Oddly existing… together.
May 16, 2011
She had long blonde hair that was tangled in waves and curls around her face; around her neck. It was covered with a red knitted cap and she wore a long “sleeping bag” coat that used to be white. She was beautiful, and had bright red lips. He was wearing a fedora with a green ribbon tied around it and a bustle of pigeon feathers, shoved into the functioning hatband. His sport coat was wool, and pink over a murky white polo shirt. A woman’s turquoise necklace topped it all, along with thick black glasses. Needless to say, they had my attention.
As we all vied for seats on the 7 train, they settled across the car from me. From underneath her coat she produced an unfinished bowl ,made from yarn, and a crochet needle. She began working on the rim, expressionless.
I got lost in the Weepies playing on my iPod. Movement from the couple caught my attention. The man appeared to be keeping a quiet rhythm with his hands and began moving his mouth across from me. Almost immediately the woman matched his words, and continued to work to the rhythm. I removed my iPod, but they were so quiet I couldn’t make out the words. For the rest of our ride he kept quiet rhythm while they silently chanted. I eventually got off the train and they continued on to FLushing, or who knows, together.
A smile crossed my face as I walked home. I felt like I had been witness to something rare. Two people, both slightly odd, who perhaps would feel out-of-place individually had found a place with each other, and were oddly existing… together.
Perhaps someday I’ll meet someone to chant with me on the 7 train.
I gushed with a large sigh after reading this. I hope I find my odd someday 🙂