If you love something, set it free...

AM New York Guy: I admit it, I am a coward. I purposely went out of my way today so that I wouldn't have to pass you. It's just that, well, I think we both know our relationship took a big step forward yesterday, and I'm just not sure how I want to proceed.

When I first started exiting on your side of the 53rd and Lexington Ave. Station, it seemed as though you were paying special attention to me, but I figured that I must have been mistaken. Still, I tried to always say "No thank you," when you attempted to hand me an AM New York. Hey, I understand it must be frustrating, after all, it's a free paper. You're giving it away for free, and people still aren't interested. Trust me, I can relate. But after a couple months, you became more brazen, walking with me, and we began our sweet little 30 seconds of flirting a day. Somedays I tried to sneak past you, in a crowd of people, but I know you always saw me, even when you didn't call out to me. Then, last week, you began whacking me with the paper, saying, "You're going to take one, take a paper."

Still, I demurred, blushing the whole time, I'm sure. Then I left the country for a few days. How to explain! I didn't want you to think I was avoiding you, actually I found being wacked with a free tabloid rather endearing. So yesterday, to celebrate my return, my heart was softened. When you said "I'm comin' to bother you, I'm comin' to bother you," what could I do but reach out and take a paper?

"Finally," you said. "Thank you."

I tried to act like it was no big deal, quickly folding the paper into my tote bag, but your effusive praise followed me past the Au Bon Pain and up the stairs.

AM New York Guy, where do we go from here? I just couldn't face you again today, so I exited out the other side. Did you see me? Did you think, gasp, I was going to take a Metro from your rival? Never, never I swear to you. Look, what we have is really special, and I don't want to mess it up. I just need to figure out what I want. Do I want to take the paper everyday? Can I go back to not taking a paper after we've taken this big step? I just need ... some time ... and space.