By: Gabriela Yareliz
I feel like there are several lists we keep running in our heads. One is the list of stuff that must get done in a series of days/weeks within the season; then, there is stuff we want to organize, workouts to get to, donations to be taken to the bins, etc.
I was reviewing my list while I was on the train weirdly sitting in a cluster with a couple mid-argument. The man and the woman were both wearing dresses and had hoop earrings. The man was explaining in a whiny voice— “I didn’t know I was so unhappy then.” The woman adjusted the navy star-shaped sunglasses on her nose and let out a breath, “Well, you try explaining that to our eleven year old.”
“I am not picking him up,” the man said annoyed.
I looked up from my Notes app trying to add an element of purposeful awkwardness. Couldn’t they argue somewhere else? Without a stranger between them? I dug around for my Kindle as a captive audience member to whatever the hell was happening.
A juggler walked in. A person with a bike followed (why is the person with the bike not using it as their mode of transport??). A man with goggles sat down near us. The couple nudged each other and united in judgment against the goggle wearer, mocking the man with mumbles and giggles. I gave them side eye— they were not ones to judge. Thirty seconds ago they were at each other’s throats with veiled threats and whines. I re-focused on my list.
I’ll be home refolding clothes in a bit. Good luck to the eleven year old.
GABRIELA YARELIZ 