I run out the door at 5:30 a.m. to catch the 5:40 Express to Grand Central.
55° F. Breezy. A spring day in November.
Hit me Big Man, hit me with more of this.
There, out of the corner of my right eye, it slithers. A brown snake. A full cup of spilled coffee tipped by the jarring of steel on rough track. It’s three feet away and closing in. Roots of the tree spread.
I point. He catches my eye. He shifts to the empty seat on his left as the snake veers to his right. He tips his hat, grateful.
We both watch the flow, creeping. Two men. A suit on one side with his Tumi bag, Shinola Watch and e-Reader in hand. A construction worker on the other side, with his well-worn blue jeans, a green florescent vest, steel toe boots, leather supple and well oiled. A lunch bag is tucked on top of his backpack.
He turns to his NY Post.
I turn to my e-Reader.
And my morning reader starts to pop.
Michael Wade: “I would be impressed by a college that gives credits for blue collar labor.”
NY Times: Half of New Yorkers Say They Are Barely or Not Getting By, Poll Shows
Steve Layman: You probably don’t deserve what you have. So keep moving and earn it” via Austin Kleon.
The train pulls into Grand Central. And we pour out. I approach the main terminal.
“Awwww Puppy.” I see an older dog ahead at the entrance. A golden lab mix on a leash wearing a blue vest. You look like a “Sadie.”
We approach the main entrance.
And there’s the owner at the end of the leash. NYPD Blue. Armed.
Awww, Sadie.
You’re are a bomb sniffing puppy.
NY Times: After Paris Attacks, Anxiety Returns to the Surface in New York
My seat mate, walking on my right, also catches the aha moment and turns to me. A bond established over spilled coffee.
I offer up a “have a good day.”
He turns left to the subway. I turn right to Times Square.
He lifts his arm and waves: “You too.”
Notes:
- Photo: Derek Midgley with Metro in Motion
- Related Posts: Commuting Series
Love the contrast and the shared humanity. Thanks for the train ride 🙂
Hi Catherine. Thank you.
You are one of my favorites. Keep writing!!
Awww. Thank you Catherine. Appreciate it.
Nice story Dave 🙂
Thank you.
Our sad reality…a common bond.
Yes. It is.
Nicely done.
Nicely done.
Thank you Lorraine. Happy thanksgiving.
Thanks for the smiles, David. I felt I was right there on that train. Of course, I’d need to wear warmer clothes than my Florida shorts, T-shirt and flip flops. 🙂 Have a great weekend.
Thank you!. So blessed are you to be in Florida.
I’m very grateful. 😎
It seems we all ride that train, whether we are shopping or at work or walking down the street. Well Said.
Yes. Thanks Claudia.
Ah. I love these moments spent with you on the train. Everything happens there.
Awww. Thank you Sandy.
I like to ride with you on the train and share in those everyday moments. Great writing!
Awww. Thank you Yvonne.
Appreciating these moments whether it’s seeing a snake or a puppy or feeling the sun on your face, is what keeps us alive and awake. Your book….. when it comes out, will remind us to “see” Love it.
Smiling. Thank you Karen.
love your real moments
Thank you!
The suit, the jean and the puppy. How we earn our keep, or don’t. How the reality is changing. Great writing, David, at so many levels.
So true Helen. Thank you for the kind words.
I love the little connections we make on small journeys.
Yes. Me too….thanks.
And so it goes…over and over..
So true…
This is what I’ve been missing since I’ve been out of the blog-o-sphere. Love your personal stories, David.
Awwww, thank you Vicki. I appreciate the kind words. Welcome back.
Love it! Snake, connection, puppy, terrorism – what a ride.
Thanks Val. Appreciate it.
…such a telling vignette of New York life, brought to bear on your farflung readers who get to see through new eyes something we don’t. Thank you for bringing your everyday to mine in your thoughts and words, and this visually exciting photograph.
Thank you Lance. I appreciate the kind words and thoughts.
Way to go, David!
Thanks Carolann!