It was early rush-hour on a drizzly day, when the streets of Manhattan most resemble Tokyo.
I was in step along with my fellow New Yorkers, right and left, crossing the grid like ants in a hurry.
This was when I witnessed a young boy of color, no more than 14, take a spill on the pavement.
I watched him bounce up, a brilliant save of face since, no one at any age, let alone his, wants to be seen on their butt with stars in their eyes.
In true commuter fashion, no one stopped, pretending no one saw, except for me, who unusually hesitated, not wanting to humiliate him further, even though tripping is a human blunder we’ve all made.
However, finding myself beside him breaking my own seal, softly asked, “Are you okay?”
He looked at me like I was an alien, or an old angel in a hoodie and a raincoat.
“I think so,” he said, in a way that told me he went to a good school.
“How are your hands?” I knew he hit them pretty hard since even I heard the sharp slap saluting the sidewalk.
He held them out, like a friendly pup, so I saw how red they were, commingling with the shade of his tender skin.
“Hey, ya know what I have?” I said, digging into my tote, “Shea Butter Cream.”
I gave his hands a good squirt they drank in like rainwater, before bidding him a gentle goodbye.
“Thanks a lot,” he said, smiling, recovering quickly as only a kid can.
My only regret was not just giving him the last of the tube.
Oh well.
Angel in training. 🙂 
Women’s handbags never fail to amaze me. Maeve carries one the size of Neil Armstrong’s backpack, from which she produces the necessary and administers to all eventualities with great gusto. Felix the Cat eat your heart out!
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Mine is like that too. Even I’m surprised what’s in it. Often it’s like the Bermuda Triangle, the one thing you need, like your keys, are missing. But we do have bandaids, sunblock and mints. 🙂
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I can’t even pick Maeve’s up! Kitchen sink, zip-up scaffolding, a few surgical appliances, reference works, compendium of games, some wildlife, emergency rations and even (get this) a smaller handbag for if she loses the big one. I’m glad she doesn’t wear makeup!
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Toss in some canned goods and you’ll be prepared for the apocalypse.
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Susannah, you always know the right thing to do. I usually think of things to do or say after the fact. And I’m thinking you have a tote instead of a purse, the way you pull things out like a magic hat.
It’s always nice to come across polite young people.
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It’s an old model’s habit. A satchel when frankly a little purse would do. Of course I wouldn’t be carrying Shea Butter most likely. A staple right up there with gloss and Advil. A girl does have needs as you know Skinny.
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I have a tote that almost doubles as a suitcase. I’m addicted to my Blistex. I also have all the makeup and medical necessities, a paperback book, as well as all the regular paraphernalia. My little tube of hand cream got used up and hasn’t been replaced yet. I think they should start putting little wheels on our totes, like they do on suitcases, ha ha!
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Hand cream alert. It’s good to be prepared. Blistex…now that’s a blast from the past. 🧰💄💋
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It has to be the teal colored Blistex. I have four tubes spread around so it’s always at arms length.
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I didn’t realize they now come in attractive shades. 🙂
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The tubes are colored to denote the type. The actual Blistex is clear. I’m keeping them in business.
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I’m on the look-out. I love classic products, like Halo Shampoo and Ipana Toothpaste. 🙂
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My first thought was the voice of Monty Hall shouting “does anyone in the audience have a half used tube of shea butter?” and the vision of you dressed as Lucille Ball running to the stage to find out what is behind door number 2.
That kid will never forget your kindness.
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Funny you should say that. I loved that part of Let’s Make a Deal where he’d say…who has a hard boiled egg. Some woman from Kansas would jump up like she sat on a tack and scream…ME…ME…I HAVE ONE. as he handed her a 10 dollar bill.
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I love his reaction to your query. He is arm’s length quizzical, but you can tell he is plenty good with the interaction. I think the act felt as nourishing to him as the Shea butter. Maybe he’ll think on that angel from time to time, and maybe . . .
2039:
“You alright son?”
“Yeah . . . I think so . .”
“Lemme see your hands . . . ooooh! Come in the house, I have something for you,”
Dad proceeds to administer some Shea butter to his son’s scraped hands as the son looks on. “What’s that?”
“The best stuff in the world for hands that look like this,” Dad says as he thinks back to that angel in a hoodie he knew for a minute’s worth of time he will always get to keep.
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You’re so funny. Let’s hope. I’ll do anything for a kid.
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Which means you’ve lost your training wheels, lady. 🙂
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My halo is still at half mast, I’m sorry to inform you. My good intentions aren’t always well received. I’m learning to not pounce. He was young and well mannered. Could have worked out differently. It’s Noo Yawk after all. 😳
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The attempt is the thing, SB. Noo Yawk notwithstanding, you never minded the expectations and went with the impulse to do some good. The fact that it ended well is bonus round.
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You’re kind. I rarely mind my own business and the trouble is, I notice everything. It’s two parts writer, four parts growing up in a crazy, alcoholic home where you had senses like a cat. Nothing eludes me. sigh
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It’s our great good fortune that you are who you are. 🙂
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I don’t take praise well I’m afraid. My kindness stems from not receiving it most of my life. I try to be the change I want to see, to quote Gandhi, that alas, may not in my lifetime.
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I’ve noticed that about you. But I’m so damned stubborn.
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You’re very sweet.
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Susannah, this is so sweet; I can imagine how that little guy felt…and you were his special angel. I’m klutzy and trip a lot…and many times been helped to my feet…angels to the rescur.
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I trip all the time. It’s part of my charm. 🙂
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This is sweet. Keeping it on the low so you don’t embarrass him. Everyone takes a tumble now and then (it’s the great equalizer) but everyone wants to look cool.
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He definitely needed to look cool. He got up at lightening speed. 🙂
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He was cool!
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Well done ☺️
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Thank you.
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I thought I heard a bell this week—and I mean that sincerely. :O)
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That’s from the great film, It’s a Wonderful Life, whenever an angel gets her wings a bell rings. Mine was probably more like a cow’s bell. 🙂
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LOL :DDD.
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You have everything but physical wings — a full-fledged angel. What a wonder you are!
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I’m not. It’s just when it comes to a kid I can’t help myself.
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I want an angel just like you!
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Take a number. 🙂
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Okay, I take 1.
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First time here – over from Marc’s Sorryless. Angel in training? Now that made me smile. Although you received the alien look, good for you for reaching out to the boy.
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I love Sorryless, he’s new to me but inspires one to visit and spar with his comments that are not only intelligent, but funny…re peckerhead. As for arthritic angels in our midst, one tries to be perfect but well, let’s just say this angel wears her halo a little off-centered. 🙂
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Off-centered angels are OK. After all, it takes all kinds to make the word go around. Sorryless has a brilliant and unique way of writing. Yes – intelligent and witty – I’ll add snarky. … but peckerhead was my line. 😉
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Love the term snarky. A friend of mind belongs to a theater group, a herd of women, who call themselves the Snarks.
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The world needs more people who put aside their feelings of fear or inadequacy to be kind and generous…people who are angels like you.
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My angel reference was so in jest. I don’t deserve the title. I’m more selfish than you think and much too selective who I help. It’s nice of you though, to think so well of me. 😊
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Well, you are an angel in the making then.
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I’m taking my halo out of the box. Saks had a sale. 😇
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I always picture you as a true human angel in the midst of the mayhem of NYC. You see people not the mass crowds that (after living in Japan) can become the norm of faceless people as you move in tandem with the crowd.
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I’m hyper vigilant and do notice more than the average person. Must have been a cub reporter in another life. 🙂
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