Things I Saw This Week
1. I saw a man save a bird.
He was running across the street towards Central Park. He was wearing a suit and leather gloves, and holding something in his hands. He ran right up to the stone fence around the park, then carefully placed something on the ledge. What was it? A bird! A very surprised-looking little bird that he must have saved. I didn’t see where he came from or where he went, but I wondered what happened. Maybe it had flown into one of the nearby buildings or against a window. I smiled at him and he smiled back at me.
2. I saw something shiny.
It turned out to be a pretty chandelier-style earring that must have either fallen apart, or gotten pulled until its pieces scattered. I hoped that the wearer would come back and find it, though probably not, since it was in the park. I wished I had my camera, since it looked neat there. But also, I didn’t want to hang around there longer, because of something else I’d seen nearby: two teenage boys, one of whom was peeing against a tree by the park transverse.
3. I saw someone I try to avoid.
Specifically, I saw the creepy guy who may or may not have been watching me for the past several years. He often hangs out at the Tea Lounge near my house, with or without his creepy friend. He asked me for my phone number once around 5 or so years ago, despite the fact that he is probably older than my dad. I don’t go into the Tea Lounge very often, especially not when he’s there (which is frequent) I’ve seen him staring at me when I’m on my way home from the train station, and try not to make eye contact. I worry about him figuring out where I live.
Anyway, yesterday I was taking some photos around the block from my house, and someone walked right by me, saying, "hi." I started to say respond, reflexively, but then I realized who it was. The word sort of died on my lips and became a groan. But THEN, I think he took that as a sign that he could continue talking to me! I was so shocked, that even though he must have said something like, "How are we doing?" I blinked and went back to my photography. He got mad! This creep angrily pointed out that he had just said hi to me, and snapped, "Are you MUTE?!" I was so flustered that I didn’t know what to do or say. He started off down the street and then kept turning around and looking at me again.
I felt menaced- I had been standing there, minding my own business, and I had no responsibility to talk to some random person on the street. When I told my parents about it, my mom was understanding, but I was disappointed in my dad’s reaction. He’s a friendly person and he tends to give others the benefit of the doubt, so his response was to tell me that when someone says hello to you, you should say hello back. I pointed out that this was unwanted attention from someone who I intentionally avoid. I don’t know if the creep remembers the specific reason why I don’t talk or make eye contact with him, but it’s not like we know each other. I’m sure if I wasn’t alone, he would never have felt so bold. There are some people in the neighborhood that I would have no problem greeting, but this man is not one of them.
I guess I won’t be going to the Tea Lounge again anytime soon.
