Post #3 TRAVELOUGE

I was nervous, from all the late night news I heard over the years (probably starting when I was 12).  My mother's excessive "Be careful!"'s echoed in my head.  

I was nervous, but my eyes wandered looking out the frothy train window, dirty from the past week of hustle and bustle.  My eyes caught each new post that went by--And he 

clutched my hand. 

I turned from my inner self to look at him. He was sitting in the same plastic brown seat next to me,  he smiled.  He could tell how exciting this was for me, it was my first trip in without an adult.  He didn't mind my selfish excitement, even though it was Valentine's Day (and our one year anniversary).

_____________________________________________________

It is funny, I don't remember the words that passed between us that whole train ride.   I just remember looking out that window and occasionally laughing with each other.   

When we got into the station I remember the color grey. Lots of grey. Pavement, steel bars, industrial-ness, some yellow and lots of people.  I want to say a good many in suits, but since Valentine's fell on a Saturday I can't imagine this recollection of work traffic accurate.

____________________________________________________

I acted as though I knew it all, like "been there done that". Threw my head up tall. Put on the attitude the city so well hisses.  And the steps. When we got to the steps-- the stench of stale, dirty air that smelled of old food on pavement.  This gust of air engulfed us, as we proceeded the steep steps from the underground. We arose invigorated. 

We in the middle of Times Square.