna kidnap me?" She chuckled. "I don't even know your name."

"Daniel," I answered, reaching out my hand to shake. While it wasn't my first name, it was my name. I guess its not lying.

She shook my hand, "Nice to meet ya...again," she chuckled.

She quickly made her way to the cab. I followed, resting my hand on her shoulder. I opened the door for her.

"Thanks," she nodded, crawling inside.

I went around to the other side, sitting down. "Change of plans, man." I mentioned to the cab driver.

She gave him her street name. It was all the way on the edge of Manhattan.

"You've gotta be kidding me," I laugh, "You make this walk every night?"

She nodded, taking off her jacket and draping it over her, curling up in her seat.

"How so?" I ask.

"I work over here when I'm not in the record shop," She answered, "I live with some distant family and my cousin owns a place over there." she motioned behind the car, the way from which she came and I nodded.

"You know," She paused, and I faced her, "You don't usually see people twice around here." This was true, if you met someone in a store or something, you often didn't ever see them again in such a big city.

"I think its a simple coincidence," I shrugged, "You cold?" I asked, motioning to her jacket acting as a blanket.

"Yeah, but I'll warm up soon," she answered.

"But anyway, did you order those concert tickets?" I asked.

"Yeah, front row," a smiled crept onto her face.

"Awesome," I nodded. Now it might be a little easier to pick her out so the roadies could give her a pass.

"Mhm," she answered and I looked back over to her. Her eyes were closed and she seemed tired.

I looked out of the window, glancing at where we were at on our way.

"Hey," I whispered, knocking on the glass to talk to the driver. "About how much longer til we get there?"

"Maybe twenty more minutes," he answered. Maybe that'll give her some time to sleep.