Lights up on stage. Subway platform.
My dad and I sat on the bench waiting for our train behind us. Spotlight on Victoria, the lead actress. Rolling down the platform in her sleek black luggage, big plastic rimmed glasses covering half of her face, loose , straight blond hair tied back, loose strands on her face escaping from the grasp. Victoria was holding a folded up subway map on the other hand. She looked back and forth. Back and forth. Flustered.
She looked at the readily departing train and shouted at the open door into the sea of non-responsive people, "Does this go to the West Side or East Side?"
Before I could hold back, I shouted, "Times Square! That goes to Times Square." My dad looked at me funny. Oops, I hope I didn't disturb my fellow audience members around me.
Victoria caught my eye and I blushed. She heard me! She repeated, "West or East?"
I tilted my head, "Huh?"
Who knows the difference between East or West?
Silence.
The chorus of passengers turned around behind me and sang in unity, "Where are you going?"
"West side," Victoria shouted back at the chorus.
"What stop?" By now everyone was alert and attentive.
Victoria looked at me, waiting for a response. I hesitated, thinking. I slowly raised my hand, pointed behind me, and cued the passengers to go belt out, "This side!"
"Thank you," Victoria said matter-of-factually and rolled her luggage along with her to the other side of the platform. She leaned on the pillar and stared far into the darkness, awaiting for her train.
Curtain down.
What I love about this is the amount of people that was involved in helping Victoria. If only when you make the decision to be open, reach out for the support, and grabbing the hand as it reaches out for you. We're all connected. We all want to be heard. And when we see those who are seeking help, we all have the compassion in our hearts to reach out to our fellow stranger neighbor, and hold them, even if it's just for one second.
Happy Friday!
Friday, May 3, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
10. Naeem
3:00AM- Flushing, Queens, NY- I really had to use the bathroom. Almost every store was closed except for the Burger King and McDonald's. I ran inside Burger King. Closed.
"Please! I'll buy a chicken sandwich!"
The cashier shook his head, his urge to laugh masked with apologetic compassion. So, I skipped my way over to McDonald's. Closed again. Not one bathroom available in this ghostly yet soothing town during this time.
A bright red neon sign that screamed "LOTTO" caught my eye. I walked into the store. A woman was shopping and Naeem was standing on the side, arms crossed, resting on his belly.
"Excuse me sir. Is there a bathroom I may use? I'll buy something," I dramatically clasped my hands together and started jumping up and down. "Please, please, please."
"I don't have a bathroom. Come, look-" Naeem walked to the back and gestured his hands towards the alley way, full of stock, empty of any signs of a bathroom. "If I have bathroom, I give you use. But no, we go to the bathroom downstairs in the mall. If I have a bathroom, I let you use."
Naeem raised his dark eyebrows as a thought came into his head. "Ah, Burger King has a bathroom. Go to Burger King! Here, I give you money. You buy chicken sandwich for me so you can use the bathroom." He quickly went behind the counter to grab his wallet.
"No, no, it's okay-"
"Come, I give you money. You buy me a chicken sandwich."
We began dancing back and forth. I just met this man for less than 5 minutes and he wanted to give me his money to buy a chicken sandwich just so I may use the bathroom. A win-win for both of us: hungry tummy-relieved bladder. The only thing is... the bathroom was closed. I began to make my way out of the door, waving my arms proudly, lying, "Okay, I'll check the Burger King!"
Stupid, why did I lie? Why didn't I just tell him the bathroom was closed? I pointed my finger at him (how rude of me) and said, "I'll bring you back a chicken sandwich!"
Well, I didn't go back to the Lotto store that night. I met someone named Joe and we took the bus together. (As for the update on the bathroom hunt- I waited till I was home.) But now, it's a week later and it was around 12:30AM in Flushing. I saw the bright red "LOTTO" seducing me and I thought of the kind man who trusted me with his money to bring him back a chicken sandwich, just so I may use bathroom.
