I went to the café tonight. Across the room, a man sat alone with a pot of tea and a glass of water. He had no book, no phone, no newspaper, and a direct view of the door. He sat quietly and patiently and looked toward the entrance with a steady look in his eyes. It was ten to 9; he must be waiting for someone, I thought.
Nine came and went. He remained alone, quiet, looking — not watching, looking. Every so often I'd glance up and he was still doing the same thing, as though waiting for something without knowing what it was. He didn't look miserable, but his face was slightly melancholy.
So now is the part where you get to guess what happened next!
Was it...
Or is this what happened?
I report, you decide.
Nine came and went. He remained alone, quiet, looking — not watching, looking. Every so often I'd glance up and he was still doing the same thing, as though waiting for something without knowing what it was. He didn't look miserable, but his face was slightly melancholy.
So now is the part where you get to guess what happened next!
Was it...
I don't know what came over me, but I walked over to his table. "Hello," I said. "Are you waiting for someone?" (SO NOSY.)
The man looked surprised. "No," he replied.
"Are you all right?" I said.
"Yeah," he said. "I'm okay."
So I smiled and wished him a good evening. Then I trudged back to my table and felt like a royal jerk. He continued to sit and stare alone, and I returned to stringing words together.
Or is this what happened?
The minutes ticked by. He removed his sweater, got up for some water, and put the sweater back on. Finally, at 9:13, his eyes focused and brightened. I followed his gaze toward the entrance, where a shortish woman in a corduroy skirt and wool jacket was dragging a suitcase behind her. Their eyes met; the world disappeared around them. When she reached his table, she cupped his face in her hand and kissed his forehead.
I report, you decide.
Labels: strangers
I think you wouldn't have posted it unless it was #1... but i'm very curious. :)
and... you don't know me but I've been reading your blog for years. I'm de-lurking because curiosity has gotten the best of me - loved the unique spin on this post!
I say #2. #1 is what I think most people would like to do, but I think most people generally sit back and watch what unfolds as opposed to actively getting involved. But, since I don't know youpersonally, maybe you're more the involved type?
Hi! Thanks for the de-lurk.
So far, almost everyone has guessed #1 — and they've been right. He was at the cafe again the next night, too. Same thing going on.
Urban alienation fascinates me, and there have been times when I've felt alone despite being surrounded by people. So I am trying to say hi to people, just in case they are having that kind of day.
Monday was also the anniversary of a decision I'd made a while back, and I kept wondering how different things might have turned out if I'd gone the other way.
Back to your regularly scheduled programming as soon as I dig my way out from a pile of busy-ness.
Did Ryan Gosling and Kate Moennig end up delivering the bucket of kittens?
Why do you think I've been so remiss in posting this week?