Neighbors

It feels good to be back, especially on a warm spring day. Overseas, I stayed awake till roughly 4 A.M. every night, and slept till noon. That didn't leave much room for jetlag, but I'm still off pretty early today.

Downstairs, at the entrance to the building, one of my neighbors - a tall, young girl of high school age - holds the door open for me. It quickly becomes obvious, however, that with her backpack and two shopping bags in hand, I should be the one holding the door for her.

On the corner of Bennett I run into my next door neighbor, Avraham S. and, when I arrive at the platform, I see yet another neighbor from the building. He is a single guy who's name I can't remember. Avi S. walks by and we say hello. He's not a neighbor, but his cousin (through marriage) used to be.

The Cold Draws Near

The elevator is taking too long so I head down the stairs instead. A blast of cold air punches into me as soon as I step outside. I wonder if I should have worn a hat.   They've started removing the scaffolding at 115 Bennett, so that the roof and mesh panels are gone but the frame is still intact. It looks funny.

My ears are partially frozen by the time I reach the station. Up ahead, I see my next door neighbor Avraham S. Down on the platform, I see a girl I know who's name I can't for the life of me remember. She waves and I wave back. Benny S. is also on the platform and I wave to him too.

On the train I sit next to a young girl wearing psychedelic jeans and a tie-dye sweatshirt. Her nails are painted, albeit chipped, in a bright sky blue, and she is wearing a square pink hat with a furry brim and ears. She is listened to music on a Blackberry with is covered in a pink phone condom lined with gemstones. I slip on my own headphones and fade slowly back to a drifty sleep.