I’m walking home passing Park Avenue Synagogue when I see a well dressed, 40ish, African American man leaning against the wall by the back entrance with his head in his hands.
Of course I stop.
“Are you alright sir?” I gently ask.
He flips around like a ticked-off tortilla and says,”Can’t a man just pray anymore,” shaking his head as he runs to his car parked at the curb. I watch as he peels off like Mario Andretti even running a stop sign. Wonder how God would feel about that?
No good turn goes unpunished, as they say, shaking my own head in quiet bewilderment as I walk the rest of the way home.
SB
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Only he knows what he’s going through. If you knew too, you might think his brusque reaction quite tame, given the circumstances.
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True. I didn’t mean to intrude. I thought he might be sick.
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Perhaps it’s hard to have a quiet moment in NYC!
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Maybe I should move to Pennsylvania.
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Move to Lincolnshire: sedate climate, cheap housing, good veg, friendly folk, low crime, good beer and me!
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And Lola.
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There’s more to his story than simply praying. Maybe we should give his rude actions a pass and send a few prayers his way. Never stop showing that you care, Susannah.
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Like I just wrote to Elle, I can’t seem to help myself. To borrow a line from writer Marie Brenner, I’m an Olympian listener, just with my eyes. 🙂
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It’s not often you see someone leaned up against the wall praying. My reaction would have been the same as yours Susannah. ~Elle
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I just can’t seem to help myself.
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Sounds like he was having a bad day, but still no reason to snap at you. I admire your consistent kindness.
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He just looked so distressed. I think he was. I’m like a bloodhound when it comes to that.
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There is more to this story. I know hailing a cab to follow him crossed your mind. You did the right thing in the end.
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He probably had just knocked up, or off, his girlfriend
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That was my first thought! Hahaha!
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Something was dire alright. The patter of little feet or a body in the trunk. Is there no middle ground anymore? LOL
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No…lol
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This is why no one talks to anyone in nyc lol
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If we’re smart that is, especially before 9. 🙂
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