It’s still dark, as I sprint from the park heading towards home to shower and change for an early appointment. As I careen across 86th Street, there’s a female in front of me who jumps as I proceed to pass.
“Sorry,” I say over my shoulder, “didn’t mean to scare ya.” In that brief instant I see she’s all of 15, her ear buds closing out the world around her. As I reach my building I think, you don’t have time for a Joan of Arc Susannah, but turn back anyway.
“Hey,” I say, smiling my best, I know I should mind my own business, smile.” She at once takes out her iPod politely paying attention to my sudden reappearance.
“Its none of my business, but…before, when I frightened you, remember?”
She nods. “Well, what if that wasn’t me? It’s dark, you’re listening to your music…you’re so young and pretty, someone could hurt you. Please take better care of yourself on your way, I’m guessing to the train. Okay?” I pause, hoping not to get sassed for my unsoliticed two cents.
She nods again, but this time with a great big smile as she obediently folds up her iPod putting it inside her purse and says, “Thank you, ma’am, I will.”
Could’a done without the ma’am part, but hey…bottom line?
If you have to be late, let it be for a kid.
SB
Good job, Susannah. And maybe she’ll spread the word to her friends. Let’s hope so.
I remember when I got my first transistor radio. I lived in the country with bad reception . In order to hear fuzzy music I had to make sure the radio’s antennae was all the way up and the radio was faced in exactly the right direction.
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That’s such a funny image, as if you could pick up cable that hadn’t been born yet. Have a lovely weekend Skinny.
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I know your motivation is only good but I wonder, if someone meant to do her damage, would the five seconds additional warning not being tuned in to music might afford her, really make any difference?
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You know Mick, it’s about awareness. She’s a kid. Sometimes they need to be told again and again. If we stop caring and not attempting to makes things better where are we then?
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Good for you for caring about people enough to warn this girl!
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Just another tale in the Naked City. You are like a sitting duck with your iPod in. And it’s New York after all, not Oregon. I wish others would get that. Getting tired Anne of defending myself. May have to turn off my comment button. Have a nice weekend, and thanks, as always.
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It doesn’t only happen in NY. It happens anywhere. Not a fan of iPods especially if you’re running/walking in a deserted area. 5 seconds of awareness may save your life!
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I so agree. The world is in its own world, if you will. Just pick up the paper and people are attacked all the time. She was like a fawn in an open field. I really, as her elder, felt the need to do what I did even if it seems nutty to some. sigh
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Of course you’re nutty! That’s why we like you! 🙂
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At least I admit it.
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Honestly, you can not hear a thing with those buds. I’m so glad you warned her. I’m sure her mother told her a million times, but her words are useless at 15. Thanks for stepping into the “cool aunt” role. Mothers across the land thank you too ❤
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That’s the mom in you talking. 🙂
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I’ve always been afraid the of the person I speak to with advice will say, “mind your own business.”
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It happens to be frequently in sorry to say. Tact is a must but sometimes one falls short.
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Sometimes, they simply want us to believe they are invulnerable – they are anything but.
Scott
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I love your concern for all those around you. Part Joan of Arc, part Florence Nightingale. 🙂
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And part crazy lady but hey, at least it makes things interesting. 🙂
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