I’m not sure how long he was there before I noticed him, or how long after I first noticed him that he began to register in my mind. I know that he was the most nondescript person I have ever encountered. After I first became aware of him, I would not be able to tell you what he looked like ten minutes later.
At first I figured him for one of the local perverts and just muttered ‘jerk’ under my breath and ignored him as I hurried to the subway entrance a few blocks from my job. He never spoke and never came near me, only loitered nearby, close enough to make me uncomfortable but far enough away that I could not really claim he was threatening to me. Once while ordering coffee at the stand while waiting for the train, I mentioned him to a local policeman who was standing near me. He didn’t seem concerned, merely shrugged and said they were usually harmless. He then hit me with a few lame pickup lines and I decided the stranger was better company so I went back to my train.
I looked at him a bit closer after that and realized that I could not put him into an age bracket, a nationality or even say for sure what color his hair and eyes were. At times he seemed blonde, with light skin but later I would be sure that he was more swarthy and ethnic looking. His clothes were as bland as his looks, ranging from Dockers to casual jeans, nice enough to not look like a bum, but hardly noticeable in this day of neon bike clothes and slouched jeans.
By the third month since my friend (as I now thought of him for some reason) had made his appearance, I was completely comfortable with his presence. I still had not and would never have spoken to him, he seemed somehow unapproachable, for all his unthreatening appearance. And so we peacefully co-existed until that day in May when I finally met my stranger.
I had left work late and was harried and fumbling, too tired for the ride home, but with no other choice than to wait for the train. The station was full, of course, since I was running late but I shuffled and twisted and worked my way to the front, hoping against hope for a seat. My mind was on everything except my strange friend as I reached the very front of the waiting crowd. Just as I saw the train coming into the tunnel, I dropped my purse and leaned forward to grab it, just as I was jostled from behind. As if in slow motion I felt myself beginning to fall onto the tracks. I realized in those seconds that I could not stop myself from falling in front of the rushing train and time stopped for me. Suddenly I felt strong arms from behind and I felt myself being lifted up and away from the edge of the platform. Somehow I knew before I opened my eyes that it would be the strange friend holding me, safe from harm. I was aware of people around us, exclaiming on how close I came to death and how quick he was to grab me. I had not even been aware for once that he was near.
Sitting me on my feet, my rescuer smile into my eyes and tipped his hat. Hat? I had never seen a hat on him before and wasn’t sure I had ever seen anyone tip a hat before. I had so many questions to ask him but by the time I caught my breath and took my purse, which he had somehow caught also, he was gone. On shaky legs I walked to the coffee stand and bought a cup of tea, sitting and calming myself before catching the next train. I was sure I would be able to thank him the next day, no longer afraid to approach him.
I looked for him for months, but I never saw him again. He vanished the way he came and I can’t tell you now what his face looked like although I stared into it from a distance of no more than six inches. But I can say that I will never forget him. Whoever he was.
loved it a wonderfl story of course I agree with Ed angels and standing on two feet good write enjoyed it!!!
Reviewed by Scada
6/3/2002
Awwww Sue, wouldn't it be nice if we had those "friends" all the time? This made me all emotional... oh no wait, I was already emotional... *grin*. Great story.
Scada
Reviewed by Ed Lupinacci
6/3/2002
He was an angel to be sure. Watching over you until you could stand on your own 2 feet and not plunge to the subterranean depths of pain and suffering.
Very nice story
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