Writing My Wrongs

A week ago, I was at Penn station…just passing through as I made my way to 32nd to meet up with a friend for lunch at one of the Korean BBQ restaurants that fill the 3 block radius of what’s known as Koreatown.


I wasn’t walking fast but I was walking quicker than my usual California stroll that I am sure upsets the real New Yorkers that have to walk behind me. I usually come up from the ground on the corner of 33rd and 8th Ave to walk the length of the block of Penn Station/Madison Square Garden outside rather than be huddle together making our way along underground like ants burrowing along in separate direction but with one purpose; not today.

I decided to cut across underground and come up on 7th Ave and 32nd. It’s always so crowded because what houses the 34th street stop for the A train…is also the home to the NJ Transit trains and Amtrak…way too many people in that place, not to mention the office buildings on top and MSG.
As I make my jagged path to the other side of the station…

Standing directly in front of me looking at nothing in particular…stands a man.

I looked at his side profile…and smiled. From a distance, I casually walked around to the front of him…and smiled…harder.

I walked up to him and as I am walking towards him…he finally notices me. Straight face and straight back…he see’s me; he isn’t looking at me.

My 5’5 self walked up to his 6’2 self, and I say very casually…

“I wanted to make sure that I didn’t pass up this opportunity to be a tad bit shallow…and also to let you know what I think…you sho’ is nice to look at. I…just wanted you know that someone out there smiled and recognized that you are a beautiful black man.”

He just looked at me, surely thinking that I am a bit off and knowing New York does have a few crazy people, thinking I must have lost my yellow bus group…

And then... he smiled…a huge big beautiful smile.

“Ah see, what more could I ask for, that’s all I wanted was to make you smile.” I turned to walk away and he said…
“So this is what you do, you go around letting men know that they are beautiful?”

I sort of chuckled to myself because…he’s gonna make me stand here and talk to him when lawd knows…I can barely stand to look at him…because he really is that beautiful to me.
So I’d been bold, started out bold and even silly…so there was no way I could act the shy girl now…

“Well…yes, as a matter of fact I do. If I find you attractive that is. Not just any ol’ man ya know.”

Didn’t think it was possible…but his smile this time, was brighter and he too chuckled.

“I don’t live here, my train is delayed. I am from Philly. I am a professor at Such N Such University teaching Such N Such…I am telling you this so you feel more secure about… Well, would you be open to coming to Philly one day so I can show you around?”

I paused, weighed and measure my next words…

“I am not good at long distance conversations… But yes, a guided tour around Philly and a good meal before I came home would be something I could do.”

“I knew you’d say that, you seem like the type for an adventure…and good company.”

I was 5 minutes late getting to lunch. I had to explain my tardiness…and I started it out with…
He was tall, dark and handsome with locs down the middle of his back and wire rimmed glasses and a book in his hand…after finishing my story

She said, “Bloop, I could never do that!”

“Girl, I don’t know I am going to do those things until the words are falling off my lips. He was next to perfect. If that doesn’t happen to him often, it should.”

I didn’t realize until a few gulps of cold water later and she and I looking at eachother that I was actually…anxious. We just looked at eachother and started giggling like two school girls crushin’ on the star basketball player.

*Tomorrow I’ll show you why…he’s gonna make me fall in love this summer*