I had to go back to see him. And this time, I bought a chicken sandwich. (Burger King was having a buy one, get one sale on the chicken sandwiches so win-win for both of us!) I entered the store and Naeem was organizing the candy shelves. He turned to look at me with his wide brown eyes and I smiled, "Remember me? I came in last week asking to use the bathroom and you told me to go to Burger King and you would give me money to buy a chicken sandwich, just so I can use the bathroom? Well... here. I got you this."
Naeem looked at me confused. Then at the chicken sandwich. Me. Sandwich. Me. Chicken. "Oh wow... you didn't have to do this... I give you money," Naeem started to go to the back of the counter, but I stopped him.
I wanted this to be a gift from me to him. A token for his kindness in being open and willing to help a stranger out. I was touched by his authenticity and I admired his humility. Naeem is from Pakistan and he has been living in Flushing for 15 years. He works a lot, lives alone, and is single ready to mingle. Naeem is in his early 50's and occasionally misses Pakistan. He speaks Urdu. He has 2 other brothers. He won't be working much longer at the Lotto store anymore. The Lotto store owner is his friend and Naeem was just helping out.
His wispy black and hint of grey hair fell gently on the front of his face. He would carefully look at me when we chatted, fully engrossed and his hands conducting genuine elegance. As I got ready to go, Naeeem gave me his number on the back of an old lottery ticket. "If you ever need help, give me a call."
Thank you Naeem. Thank you for reinforcing my hope in humility and the close connection created among all of us that keeps us together.
So it all started when I missed the bathroom opportunity in Manhattan and carried it with me to Flushing. The catalyst was Burger King. And reaction was chicken sandwich. The result- a new friend.
Stupid, why did I lie? Why didn't I just tell him the bathroom was closed? I pointed my finger at him (how rude of me) and said, "I'll bring you back a chicken sandwich!"
Well, I didn't go back to the Lotto store that night. I met someone named Joe and we took the bus together. (As for the update on the bathroom hunt- I waited till I was home.) But now, it's a week later and it was around 12:30AM in Flushing. I saw the bright red "LOTTO" seducing me and I thought of the kind man who trusted me with his money to bring him back a chicken sandwich, just so I may use bathroom.
I had to go back to see him. And this time, I bought a chicken sandwich. (Burger King was having a buy one, get one sale on the chicken sandwiches so win-win for both of us!) I entered the store and Naeem was organizing the candy shelves. He turned to look at me with his wide brown eyes and I smiled, "Remember me? I came in last week asking to use the bathroom and you told me to go to Burger King and you would give me money to buy a chicken sandwich, just so I can use the bathroom? Well... here. I got you this."
Naeem looked at me confused. Then at the chicken sandwich. Me. Sandwich. Me. Chicken. "Oh wow... you didn't have to do this... I give you money," Naeem started to go to the back of the counter, but I stopped him.
I wanted this to be a gift from me to him. A token for his kindness in being open and willing to help a stranger out. I was touched by his authenticity and I admired his humility. Naeem is from Pakistan and he has been living in Flushing for 15 years. He works a lot, lives alone, and is single ready to mingle. Naeem is in his early 50's and occasionally misses Pakistan. He speaks Urdu. He has 2 other brothers. He won't be working much longer at the Lotto store anymore. The Lotto store owner is his friend and Naeem was just helping out.
His wispy black and hint of grey hair fell gently on the front of his face. He would carefully look at me when we chatted, fully engrossed and his hands conducting genuine elegance. As I got ready to go, Naeeem gave me his number on the back of an old lottery ticket. "If you ever need help, give me a call."
Thank you Naeem. Thank you for reinforcing my hope in humility and the close connection created among all of us that keeps us together.
So it all started when I missed the bathroom opportunity in Manhattan and carried it with me to Flushing. The catalyst was Burger King. And reaction was chicken sandwich. The result- a new friend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)